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Welcome to the South African Embassy in Cairo Egypt
The year 2024 sees South Africa as once again standing up for the oppressed peoples’ and their humanitarian rights, in this case addressing the events of Gaza since October 2023. South Africa has garnered mixed reviews for its actions, in this particular case, having taken another country to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for what it views as genocidal actions. The ICJ agreed with South Africa that there is indeed a case to be made for genocide.
South Africa, in its 30th year of independence from oppression, also had the State of the Nation address by its President on 8 February 2024. The State of the Nation Address (SoNA) provides an opportunity to reflect on how far the country has come and recommit to working together to build the country envisioned at the start of its democracy in 1994. The SoNA noted the following:
– The country has made strong advances in economic growth, job creation and holding those involved in corruption to account.
– The implementation of the country’s Energy Action Plan has ensured an improved performance in its energy generation system.
– The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan is helping advance investment, bolster new economic sectors and draw more citizens into jobs.
– Through Operation Vulindlela, 19 priority reforms have been identified in focus areas to support and accelerate the country’s economic recovery.
– The collaborative effort of the public and private sectors in addressing unemployment is gaining momentum.
The government has used the last five years to recover and rebuild the country. To read more about the government’s achievements, visit: https://www.stateofthenation.gov.za/.
The expansion of the BRICS group under South Africa’s leadership in 2023 holds the potential for increased trade, strengthened bilateral relations and enhanced people-to-people cooperation. The BRICS, now enlarged to 11 countries with the acceptance of Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE into the Group, provides additional markets and opportunities to address issues of poverty, inequality and unemployment, and bettering the lives of people in all its member countries.
South Africa also put the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) into action with its first launch of trade between the country and its Southern African Development Community (SADC) partners. The AfCFTA together with the increasingly successful Inter-Africa Trade Fair, holds exciting opportunities for expanding trade in the African continent.
The year 2024 also sees South Africa, among nearly 50 other countries globally, going to the polls for elections. To date, South Africa’s elections since 1994 has provided free and fair elections and a stable political environment for a still relatively new democracy, while consolidating democracy in the country for the future.
To date, 2024 is shaping up to be another exciting year for South Africa. I invite you to accompany us on this journey. Further information on South Africa can also be found on www.dirco.gov.za. |
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Message by Ambassador N J Mashimbye,
Thank you for visiting the official website of the South African Embassy in the Arab Republic of Egypt.
This website is intended to be a useful source of information for tourists, business persons and South African expats requiring civic and immigration services. You will also find information on the activities of the Embassy. We have added links to the websites of the relevant South African government departments and entities for your ease of access.
South Africa is one of the most diversified and industrialised economies in Africa. Its well-established infrastructure and strategic location, positions South Africa as a key global hub and an attractive gateway into the rest of the Continent. It also has the most affluent consumer market in Africa.
A highly sophisticated business environment, world-class financial services sector and excellent transport links makes South Africa a preferred investment destination for multinational companies. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is the largest stock exchange by market capitalisation in the Continent, making South Africa a major financial hub in Africa. More than 180 Fortune Global 500 companies have invested in South Africa, the largest concentration in Africa.
South Africa also has a well-developed, diversified manufacturing base that has shown its potential to compete globally, and serves as a manufacturing hub to supply the rest of the continent for a number of consumer product companies. South Africa’s 13 special economic zones provide investors with targeted investment incentives, preferential tax rates and export support. The conclusion of several trade agreements makes South Africa an excellent export platform into global markets, including the European Union and the United States.
The Global Innovation Index ranks South Africa number one in innovation in Africa. South Africa is also fast becoming a technology hub in Africa and has a growing ecosystem in the tech sector ranging from technical expertise to finance support for entrepreneurs.
South Africa is abundantly endowed with precious metals. It is the world’s leading producer of platinum group metals, the sixth-largest producer of gold, has world-renowned underground mining expertise and more than 100 listed mining companies with operations in the country.
In 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa embarked on an ambitious investment drive to secure ZAR1.2 trillion in investments by 2023. As at November 2021, a total of R770 billion in investment commitments across a wide range of economic sector have been received, helping to grow our economy and create jobs.
Pharmaceuticals is an exciting new area of growth, with Aspen's Gqeberha manufacturing facility in the Eastern Cape now one of the largest global manufacturing hubs for general anaesthetics, and over 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine have been produced under contract.
The World Health Organisation chose South Africa to host an mRNA vaccine manufacturing hub with the Biovac Institute, which is a public-private partnership with government. These and other developments will also contribute to the collective ambition for the African Continent to manufacture 60% of its vaccine needs by 2040.
Energy security is another key priority for South Africa’s economic growth. The 25 preferred bidders in the fifth round of our successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) are together expected to invest around ZAR50 billion into the economy. The increase of the licensing threshold for embedded generation to 100 megawatts is likely to result in substantial private investment in electricity generation projects. A commitment by developed countries to contribute ZAR131 billion to fund South Africa’s just transition to a low carbon economy by investing in renewable energy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles, in line with the Paris Agreement, offers exciting opportunities for investors.
The South African Government is undertaking far-reaching structural reforms in areas such as energy, telecommunications technology (including data centres and undersea cables), water, and ports and rail, to improve efficiency and competitiveness, as well as drive down the cost of doing business.
The creation of One Stop Investment Shops in all the nine Provinces will assist with the provision of strategic guidance, and to reduce regulatory inefficiencies and red tape for all investors.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which officially commenced trading at the beginning of 2021, will boost intra-Africa trade and create a market of over 1bn people with a combined GDP of over US$2trn.
South Africa remains an attractive destination for tourism. There are direct flights between Cairo and Johannesburg ensuring that travelling can easily access South Africa’s excellent food and wine, wonderful beaches, great adventure travel, superb shopping, endless safari options, unique bird watching opportunities and an array of other activities. Our world-renowned cultural heritage sites are also very appealing. So, whatever your interest and hobbies, and whether you are a solo traveller, a family or a group of friends, and whether you are looking for a high-end luxury trip or a low-cost destination, South Africa has something for you!
My team and I are committed to inculcating the spirit of Ubuntu and the “Batho Pele” (People First) principles in the provision of all services, in line with our humanist approach to foreign policy and our engagement with the global community.
Should you require more information you are welcome to reach out to my team through the contact details provided on this website.
Shukran! Ngiyabonga! Thank you!
Ambassador Ntsiki Mashimbye |
