Mr Bobby Moroe, an alumnus of the North-West University (NWU), is clearly rising up the “diplomatic ladder” and was appointed to serve for four years as South Africa’s deputy high commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in December 2017.

Bobby will also serve as acting high commissioner until a permanent appointment is made.

It was by sheer academic accident that he followed the path of international relations. He initially wanted to enrol for a law degree, but there was no place available. Instead, he enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in administration and political science – then regarded as the preserve of female students.

Since completing his degree, Bobby has served the department with distinction and dedication for 14 years, and remains committed to contributing to championing South Africa’s foreign policy. He is a passionate scholar and writer with qualifications in international relations, political science, peace studies and public administration.

Advice to those planning to study international relations

“My advice to aspirant diplomats, and students of International relations, is that, if you are particularly interested in the foreign service, make sure you are knowledgeable about the history of your country, literature, government and economics. Environmental and scientific expertise have become increasingly useful as well. Although not a requirement per se, foreign language competence is becoming necessary,” says Bobby.

As both deputy high commissioner and acting high commissioner, Bobby’s responsibilities include:

• Promoting trade and investment opportunities for South African and Nigerian captains of industry, through robust economic diplomacy strategies.
• Positioning South Africa as a preferred investment and tourism destination for Nigerian nationals and encouraging joint ventures.
• Making use of a robust public diplomacy strategy to project South Africa positively, and highlight its contributions to issues such as human rights, multilateralism, the African Agenda and other engagements such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS), India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
• Promoting and encouraging people-to-people movement, and cultural interaction between the citizens of South Africa and Nigeria.
• Promoting sound and mutually beneficial socio-economic and political relations between South Africa and Nigeria.
• Encouraging mutual respect, tolerance and overall cooperation between the two countries.
• Overseeing the overall strategic management and leadership of the South African High Commission in Abuja, and its Consulate in Lagos. (The Consulate in Lagos is apply led by Darky Africa (Consul-General), a seasoned administrator and former member of the executive council (MEC) in the North-West Provincial Government.)

NWU alumnus Bobby Moroe is flying the SA flag high in Abuja, Nigeria.