South Africa House has closed: DA's Ryan Smith unpacks the Dircos neglect

South Africa House, the country's historic diplomatic landmark in London's Trafalgar Square, has closed for major renovations, sparking fierce political debate. The DA accuses DIRCO of years of neglect, poor maintenance and a lack of transparency, while government insists the closure is temporary and planned. Ryan Smith argues the controversy exposes wider failures across South Africa's foreign missions, from crumbling embassy buildings to questionable diplomatic appointments, raising serious concerns about accountability, taxpayer value and the country's global image.