ANC government gave Cuba R1.4 billion but cannot maintain South Africa’s embassy buildings

Between 2012 and 2022, the ANC government spent R1.4 billion on aid and agreements with Cuba, a diplomatic relationship that did not benefit South Africa.

During the same time, South Africa’s embassy buildings and foreign assets are collapsing, and maintenance is desperately needed.

This was shared by National Assembly member Ryan Smith, citing information shared by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Ronald Lamola.

Lamola said that the cumulative estimated cost of renovations to South Africa’s embassy buildings and foreign assets currently stands at R830 million.

This estimate is based on the condition reports for the embassy buildings and foreign assets over a three-year period.

The cost of renovations to foreign assets belonging to the South African High Commission to the United Kingdom (UK) currently stands at R170 million.

The cost of renovations to foreign assets belonging to the South African Embassy in the Netherlands currently stands at roughly R110 million.

“These figures have laid bare the shocking state of maintenance neglect within South Africa’s foreign assets and buildings,” Smith said.

“These assets have suffered under decades of mismanagement and warped financial priorities under the African National Congress (ANC).”

“Much like the local municipalities run by the ANC here in South Africa, our embassies are now a shell of their former selves.”

He said that South Africa’s embassies should be the backbone of South Africa’s economic diplomacy agenda and the nation’s outward face to the world.

However, these embassies have been systemically underfunded and undermined by the ANC government.

The ANC versus South Africa

Smith said that the ANC’s international priorities lie in appeasing its international allies rather than advancing its national interest.

“For context, it is estimated that between 2012 and 2022, the ANC spent R1,4 billion on aid and agreements with Cuba,” he said.

“This is a diplomatic relationship that has done nothing more than secure some of our country’s tobacco supply.”

“This money could have been spent on building and maintaining our key diplomatic infrastructure, the cost of which has now reached crisis levels.”

He added that the ANC sought to renew these agreements with Cuba in parliament just last month.

Amith argued that South African diplomacy will never advance as long as the ANC prioritises its political whims in DIRCO rather than what South Africa needs.

“We will fight for a reprioritised DIRCO budget that places foreign service at the centre of our growth agenda and away from the ANC’s party-political programme,” he said.

“South Africa will not be taken seriously on the international stage until we adopt a genuinely non-aligned foreign policy with a keen focus on economic diplomacy.”

“The DA, as a member of the Government of National Unity (GNU), advocates for a foreign policy that places the national interest ahead of party-political allegiances.”

“Taxpayer money that funds DIRCO’s budget is not meant to keep the ANC’s international friends afloat.”

He said this money is meant to fund a professional, capable foreign service that grows our economy and creates jobs.

“We can only do this when DIRCO’s budget is rightfully spent on building and maintaining our embassies, not propping up failed dictatorships abroad.”