In defence of political ambassadors: why SA needs trusted hands in a turbulent world
High-stakes international diplomacy requires envoys with political weight, direct executive access and deep alignment with South Africa’s foreign policy mandate.
South Africa's foreign service is essential in a turbulent world. Dr. Bobby J Moroe, the deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, holds a PhD in Political Science. Ofentse Donald Davhie's recent piece suggests that some ministers have failed internationally because they had failed domestically. However, this is a false equivalence. Foreign policy is distinct from domestic administration, requiring trust, discretion, political judgement, and proximity to power.
Appointing political figures as ambassadors is crucial because foreign policy is the external expression of domestic sovereignty. Ambassadors should have a political weight, ability to express their president's stance, and understand the trade-offs made. Furthermore, political appointees can pick up the phone and call the presidency, a vital tool in today's world where personal standing matters more than protocol.
South Africa has a unique foreign policy, standing for non-alignment, dialogue over regime change, and the self-determination of the Palestinian people. To defend these principles in various capitals, you need someone who is politically trusted and astute. Former ministers, with their political weight and knowledge of executive responsibility, are well-suited for this role.
While career diplomats are essential, they should not be the only ones. A mix of both career diplomats and political appointees strengthens foreign policy. The best foreign services in the world combine continuity with access, with each bringing unique skills to the table. In today's world, marked by wars, tariff wars, AI governance, and the battle for critical minerals, South Africa cannot afford to rely solely on career diplomats as trusted envoys.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
