PRETORIA - South Africa is finalising its engagement strategy before dispatching envoys to the US and other parts of the world.

Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says Washington remains Pretoria’s strategic partner despite the ongoing diplomatic tensions.

The United States sending Brent Bozell to South Africa is an indication that the door might still be open for Pretoria to mend frosty relations with Washington.

It’s been weeks since President Cyril Ramaphosa   promised to send out envoys to the world, including the United States to clear the air, but are the messengers ready?

On the domestic front, Cabinet has approved energy, water, visa and logistics projects, among others, as focus areas for the next implementation phase of Operation Vulindlela, a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury, to speed up implementation of structural reforms.

Corruption, too, will come under the spotlight.

Regarding crime, Ntshavheni says Cabinet has welcomed the arrest of nearly 13,000 suspects between 17 and 23 March as part of Operation Shanela.