Ronald Lamola

Ronald Lamola (born 21 November 1983) is a South African lawyer and politician who is the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation as a Member of the National Assembly of South Africa since 22 May 2019 as a member of the African National Congress (ANC). He was Minister of Justice and Correctional Services from May 2019 to June 2024. He is a member of the ANC's National Executive Committee and National Working Committee. Lamola had previously been involved in the African National Congress Youth League. Quotes It is an honor to serve my country in this new role. My experience in justice, which involved multilateral issues like the Human Rights Council, the Rome Statute, extradition law and international agreements, is invaluable. While justice focuses more on domestic matters, there was an external component as well. I bring that experience to this portfolio, which expands into geopolitics, trade, investment and bilateral agreements. South Africa-U.S. relations are dynamic and evolving, built on consistent engagement for mutual benefit. We continue to collaborate on trade, with many American companies investing in South Africa, creating jobs and contributing billions of dollars. Both countries share key values including democracy, a free press and an independent judiciary. These values strengthen our bond and set a positive example for the world. Programs like the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief have been mutually beneficial, especially in combating HIV/AIDS. We see significant growth in trade and foreign direct investment, with South African companies also investing in the U.S. We look forward to further strengthening this relationship. We are pursuing specific programs with the U.S., which we discussed during our visit to Washington. One proposal is for structured annual engagements between the U.S. State Department and Congress. We are also focusing on adding value to South Africa’s critical minerals for local manufacturing, innovation and industrialization, which are essential for technologies like electric vehicles, AI and smart devices. This includes investment in green hydrogen and new energy sectors, where collaboration between U.S. and South African companies can play a key role. External links Category:Living people Category:African National Congress politicians Category:Lawyers from South Africa Category:Government ministers of South Africa Category:1983 births