19 July 2011, Midrand- The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hosted a Conference on 12-14 July 2011 of all South African Heads of Mission.

The meeting brought together all South African Heads of Mission from a hundred and twenty-four missions in a hundred and ten countries for an engagement on issues critical to the delivery of South Africa’s foreign policy priorities. The Conference focused on how South Africa’s foreign policy can concretely support delivery on domestic priorities, as well as strategising on South Africa’s responses to national, regional and global developments. The panel discussions focused on the role of South Africa and the contribution that Heads of Mission can make to achieving South Africa’s desired foreign policy outcomes in the respective thematic areas.

The NEPAD Agency was represented by Mrs. Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong, Head of Programme Implementation and Coordination Directorate, who spoke about the mandate of the NEPAD Agency and the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative.  Click here for more information on this initiative.

The last day of the Conference saw all Ambassadors and High Commissioners undertaking Provincial Visits that, it was anticipated, would assist them in re-connecting and interacting with ordinary South Africans and appreciating the challenges at the community-level.