Parliament, Thursday, 14 May 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation today considered and adopted its Budget Vote 6 report for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The committee is cognisant that DIRCO’s 2026/27 budget rises only marginally to about R7.23 billion (2%). However, the increase is largely eroded by inflation and exchange-rate pressures, limiting the department’s ability to meet its expanding mandate.
The committee notes that economic diplomacy is the central strategic focus, with emphasis on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, trade and investment promotion, regional integration, and leveraging South Africa’s global platforms such as the G20, BRICS, the Southern Africa Development Community and the African Union.
The Chairperson of the International Relations and Cooperation Committee, Mr Supra Mahumapelo said that the major operational risks remain a serious concern with a 26.3% vacancy rate, under-resourced missions, slow ICT modernisation, and the poor condition of some overseas properties, which continue to weaken delivery.
The African Renaissance Fund remains an important foreign-policy tool, with support for humanitarian aid, conflict mediation, election observation and development projects, while the department is urged to speed up its transition to a full development agency called South African Development Partnership Agency.
The Chairperson called on DIRCO to show clearer economic results, strengthen mission performance, address staffing and digital weaknesses, and engage with National Treasury urgently on budget and currency pressures. Nonetheless, he still recommends that Budget Vote 6 be passed.
The committee noted the continual absence of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation at its meetings and will write to the Minister to provide reasons for his absence, as it unacceptable that the committee passes its budget and yet the Minister is unavailable to account for it.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION, MR SUPRA MAHUMAPELO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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