Minister Richmond to begin St. Patrick’s Day visits to Mozambique and South Africa

Minister for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond TD, will this afternoon begin his St. Patrick's Day visits to Mozambique and South Africa.

Minister Richmond will be guest of honour at St. Patrick's Day events in Maputo, Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town and will take part in business and trade-related engagements. He will also visit Irish Aid programmes in both Mozambique and South Africa. In Mozambique, he will travel to the Inhambane region to visit a school, maternal health and food security initiative supported by Ireland. The Minister will later visit the Alexandra Township in Johannesburg where Irish Aid supports a youth-focused initiative. Minister Richmond will also visit Robben Island prison, where Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were incarcerated.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister Richmond said:

South Africa is an important partner for Ireland and has the largest Irish diaspora on the continent of Africa. I look forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day with new and old friends.

The solidarity Ireland displayed during the dark days of apartheid is well known across South Africa and underpins our partnership today. I am particularly looking forward to visiting Robben Island to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela and the many others who were imprisoned there. This will also be an opportunity to pay respect to Irish humanitarian workers laid to rest in the nearby cemetery.

Our historical and cultural links with South Africa have developed into a strong trading partnership, one that will only grow in the years ahead. I will meet with business groups to discuss how best to increase Ireland's trade and investment flows with South Africa and countries across the region in the years ahead. I am also looking forward to meeting our dynamic Irish community groups in South Africa. Irish citizens alone number almost 40,000 people and cultural and people-to-people ties are vibrant.

Speaking about the visit to Mozambique, Minister Richmond said:

This year sees Ireland and Mozambique celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations. When Ireland opened its embassy in Maputo in 1996 the country was emerging from the shadows of a horrific civil war. Despite challenges, Mozambique has since experienced sustained growth and progress, and I look forward to continuing our partnership and bilateral relationship with Mozambique to contribute to addressing poverty and vulnerability in one of the world's poorest countries.

Irish Aid programmes continue to have a strong impact on people's lives. I will visit a school, maternal health centre and a food security programme funded by Ireland, benefitting people in an economically deprived region.

ENDS

11 March 2026