Wien: Talking to the South African Ambassador, Rapulane Molekane

South Africa is in the spotlight – media report of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and political controversies, and about social inequalities persisting. Neighbouring countries experience challenges as well. Are there also encouraging developments? Does Austria pay enough attention to developments in South(ern) Africa, be it in foreign politics or in economics? This FORUM provides an opportunity to discuss these and other issues with an insider who is no stranger to the SADOCC community.

Ambassador Rapulane Molekane, born and educated in Soweto/Johannesburg, started his political activism with the Young Christian Students (YCS) and was President of the Soweto Youth Congress (SOYCO) in the mid-1980s and Secretary-General of the ANC Youth League 1990-94. After serving in Parliament for one periode, he joined Foreign Affairs and became South African High Commissioner to Ghana, Deputy Director-General: Europe and then Ambassador to France. Since 2019, he serves as South African Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia and Permanent Representative of South Africa to the International Organisations in Vienna.