| Post: | Minister |
| Body: | International Relations and Cooperation |
| Flag: | Flag of South Africa.svgborder |
| Flagsize: | 110px |
| Flagcaption: | Flag of South Africa |
| Insigniasize: | 100px |
| Insigniacaption: | Coat of Arms |
| Department: | Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
| Incumbent: | Ronald Lamola |
| Incumbentsince: | 30 June 2024 |
| Style: | The Honourable |
| Appointer: | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Appointerpost: | President of South Africa |
| Inaugural: | J. B. M. Hertzog |
| Formation: | 1927 |
| Deputy: | Alvin Botes Thandi Moraka |
| Salary: | R2,211,937[1] |
| Website: | Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation is the foreign minister of the South African government, with political responsibility for South Africa's foreign relations and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. The present minister is Ronald Lamola, who was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 30 June 2024.
After the creation of the Union of South Africa as a British dominion in 1910, its foreign relations were initially carried out by the British Foreign Office. However, in 1927 the South African government established a Department of External Affairs. From 1927 until 1955, the Prime Minister also served as foreign minister.[2]
| Minister | Party | Incumbency | Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| J. B. M. Hertzog | NP/UP | 1927–1939 | The foreign ministry was held by the Prime Minister |
| Jan Smuts | UP* | 1939–1948 | |
| D. F. Malan | NP | 1948–1954 | |
| J. G. Strijdom | NP | 1954–1955 | |
| Eric Louw | NP | 1955–1958 | Government of Prime Minister J. G. Strijdom |
| 1958–1964 | Government of Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd | ||
| Hilgard Muller | NP | 1964–1966 | |
| 1966–1977 | Government of Prime Minister B. J. Vorster | ||
| Pik Botha | NP | 1977–1978 | |
| 1978–1984 | Government of Prime Minister P. W. Botha | ||
| 1984–1989 | Government of State President P. W. Botha | ||
| 1989–1994 | Government of State President F. W. de Klerk | ||
| Alfred Baphethuxolo Nzo | ANC | 1994–1999 | Government of President Nelson Mandela |
| Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma | ANC | 1999–2008 | Government of President Thabo Mbeki |
| 2008–2009 | Government of President Kgalema Motlanthe | ||
| Maite Nkoana-Mashabane | ANC | 11 May 2009 – 26 February 2018 | Government of President Jacob Zuma |
| Lindiwe Sisulu | ANC | 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 | Government of President Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Naledi Pandor | ANC | 30 May 2019 – 30 June 2024 | |
| Ronald Lamola | ANC | 30 June 2024 – present |