By Kopano Dibakwane
A Public Participation Programme was hosted by the Deputy Minister of DIRCO(Department of International Relations and Cooperation), Thandi Moraka, alongside the
Mpumalanga Provincial Government, SANParks(South African National Parks),
Mpumalanga MEC for DEDT(Department of Economic Development and Tourism), Jesta Sidell, at Ntunda Community Hall in Nkomazi Local Municipality, on Saturday 28 February 2026.
DEDT said the meeting was also attended by Interim Chairperson of MTPA(Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency), Fish Mahlalela, and other senior government officials.
“The objective of the outreach initiative is to ‘take foreign policy to the people’ by creating, enhancing, and strengthening dialogue between government and South African citizens on matters relating to international relations, policy positions, and their impact on domestic development,” said DEDT.
DIRCO spokesperson, Babalwa Mavuso, said the community imbizo was focusing
South Africa’s role as interim and upcoming Chair of SADC(Southern African Development Community).
“ South Africa is the interim Chair of SADC for the period November 2025 to August 2026, following Madagascar’s decision to relinquish its Chairship due to political developments in the country. Furthermore, South Africa will assume its annual rotational Chairship of the regional bloc in August 2026,” said DIRCO.
The outreach included a tourism excursion for members of the diplomatic corps and a cocktail reception for diplomats and targeted provincial stakeholders. Most importantly, it reportedly afforded the community an opportunity to engage with diplomats from SADC and other countries.
The deliberations reportedly also touched on the impact of climate change and how to strengthen resilience against natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
Nkomazi is counted amongst the communities that have suffered devastating losses during the recent floods. The collaboration between government and traditional leaders was highlighted as a vital intervention saving lives and livelihoods, by
ensuring that residential stands are allocated away from riverbanks, thus reducing the risk of future flood damage.
ensuring that residential stands are allocated away from riverbanks, thus reducing the risk of future flood damage.
