#SONA2021: Minister Pandor on the big takeaways from Ramaphosa’s SONA speech

Last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the state of the nation address in South Africa, nearly one year after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country. One department that has been particularly active during South Africa's lockdown is the International Relations Department. To gain insights on how the president's address impacts the department's work and South Africa's global image, CNBC Africa spoke with International Relations Minister, Naledi Pandor. During the interview, Minister Pandor emphasized the importance of Africa in South Africa's foreign policy. She highlighted the recent African Union summit where the African Continental Free Trade Area was operationalized. This move aims to boost manufacturing on the continent and enhance intra-African trade, not just limited to South Africa. The minister stressed the need for economic diversification and identifying strategic economic sectors for development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and across the continent. President Ramaphosa's focus on job creation and attracting foreign direct investment was also discussed. Minister Pandor shared that South Africa is actively engaging with the international business sector through investment conferences to support the country's economic goals. She mentioned encouraging South African companies operating globally to maintain good business practices and strong social relationships in host countries. The conversation shifted to the synergy between trade and foreign affairs in promoting investments. Minister Pandor highlighted South Africa's diverse economy, robust infrastructure, and the potential for new business relationships with countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. The minister sees these nations as significant opportunities for South Africa to expand its economic engagements. A critical point raised was President Ramaphosa's call for South Africa to reduce its import bill by 20% over the next five years. While some may view this as a means to bolster the local manufacturing sector, concerns were raised about its impact on other SADC countries. Minister Pandor acknowledged the need to balance South Africa's economic interests with its regional and continental responsibilities. She stressed the importance of South Africa's financial sector in supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area's tariff regime to ensure smooth trade flow within the region. In conclusion, Minister Pandor reiterated South Africa's commitment to contributing to regional and continental economic growth. She emphasized leveraging South Africa's strengths to benefit its neighbors and the broader African continent. The interview shed light on the country's economic diplomacy efforts, trade relations, and the significance of collaboration within the region.