Diplomacy South Africa, in collaboration with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and Mochochonono Group, recently hosted a high-level Defence Infrastructure Resilience & Protection Briefing in Roodepoort.
The session brought together Heads of Mission, Defence Attachés, and diplomatic representatives for an engagement focused on strengthening infrastructure security and resilience.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to connect the diplomatic corps with South Africa’s private sector, highlighting local expertise in addressing modern security challenges facing embassies and defence institutions globally.
Showcasing a Proudly South African Security Manufacturer
Mochochonono Group, a company founded over 20 years ago by Mr Bennet Matsonga and currently owned by Ms Kedibone Loate, hosted the engagement at its operational facility. The company is a black-owned enterprise with women in management leadership and employs over 300 full-time staff.
The session underscored the company’s long-standing contribution to South Africa’s security sector and its ability to deliver high-quality protective solutions across multiple industries.
DIRCO Highlights Importance of Industry–Diplomatic Collaboration
The presence and support of DIRCO reinforced the South African government’s commitment to promoting local industry on a global stage. The engagement demonstrated how South African companies are capable of producing world-class security solutions, while also strengthening relationships between diplomatic missions and local manufacturers.
Insights into Defence, Police, and Security Supply Chains
The main presentation was delivered by Mr Sakhile Siwela, from Mochochonono Group, who highlighted the company’s role in supplying protective systems to a wide range of South African entities, including defence, police, and private security sectors.
His presentation focused on the importance of resilience, quality assurance, and adapting to evolving threats in today’s global security environment.
Facility Tour
A key highlight of the briefing was the guided tour of the facility. Delegates observed first-hand how different grades of bullet-resistant products are developed by the staff.
The diplomatic delegation also interacted with staff on-site and visited the showroom, where a range of protective solutions was displayed, offering deeper insight into the company’s capabilities and operational standards.
Strong Diplomatic Participation Across Africa
The event was attended by several distinguished representatives, including:
- Ambassador of Mali
- Ambassador of The Gambia
- High Commissioner of Gabon
- Defence Attachés from Somalia and Senegal
- Diplomats from Guinea and Ghana
This strong representation reflects growing interest in South Africa’s defence and security capabilities across the African continent.
Strengthening Security Through Partnership
The engagement highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and the diplomatic community in building secure and resilient environments.
As global security challenges continue to evolve, initiatives like this serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, partnership-building, and showcasing practical solutions that contribute to safer diplomatic and defence operations worldwide.
