Ayanda Ngwane, the AU Agenda 2063 Press Ambassador and founder of AyandaMedia, has announced her return to Abuja to resume her role as Press Diplomat at the request of the South African High Commissioner.
Having served in this capacity over a decade ago under Ambassador Mnguni during a similarly volatile period, Ngwane noted that while the responsibility feels familiar, the stakes have evolved. This time, she intends to look beyond the surface of the recurring tensions between Nigeria and South Africa.
“I have to move back to Abuja like a soldier,” Ngwane stated, reflecting on her appointment. “I did this 11 years ago under Ambassador Mnguni, leading full-scale media campaigns and damage control between our two nations during a tense period. It is both an honor and a déjà vu to be called again to mediate.”
Ngwane’s strategic focus appears to be shifting toward the systemic causes of xenophobic violence and regional friction. She suggests that the ongoing unrest is not merely organic, but is being actively fueled by shadowy political and economic actors who benefit from a fragmented continent.
“But this time, we go to the root,” she explained. “There are external interests and political actors bankrolling division, exploiting the frustration of the poor and vulnerable to turn Africans against each other. They target Nigeria, our protector, big brother, and the Giant of Africa, because they understand one truth: When Nigeria, Angola, Ghana, East Africa, and Black South Africa stand together, we are unconquerable.”
The veteran diplomat warned that internal African conflict serves as a smokescreen for the continued exploitation of the continent’s land and resources, drawing parallels to historical and contemporary issues in regions like Cape Town. She views her return to the diplomatic stage as a mission to dismantle the “divide and conquer” narratives that have historically plagued the continent.
“I will use my pen and my mic to expose the networks that profit from ‘divide and conquer’ on this continent. But more importantly, I will use them to build,” Ngwane said.
As she prepares to engage with the media and political stakeholders in Abuja, Ngwane’s message remains anchored in the necessity of continental solidarity as a defense mechanism against external interference.
“Africa must be wise. Africa must unite. When we fight each other, their plan succeeds. When we stand together, their plan fails,” she concluded. “This is not just diplomacy. This is a duty.”
