The Diplomatic Society Welcomes New Heads of Mission

TDS

31 March 2025

"South Africa’s commitment to human rights is central to its foreign policy, promoting solidarity and respect for other nations," said President Cyril Ramaphosa following the letters of credence ceremony for Heads of Mission at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria on 27 March 2025. 

“Our commitment to human rights defines our international foreign policy. We promote human rights solidarity as well as respect for other nations, and that's how we've decided to define our foreign policy,” he said. 

South Africa’s foreign policy aims to promote the prosperity of all nations, collaborating with them in a multilateral manner, and upholding the values that are significant to South Africans, Ramaphosa said. He said that some nations have drawn on South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission processes as well its constitutional principles which influenced their processes and actions. 

“We’ve got human rights advocacy in South Africa as the soft power that we spread around the world. We do so with humility, without being arrogant, and without being disrespectful to others. This is what Ubuntu is all about, this is what defines us, and we are very proud of continuing to adhere to those values and those constitutional principles,” the President went on further to explain. 

At the ceremony, Ramaphosa received Letters of Credence from Heads of Mission from 14 countries, namely Gabon, Congo, Russia, Bangladesh, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Türkiye, Japan, Mongolia, Portugal, Panama, Nepal, and Senegal. 

In presenting their credentials, the Heads of Mission noted their countries' long, historical relationship with South Africa and committed to strengthening this relationship on all levels. Many thanked South Africa for its principled stance on standing up for human rights violations on the globe and its interventions in seeking solutions for current conflicts. Many were excited to explore the art, culture, traditions and hospitality South Africa and the region has to offer, vowing to enhance the people-to-people and face-to-face interactions that is the hallmark of diplomacy. As the rich abundance of the African continent and its potential are being realised, perceptions of Africa's leading role in a changing global paradigm is gathering momentum.

The Diplomatic Society, which has for almost three decades advocated a constructive and balanced narrative of international relations and cooperation, and its partners and associates welcome the new Heads of Mission and invite them to engage and interact with its many platforms and entities.

  Heads of Mission present Letters of Credence to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa