Chile (Republic of)

History of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info | Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/ Organisations

History of Relations

For some years South Africa's relations with Chile were conducted from Buenos Aires, Argentina, until an Embassy was formally opened in Santiago in March 1974. Relations were however never formally normalised until the appointment of a Chilean Ambassador to South Africa in October 1991. Current relations are maintained at ambassadorial level.

South Africa and Chile are both developing countries, share common experiences and problems and as such, can learn from each other and exchange expertise in related and relevant fields.

The relations are mainly anchored through two frameworks. Politically relations are anchored through the Joint Consultative Mechanism signed in 1998, which is co-chaired by the respective deputy ministers of Foreign Affairs. The last session of the JCM took place in Pretoria, South Africa, in September 2016. Discussions are on-going for Chile to host the next round of consultations in 2021.

Economic relations are anchored through the Joint Trade and Investment Commission (JTIC). This is led by the trade and industry entities of the two countries – Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) for South Africa and Directorate for Economic Relation (DIRECON) on the part of Chile. DIRECON is located within the Department of Foreign Affairs. The last session of the JTIC (VI) was held in Pretoria in October 2019.

Numerous high-level visits have taken place since the normalisation of relations.

In September 1997, Deputy President Thabo Mbeki paid an official visit to Chile, during which he held meetings with President Eduardo Frei, Minister Ricardo Lagos and Acting Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez.

President Eduardo Frei paid a two-day State Visit to South Africa on 12 and 13 November 1998. He was accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and some 40 top business people and captains of industry. He met with then President Mandela, then Deputy President Mbeki, and top SA business representatives, NEDLAC and trade union leaders during his visit. Several agreements were also signed during this visit.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr NC Dlamini Zuma, together with Minister Jeff Radebe, Minister of Public Enterprise, attended the inauguration of President Ricardo Lagos on 11 March 2000 on behalf of President Thabo Mbeki. During this visit Minister Dlamini Zuma and Minister Radebe also paid a courtesy call to president-elect Lagos and met with the incoming Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Heraldo Munoz on 10 March 2000.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad paid an official visit to Chile on 7 and 8 August 2000 for the convening of the first Chile/South Africa Consultative Policy Meeting on issues of Mutual interest and concern.

The Minister in the Presidency, Dr EG Pahad, visited Chile from 5 to 9 December 2000 and attended the America’s Regional Preparatory Meeting of the World Conference on Racism on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Minister of Social Development, Dr ZST Skweyiya MP, visited Chile from 24 to 30 January 2001 to meet with the Chilean Minister of Planning, Ms Elejandra Kraus, to exchange ideas and expertise on social development projects and unemployment programmes. A number of delegates from other Departments such as Health, Agriculture and Land Affairs were also included in the delegation.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Embassy of Chile organised a conference at the Chilean diplomatic Academy in Santiago in November 2001 with the theme: Chile and South Africa - Lessons and opportunities arising from Political and Economic Transitions.

The visit of Minister Mthembi-Mayanyele, Minister of Housing to Chile during March 2002, followed by a study group from the Department of Housing in April 2002, further served to diversify bilateral relations between the two countries.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Chile

H E Mr G M Monyemangene
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

TIME DIFFERENCE WITH SA:
-5 hours

Chile Representation in South Africa

H E Mr F J Berguno Hurtado
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of the Republic of Chile

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Embassy of Chile.

Travel Advisory: Warning on illegal activities abroad

South African citizens travelling abroad are strongly advised to take care not to become involved in activities which may be, or are, illegal in foreign countries. Please remember, once you leave South Africa, you are not protected by South African laws and constitutional rights. If you are arrested abroad, the South African Government cannot get you out of prison or demand your release. At most, your government can intercede with local authorities to try and ensure that your rights under the laws of the country in which you were arrested are fully observed. It can also attempt to ensure that you are treated humanely, i.e., according to those international agreements to which the country in which you have been arrested, has acceded.

Please note that the South African Government views crimes - particularly those involving illegal drugs, mercenary activities, the traffic in humans or small arms or the abuse of women and children - in a most serious light.

Health Requirements

Tetanus - immunisation recommended if more than three years have passed since last inocculation.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Hot in the North. Very cold in the South. The Central areas have a Mediterranean climate. Rain (May to August). Warmer months are November to February.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).

For current exchange rates click here.

State and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings

No Information

Bilateral Agreements

If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.

Trade Info

For current information on trade statistics between South Africa and Chile, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

No information.