Germany (Federal 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

South Africa has a very substantial and diverse relationship with Germany. Cooperation between the two countries is multifaceted, wide-ranging, and strategic nature, covering areas including trade and investment, science and technology, development cooperation, climate change and energy, education and skills development, as well as cooperation on a range of multilateral issues. The frequent high level visits in both directions underline the strategic relationship between the two countries. Recent high level visits and interactions included the State Visit to South Africa by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in November 2018. Dr Angela Merkel, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, visited South Africa in February 2020. In 1997 during the visit of then Deputy-President Mbeki the South African – German Binational Commission was launched. The BNC has become the most important instrument through which bilateral relations are conducted. It currently consists of eight working groups, namely; Foreign and Security Policy, Economy and Energy, Labour and Social Affairs, Environment, Arts and Culture, Development Cooperation, Science and Technology, Vocational Education and Training.

The German Government views South Africa as a “global development partner” with which it seeks close coordination in international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Bank. Bilateral development cooperation focuses on energy and climate change (green economy), good governance and public administration, HIV/AIDS prevention and vocational training. Since 1992, the German Government has provided €1.07 billion in bilateral development assistance to South Africa. Germany is a leading investor in the South African economy. It invested in 84 FDI projects valued at R55.7 billion between January 2010 and November 2017, which led to the creation of 10,708 jobs. Approximately 600 German companies are represented in South Africa. During the same period, South African companies invested in 21 FDI projects valued at R10.43 billion in Germany. These investments created 1,081 jobs in Germany. Africa is Germany’s largest trading partner in Africa. Total trade reached R233 billion in 2019, while South African exports (at R108 billion) exceeded R100 billion for the first time, allowing the trade deficit to narrow. Germany as one of the leading industrial countries in the world is also a valued multilateral partner of South Africa.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Germany

H E Mr P S Sizani
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

South African Embassy

German Representation in South Africa

H E Dr M Schäfer
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy of Germany

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

South African passport holders do require a visa to enter Germany.

For more information contact the German Embassy in Pretoria.

Health Requirements

Proof of a medical insurance must be produced prior to departure from South Africa.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Germany is situated in the moderately cool Atlantic west wind zone and the eastern European continental climate. In winter the average temperature is between 1,5 degrees C in the lowland areas and –6 degrees C in the mountains. In the warmest month of the year, July, temperatures are between 18 degrees C in the low-lying regions and 20 degrees C in the sheltered valleys of the south. It rains throughout the year but mostly during the summer season.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit is the Euro. The currency is freely convertible.

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 Germany, visit the website of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.

Interest Groups and Information

Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Tel: 011 486 2775

South African-German Cultural Association

Tel: 012 807 1280