By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

At the 2026 Foreign Policy Outlook: Advancing People-Centered Development, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, delivered a keynote address at the working brunch in Rustenberg, North West. 

“In the last few days, these dangers have become glaring and have tested the very meaning of international law and durability of mulitlateralism…The unilateral military strikes carried out by the United States of America against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse from Venezuelan territory to stand trial in the United States point us back to what Mandela meant when he spoke of the dangerous times haunting the world.” said Minister Lamola in his address. 

The majority of Minister Lamola’s address was focused on ideals shared by the first democratic President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and the sentiments he shared about the dangerous state of the globe and how his words reflect the global tensions plaguing the world today. 

This approach follows the tensions rising between Venezuela and the United States and how America’s actions reflect an authoritarian age. 

Earlier this week Lamola expressed that South Africa will not hold its tongue in terms of voicing their disagreement with how the United States have managed their affairs on the Venezuela conflict and has also said that South Africa will not silence itself due to fears that they may antagonize America.

 “Obviously it’s unpredictable with us, but South Africa has to continue to stand on the side of principle. International solidarity and collective action are what have brought stability to the world since the second World War. We can’t be back in a period after the first World War where there were no rules or words based on International Law” said Lamola earlier this week at an ANC event.

 The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have been very vocal about their condemnation of the Trump Administration over their seizure of Venezuelan resources.

 Lamola in his address also highlighted the grueling effects of inequality, emphasising that only 10% of the world’s wealthiest people, own 75% of global wealth as well as Africa’s debt increasing by more than 180% since 2010. 

Africa also has the worst debt crisis in the last 80 years according to the African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative. Lamola also expressed that between South Africa and Zimbabwe there lies 90% of the world’s platinum group metals and are looking towards these resources to curb the debt crisis in Africa.