The Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Nkoana-Mashabane, has challenged Rhodes University, and especially its students, to take advantage of the opportunities offered by her department, namely the cadet and internship programmes. The minister delivered a lecture on foreign policy last week at Rhodes.
The Minister of International Relations & Cooperation, Nkoana-Mashabane, has challenged Rhodes University, and especially its students, to take advantage of the opportunities offered by her department, namely the cadet and internship programmes. The minister delivered a lecture on foreign policy last week at Rhodes.
The year-long internship programmes, open to all students, offer people the opportunity to train to become diplomats with the cadets being trained in research in international relations, reporting and monitoring of political and economic processes, project planning and public diplomacy and the internships being occupied by postgraduate students who gain political experience and deeper knowledge of the multilateral trading system.
"After 15 years in government, it is imperative that experienced diplomats and ambassadors of today groom young South Africans to become diplomats of the future," she said.
"The aim of South Africa is not to create tenderpreneurs [who get rich on government tenders]but young people who are educated and are able to do things for themselves," she motivated.
"In the past there was an assumption that this profession is only meant for the rich, famous and the elite but it is a profession meant for anybody."
She stated that it is critical for South Africa to maintain a strong relationship with its trading countries as this is critical for the country’s political and social wellbeing, not only for the economy. She added that even with a country with a high population such as ours, we cannot attract the desired investments if we work in isolation.
"It’s also in our own advantage that we work together and help [our]neighbouring countries [so]that they also improve on their infrastructure," said Nkoana-Mashabane.
When asked about whether Zimbabwe has joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague in the Netherlands, she said, "I am not sure whether Zimbabwe has joined the ICC as countries independently choose to do so. Where the SADC tribunal is concerned, Zimbabwe has temporarily withdrawn their membership."
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) tribunal is where citizens of African countries who belong to SADC can take bring forward cases if they think the laws of their country do not serve them well. For the tribunal to be fully established and functional, it should be ratified by almost two-thirds of its 14 member countries.
She encouraged everyone to act like South Africa’s only diplomat and that it is important that South Africans immerse themselves in knowledge of the country’s international engagements. "Whether we are going to become diplomats in the future or not is something else. But it helps that we all behave like South Africa’s potential ambassadors. If you use a South African passport to any other country, remember that whatever you do by omission or commission people see South Africa in you."
Students were given a chance to ask questions at the end of the lecture and the minister provided in depth answers to them. One student asked her what changes had taken place in terms of the policy regarding Zimbabwe since the new president was inaugurated.
"The policy hasn’t changed but the tactics have. With Mbeki it was time for quiet diplomacy, Zuma on the other hand will be more vocal," she said, adding that it was time that the government stopped squabbling and dealt with the issues at hand. "We need Zimbabwe to get back on its feet, Zimbabweans have been waiting for too long."
