Dirco minister, Ronald Lamola. (@RonaldLamola/X)
Worldwide Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola used the inaugural Aziz Pahad Peace, Safety and Human Rights Dialogue to ship a scathing critique of “organisations like AfriForum”, accusing them of undermining the values enshrined within the Structure and opposing the nation’s transformation efforts.
“Organisations like AfriForum and their ilk, who pursue a special path to that of our Structure, don’t solely stand in opposition to the reconstruction of a brand new South Africa, in addition they stand in opposition to the need of the individuals,” Lamola stated.
The federal government has repeatedly blamed the civil rights organisation for its worsening relationship with the Trump administration within the US, saying AfriForum is exaggerating assaults on farmers within the nation.
It has additionally slammed the group for saying that white farmers’ land is being seized underneath the Expropriation Act, which it isn’t. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has gone to courtroom to problem the constitutionality of the brand new legislation.
Lamola’s feedback got here as he urged the federal government of nationwide unity (GNU) to recommit to the founding values of the Structure and deepen consensus by way of dialogue and negotiation.
Previous to his feedback about AfriForum, whereas talking usually about international coverage, the minister stated: “With those that maintain completely different views and perceptions, maybe we should deepen consensus-building by way of dialogue and negotiations.”
Lamola additionally took a swipe on the DA, the ANC’s greatest accomplice within the coalition authorities.
“All of us, together with all members within the authorities of nationwide unity, regardless of our completely different political persuasions, should pursue, as did Aziz Pahad with deep dedication, the purpose of remodeling our nation right into a non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa,” he stated.
“The GNU additionally took leaf from this robust basis when it declared as follows in its assertion of intent: ‘Overseas coverage primarily based on human rights, constitutionalism, the nationwide curiosity, solidarity, peaceable decision of conflicts, to attain the African Agenda 2063, South-South, North-South and African cooperation, multilateralism and a simply, peaceable and equitable world.’”
It was thus “stunning”, Lamola stated, that the DA argued that the federal government was “simply implementing ANC coverage in international affairs”, when the companions had agreed to the assertion of intent. “And it’s what we proceed to implement.”
“The federal government of nationwide unity doesn’t supersede the Structure. The assertion of intent itself commits to constitutionalism. It may’t be that after we implement what’s within the Structure, within the Overseas Companies Act, the nationwide curiosity doc and the nationwide growth plan, we’re stated to be appearing unilaterally by the DA.
“That’s what we proceed to implement. Till we’re informed in any other case by South Africans, that is the plan,” he added.
He cited the Fundamental Training Legal guidelines Modification Act, the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Act and the Expropriation Act as examples of transformative laws guided by constitutional values.
He known as on all political actors to emulate the instance of the late former deputy minister of worldwide relations Pahad, who was honoured at Monday’s occasion. Lamola described Pahad as a “true progressive internationalist” and a central determine within the crafting of South Africa’s post-apartheid international coverage.
“Identified in any other case because the ‘rebel diplomat’, because the title of his biography suggests, Aziz Pahad might be remembered … as a person of deep conviction and precept,” Lamola stated.
Pahad, who died in 2023 on the age of 82, was identified for his roles in battle mediation and multilateral diplomacy, notably in Africa and the Center East. He was a key determine within the “Renaissance Coalition” that formed South Africa’s early international coverage underneath presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and then-minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Lamola stated Pahad’s legacy lives on in South Africa’s dedication to multilateralism, solidarity and the peaceable decision of conflicts.
“Aziz Pahad performed a really energetic function in South Africa’s mediation efforts … within the Israeli-Palestinian peace course of and in negotiations within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Angola,” he stated. “He all the time understood that resolutions needs to be pursued by way of dialogue.”
Linking Pahad’s life to the broader post-apartheid challenge, Lamola highlighted the significance of redress and constitutionalism. He warned in opposition to complacency after six nationwide elections, arguing that the twin legacy of apartheid — prosperity for whites and impoverishment for blacks — stays unresolved.
Lamola additionally pressured the significance of Africa’s personal constitutional frameworks, such because the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s Growth and the African Peace and Safety Structure, saying Pahad would have anticipated South Africa to champion these initiatives.
The dialogue comes amid rising world instability. Lamola referenced knowledge from the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute which indicated that, in 2024, no less than 18 of the world’s 46 energetic armed conflicts occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.
He reaffirmed South Africa’s function as a proponent of peace, noting the nation’s assist for the Southern African Growth Neighborhood’s withdrawal of regional forces from the jap Democratic Republic of the Congo. The choice might be applied in phases, beginning with the reopening of Goma Airport to permit for tools relocation.
Turning to financial justice, Lamola warned in opposition to the brand new “scramble for Africa” which he described as disguised underneath slogans like “Africa rising” however pushed by useful resource extraction.
“Aziz Pahad was simply as distraught in regards to the new scramble for Africa … we have to be vigilant,” he stated.
Addressing South Africa’s typically strained relations with world powers, Lamola rejected requires aggressive diplomatic postures.
“I do know that there’s a craving for us to indicate that we’re brave by buying and selling insults with nations … however we aren’t in that enterprise,” he stated.
“We are going to stay agency on our principled positions and proceed to pursue our nationwide curiosity consistent with diplomatic decorum.”
He famous that whereas South Africa values commerce ties with the US, it is usually working to restore tensions and reaffirm its non-aligned stance.