The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, visited Rhodes University on Tuesday 20 October as part of a national ministerial outreach programme targetting university students studying political science.

The aim of the programme is to popularise South Africa’s foreign policy and the mandate of the Department. The programme seeks to illustrate the link between the country’s domestic priorities and the Department’s international engagement and cooperation. This will provide a space of engagement, the exchange of positions, and dissemination of information.

The Minister delivered a public lecture titled “Core Issues facing South African Foreign Policy today: Continuity and Change.” Addressing students of international studies and other members of the university community, the exchange of ideas was welcomed by both parties.

“We are a growing and vibrant Department of nearly 800 students and a growing interest in the study of International Relations,” said Professor Paul Bischoff, Head of the Department of Political and International Studies at Rhodes. “This visit provides a unique opportunity for our students and other members of the University to be addressed by the Minister during a time of great international change and indeed a sensitive time for South African foreign policy.”

The International Studies Unit alongside the original Department of Politics at Rhodes was created with the purpose of producing students of International Relations from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who would ultimately become career diplomats and members of a transformed then Department of Foreign Affairs after 1994. This programme, in operation during the 1990s, was made possible through Ford Foundation funding.

“Many of our students have pursued careers in international affairs and some of our graduates can be found in the presidency,” said Prof Bischoff. “In fact the special advisor to the Minister, Dr Edward Maloka, is a Rhodes graduate.”

“We are happy to have such a formal visit from the Minister for the first time and hope it will encourage our students to pursue careers in international relations.”