Department of International Relations & Cooperation Strategic Plan 2012
International Relations
15 February 2012
Chairperson: Mr H Magama (ANC)
Meeting Summary
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) presented its Strategic Plan for 2012 to 2017. A significant initiative of DIRCO in 2012 would be the replacement of the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) with the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA), which should be set up as a separate juristic person by 1 April 2012. The Foreign Service Bill was another initiative of DIRCO this year, and the rationale behind this legal instrument, to address the specific needs and work of DIRCO, was explained. It was noted that since the implementation of the Protocol on Trade in 2000, intra-SADC trade grew 155%, although intra-regional trade remained relatively low. Intra-African trade accounted for 12% of cross-border trade. Asia had become
Members asked wide-ranging questions, but few could be answered, due to time constraints and it was noted that further presentations would be given on the strategic plan, the Foreign Service Bill and the SAPDA, as well as the African Union Commission. Members suggested the need for a protocol for provinces and local government to follow when they signed agreements. They queried the position of civil servants and foreign diplomats under the Foreign Service Bill, and which legislation governed their activities. They queried why no mention was made of exports to
Meeting report
Department of International Affairs and Cooperation Strategic Plan 2012-2017
The Chairperson welcomed Members, as well as Dr Horst Freitag, the German Ambassador to
Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Director-General, Department of International Relations and Cooperation, noted that the work of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO or the Department) was divided into four budget programmes of International Relations and Cooperation, Public Diplomacy and State Protocol, Administration, and International Transfers.
The planned policy initiatives of the Partnership Fund for Development (the Fund) were to create a Board of Trustees for oversight purposes, remove the necessity for the concurrence of Ministers of International Relations and Finance for approval of projects, and make the head of the South African Development Partnership Agency (SADPA) the accounting authority for the Fund. He noted that SADPA would have a strong emphasis on project and programme management and monitoring and evaluation. The Partnership Fund would replace the African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund (ARF) as a separate juristic person. The Fund would also provide for direct transfer of funds from multiple sources and foreign donors directly into the Fund, and provide for Audit Functions by the Office of the Auditor-General. This Fund had been approved by National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), and was now under consideration at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. It was hoped to launch the Fund on 1 April 2012, to phase out the ARF and phase in to SADPA.
The second initiative for 2012 was to pass the Foreign Service Bill. Mr Matjila explained that the public service in South Africa was established in terms of section 197 of the Constitution and was governed by the Public Service Act of 1994 (PSA). DIRCO was a Schedule one department regulated by the PSA. The conditions of service applicable to the foreign service were determined by the Minister of DPSA. However, the mandate of DIRCO was neither legislated for nor specifically articulated in the Constitution. The Foreign Service Bill was needed because DIRCO operated in an international environment that was not taken into account by the PSA. It needed to take different legal systems of various countries, as well as their cultures, into account in its work. DIRCO was bound by international obligations, treaties and protocols, and had oversight over other government departments on aspects affecting international relations, including being the custodian on international law and international agreements within government, and regulating and accrediting foreign representation and interactions within the organs of the state. DIRCO provided employment in missions abroad, offered assistance to South Africans abroad, and conducted financial transactions abroad, including the possibility of purchase of properties and assets. This Bill would clarify and strengthen the role and responsibility of DIRCO with regard to Foreign Policy and the roles of the Heads of Mission (WOM) as co-ordinator.
Mr Matjila said the global environment was characterised by a major shift in global, economic, and social dynamics. This included the realignment of new economic powers, new media and social networks, innovations, environmental change, and formations of new economic and political groupings challenging the established political order.
He then addressed the Arab-Israeli conflict, the increasing tensions between the West and
He reported that the South African Development Community (SADC) was relatively stable, but there were a number of internal challenges. Intra-SADC trade had grown 155% since the implementation of the Protocol on Trade in 2000. However, intra-regional trade remained relatively low.
Asia became
Mr Matjila showed a map displaying the major political and economic trends in Africa, classifying countries into ‘moderate to strong growth’, ‘conflict hotspots’, ‘elections’, ‘stable outlook’, and ‘monitored’. He said the situation was better than ten years ago.
He then discussed socio-economic development trends, reporting that intra-African trade accounted for 12% of cross-border trade, and commented that this was a worrying percentage. He reported on
In regards to the enhanced African agenda and sustainable development, Mr Matjila reported that the SADC approved Minister Dlamini Zuma as the candidate for chairing the African Union (AU) Commission in February 2012.
Mr Matjila emphasised DIRCO’s commitment to strengthening the political and economic integration of the SADC, especially through pursuit of negotiated political solutions in
Mr Matjila noted at this point that time constraints prevented the whole presentation being made, so he referred to specific slides (see attached presentation). Slides 39 and 40 referred to
Slide 47 presented a graph of South African trade with
Mr Matjila summarised that State Protocol Services included the management of ceremonial events, international visits and conferences, and management of State Protocol lounges, guest houses and related facilities. DIRCO provided Protocol services to provincial and local government. It facilitated accreditation of Heads of Diplomatic and Consular Missions. DIRCO also managed the implementation of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act. He remarked upon the growing Diplomatic Corps in
Finally he touched upon human resources, noting that DIRCO had worked hard to reduce vacancies, as shown on slide 64. The human resources unit strove to maintain an efficient, effective, economical and fully capacitated department.
Discussion
Ms L Jacobus (ANC) stated that there needed to be a protocol around provinces and local governments signing agreements.
Ms Jacobus commented on the Foreign Service Bill and acknowledged the need to fall in line with the PSA. She assumed that foreign diplomats, being part of the civil service, fell under the PSA but asked if the same applied to support staff.
Ms W Newhoudt-Druchen (ANC) also sought clarification on which legislation governed staff who were working abroad.
Ms Jacobus noted that the IBSA agreement came into force eight years ago, yet nothing was said about exports to
Ms Jacobus emphasised the need to do a lot ‘more work on the continent’, since intra-African trade was only at 12%, and enquired what DIRCO was doing to address this.
Mr I Davidson (DA) asked if it was DIRCO’s intent to rescind the ARF Act, and if so, asked on what basis the new fund would be governed. He also asked for clarity on the relationship between the rationale for the legal instrument and the legal instrument itself.
Ms Newhoudt-Druchen asked where the Fund fitted into the organisational structure.
Ms Jacobus asked for an in-depth explanation of the Partnership Fund for Development and the replacement of the ARF with SADPA. She asked why the ARF could not be amended, instead of being replaced.
Mr B Skosana (IFP) asked what conditions applied to the new Fund and who headed it. He remarked that there must be a direct relationship between the head of the Fund and the management of the projects. He also agreed on the system of a rung-for-rung basis, but questioned who determined the projects themselves.
Mr Davidson understood the need to diversify trade out of
Mr M Booi (ANC) requested a more in-depth explanation of the Foreign Service Bill, and asked if DIRCO was also seeking any Constitutional amendments. He wondered if this Bill would be all-encompassing.
Mr Booi felt that too little was said about the AU Commission.
Mr Skosana asked whether the Committee needed to endorse the candidacy of Minister Dlamini Zuma, and what benefit this would offer.
Mr Booi welcomed the situational analysis on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistics, but felt that it needed to be more comprehensive.
Mr Booi asked if
Mr Booi asked for a breakdown of DIRCO’s figure of R873, 9 million for South African contributions to international organisations, and if this was paid in full and on time.
Mr B Skosana (IFP) suggested that written questions should be furnished to the Department, in view of the shortage of time.
The Chairperson noted that the Committee and Department would be holding another meeting to engage on the strategic plans and suggested that questions could be asked now, although they may only be addressed later. He also said that Members should direct any further questions to DIRCO via the Committee Secretary. He suggested that the discussion on the Quarterly Report must be postponed.
Ms C September (ANC) said that DIRCO must be careful to avoid unintended consequences of new legislation.
Ms September asked for the international relations five-year objectives for
Ms September asked DIRCO to comment on the National Planning Commission’s assertions that South Africa was faced with overlapping regional affiliations and commitments, which she cautioned would not be useful.
Ms Newhoudt-Druchen was pleased to note the strengthening of protection against on violence based on sexual orientation, but also said that whilst the AU agenda discussed human trafficking, but that was not prioritised in the Strategic Plan.
Ms Newhoudt-Druchen asked what the Department was doing to promote national diplomacy countrywide.
Ms Newhoudt-Druchen welcomed the youth programmes but asked what programmes were implemented on foreign affairs.
Mr Skosana asked what determined the stability of the countries.
Mr Skosana recalled that when the Department last presented, it had mentioned 10% intra-African trade and asked how the improvement to 12% had come about.
Mr Skosana said that
Mr Skosana questioned state protocol services, saying that there were many difficulties, and security services should be consulted as they remained ultimately responsible for security activities.
Mr B Elof (DA) asked if manufacturers knew what was being imported, as this knowledge would help them to assess what was lacking in the market and create jobs.
Mr Matjila said that the Members asked very important questions. He prioritised his replies to questions, due to time constraints.
The Chairperson added that the Committee would be briefed on the AU Commission at another time.
Mr Matjila answered questions about SADPA and the ARF, noting that in December 2007 the ANC had adopted a resolution on the South African Development Partnership Agency, to move forward and seek cooperation, coordination and mutual understanding. He noted that
The Chairperson said that the Committee had engaged with the DIRCO on other occasions, on SADPA. He also noted that the Foreign Service Bill needed to be addressed further.
Mr Matjila noted that South African staff working abroad would be governed by local laws.
The meeting was adjourned.
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