House Chairperson,
The ACDP notes the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s 2024/25 budget allocation of R6.57 billion, which is a 5% reduction in the context of the Medium Term Development Plan 2024–2029. South Africa is dependent on global trade and financial inflows. This makes us particularly exposed to the global economic developments and comes when, in the short space of two months, global developments already have had a significant impact on the domestic economic outlook.
The ACDP further notes Cabinet’s allocation of R226.5 million for the G20 presidency. But this honour must be leveraged to restore credibility, not squandered on divisive ideological alignments. South Africa’s foreign policy must serve our people’s interests, not partisan politics or performative diplomacy.
While we welcome DIRCO’s stated aim to boost economic diplomacy and support South African investments across the continent, the ACDP raises serious questions over both budgetary priorities and foreign policy direction.
We support initiatives like the Lesotho Highlands Water Project and plans for the Grand Inga Dam in the DRC which, if finally realised, could meet regional energy needs. We also take note of South Africa’s role in advancing economic partnerships in sectors such as green hydrogen, water resource management, oil and gas, and intra-African trade, underpinned by 46 structured bilateral mechanisms.
However, the Department’s continued insistence on a “human rights–based” foreign policy rings hollow when applied selectively. This government has, on the one hand, claimed neutrality on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, yet on the other hand, has rushed to take legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, falsely accusing it of genocide. These actions contradict our stated commitment to non-alignment and diplomatic balance. They come at a cost: R35 million is already allocated for ICC-related proceedings, with a further R36.6 million earmarked in 2026/27. The ACDP strongly opposes this misdirection of taxpayer funds at a time when our diplomatic capital with key partners, especially the United States, is rapidly eroding.
This erosion is particularly evidenced by the U.S. recently suspending military cooperation with the SANDF and pausing all peacekeeping operations involving our country.
Equally troubling is the 17% cut to HIV/AIDS aid from the USA – impacting one of the highest-burdened HIV countries in the world, due to America scrutinising its massive aid budget worldwide. At which point the ACDP again, expresses its heartfelt thanks to the United States for its remarkably generous help over the decades in our fight against AIDS.
The expulsion of our ambassador to the United States should be a wake-up call. We have more urgent – and beneficial – work to do, repairing relations with Washington, than cozying up to Tehran, no matter how many promises may be owed to them.
A recent article in The Epoch Times highlighted the dangerous rise of anti-Semitism masked as anti-Zionism, warning that some progressive movements provide cover for this under the banner of social justice. We ignore such warnings at our peril.
The ACDP will not approve this vote. I thank you.
