THE government says South Africa’s diplomatic role in the international community is becoming increasingly respected. The deputy director-general for multi-lateral affairs in the Foreign Affairs Department, Abdul Minty, referred to a recent conference on progressive governance for the 21st century that President Thabo Mbeki, as the only representative from Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, attended alongside various other western world leaders. President Mbeki’s diary for the rest of the year is crammed with scheduled visits to foreign countries, and all these invitations indicate what influence South Africa has, Minty said. He said world leaders agree with South Africa’s position that poverty presents the greatest threat to globalisation.
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