Today, Monday 30 March 2026, I had one of the coolest and most inspiring days of my life so far. I walked into the Embassy of Ecuador in Pretoria wearing my navy suit and striped tie, feeling excited but a bit nervous.
This wasn’t some Model UN simulation or just another classroom talk. This was the real deal, and I was right there in the middle of it.
How It All Happened
The whole meeting was made possible by Mr. Mndeni Mthabela, the founder of Diplomacy SA. He’s done an amazing job creating a platform that helps young people like me connect with embassies and learn about international relations here in South Africa.
I’m really grateful to him for setting this up and for believing in students who are passionate about global stuff. He even posted the photos afterwards, calling me a future diplomat and saying it was a proud day watching a future diplomat engage with the Ambassador of Ecuador. That honestly meant a lot to me.
Meeting the Ambassador
Once inside, I got to shake hands with H.E. Dr. Mauricio Montalvo Samaniego, Ecuador’s Ambassador to South Africa. We stood right in front of Ecuador’s bright yellow, black, and red flag with its cool coat of arms. That handshake felt pretty special, like a South African kid connecting with a real diplomat from the other side of the world.
A Lesson in Humility
The thing that surprised me the most was how humble Ambassador Montalvo was. He has had such an impressive career – he’s been Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, their Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador to the Organization of American States, and so much more.
He could have been super formal, but he wasn’t at all. He was really down-to-earth. At one point, he even went and made coffee for us himself. It was such a small, kind thing, but it made everything feel more relaxed and friendly.
It taught me that real diplomacy isn’t just about fancy titles and rules. It’s also about being respectful, warm, and treating people well no matter how old or important they are.
The Conversation
We sat down in the lounge and had a proper conversation. He told me about Ecuador’s incredible nature — the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains, and the Pacific coast.
We talked about what it’s actually like representing a country like that on the world stage. We also discussed the relationship between Ecuador and South Africa, why working together internationally matters, conservation, and even how young people can get involved in diplomacy.
He also showed me some framed certificates on the wall, including one from Harvard where he got his LL.M., and we chatted about how learning never really stops in this field.
Seeing Ecuador Up Close
I got to look through a beautiful big book about Quito, Ecuador’s historic capital. The pictures of the old colonial buildings and culture were amazing — it made the whole country feel so much closer and more real.
I also took some proper photos in front of the Embassy banner and the colourful posters showing Ecuador’s beaches, turtles, waterfalls, and historic places. Standing there with my hands together, I just felt proud and like so many possibilities were ahead.
What I Took From This Experience
This visit made me even more excited about the things I love — history, politics, and everything to do with the world. It showed me that diplomacy really starts with being curious, having respectful conversations, and trying to connect people and countries.
Even though Ecuador and South Africa are far apart, we actually have a lot in common when it comes to protecting the environment and working together globally.
I left the embassy feeling pumped up and even more motivated to keep going — whether it’s through Model UN at Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria, learning new languages, or grabbing chances like this in the future.
A Word of Thanks
To Ambassador Montalvo — thank you so much for your time, for being so humble, and for making the coffee yourself. Your kindness really stuck with me.
To Mr. Mndeni Mthabela from Diplomacy SA — thank you for organising this and for always supporting young people who want to get into diplomacy. I’m super grateful.
Looking Ahead
Days like today remind me that the world is huge, but also more connected than we think. Sometimes all you need is the courage to walk through that embassy door and the willingness to listen and learn from people who’ve been doing this for years.
I’m really looking forward to what comes next, and I’m definitely keeping that passion for diplomacy alive and strong.
Marciano Domingo
Future Diplomat
