On 17 September 2018 ISCT Executive Director David Cleave and Kamen Velichkov, Senior Program Manager and Diplomatic Advisor, with Ms. Keitumetsi Seipelo Thandeka Matthews, Ambassador of South Africa to Kazakhstan, and Theo Malherbe, Counsellor, RSA Embassy, met on matters pertaining to the participation of RSA in ISTC projects in Africa. ISTC initiated the meeting as a continuation of the dialogue with the South African Embassy on matters of mutual interest, including ISTC-implemented projects in nuclear safety and in export control.

The RSA Ambassador confirmed her support to the INSC-funded project “Support to Southern African states in nuclear safety and safeguards” for which the RSA National Nuclear Regulator is a major partner. Ambassador Matthews suggested that greater efforts should be invested in securing the support of influential members of the new South African government, including the Minister of Energy Mr. Jeffrey Radebe and Minister of Health Mr. Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi, both of whom will be on working visits to Kazakhstan in the near future. It was noted that the several working meetings of the ISTC Secretariat with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) are very useful for RSA engagement with international organizations, including establishing formal relations with ISTC. The Embassy of South Africa vowed its support for such enhanced cooperation with ISTC.