Pretoria - South Africa has added another feather to its cap after the World Affairs Council in Washington named the country as the 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Diplomatic Service Award.
The award was received on Tuesday night by South Africa’s Ambassador to the US‚ Mninwa Mahlangu‚ on behalf of the South African government.
South African is the first African country to receive this award.
The award recognises organizations who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to global education, international affairs and global communications.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa is truly humbled to receive the prestigious award.
“This recognition will further inspire and encourage our diplomats who work 24/7 around the world to advance our country’s national interests,” the Minister said on Wednesday.
South Africa’s international engagements are driven by the foreign policy vision of a united African continent that is peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable.
“In pursuit of our foreign policy vision, South Africa’s diplomacy is informed and guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu; I am because you are. It speaks to our core humanity, inter-dependence and co-existence,” Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said.
She said the award comes at a time when South African diplomats are focussed on achieving the goals set out in the National Development Plan.
“The pursuit of economic diplomacy, promotion of education and skills development and other priorities of government as articulated in the 9-point plan as announced by President Jacob Zuma.” – SAnews.gov.za
