Hellenic Republic

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

Relations with South Africa - Political relations

Historically the role that South Africa and especially General Jan Smuts played in the Second World War is still remembered favourably in Greece. General Smuts is seen as having been responsible for preventing Greece from being included behind the Iron Curtain at the end of the war. South Africa has maintained strong ties with Greece largely because of the Greek community in South Africa, numbering more than one hundred thousand. Bilateral relations between Greece and South Africa are cordial. President Stephanopoulos paid a State Visit to South Africa in October 2002 and Minister Dlamini Zuma paid an official visit to Greece in June 2003.

Economic Relations

Trade between South Africa and Greece has increased substantially over the last two years. The Greek outward investment activities in South Africa are estimated at US$350m, a figure, which reportedly exceeds US$700m, if investment by expatriate Greeks is taken into account as well. Such investments primarily appear to be targeted at financial services, shipping, foodstuff, manufactured products and commerce. Greek related investment in South Africa is estimated to be accountable directly for ±100 000 job opportunities.

Development aid to South Africa:

The Greek Government has donated 200,000 US Dollars towards the building of a small health clinic for children. The Ministry of Health opted for the area of Sebokeng, Vaal Triangle, and the necessary formalities are reaching completion, which will allow for the beginning of the relevant works.

The Greek Ministry of Sport has donated some 40,000 US Dollars for assistance to sport facilities in Soweto and Alexandra.

The Greek Government is offering three to five scholarships per year to South African students for tertiary education studies in Greece. Most of these scholarships are given to students from the less privileged sectors of the South African society.

School projects have also been funded.

Diplomatic Representation

South African Representation in Greece

H E Ms B R Sisulu
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

The consular jurisdiction servicing Serbia will be moved from the South African Embassy in Athens, Greece to the South African Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria, with effect from 02 February 2015. The South African Ambassador in Athens, Greece, His Excellence Mr Makgetla still remains accredited to Serbia as a non-resident Ambassador.

South African Embassy

Greek Representation in South Africa

Vacant
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Embassy in Pretoria

Travel Info

Visa Requirements for South Africans

For more information contact the Consular Section at the Greek Embassy in Pretoria.

Health Requirements

There are no health requirements for visitors to Greece from from South Africa. However, there is a strict ruling on Codeine. Visitors to Greece should note that the analgestic/cough suppressant Codeine is prohibited in this country. Visitors are warned that possession of medicines containing Codeine could result in prosecution. The public is urged to ascertain that Codeine is not present in medicines that are taken to Greece. Medicines that often contain Codeine are pain killers, cough mixtures and cold remedies.

For further information go to Travelers' Health.

Climate Info

Mediterranean. Summers are very hot and dry. Winters are milder in the south and the rainy season is November to March.

Clothing: Cool clothes for summer with a jersey for the evenings. Warm clothes for winter and rainwear for November to March.

For up-to-date weather information click here.

Currency Info

The monetary unit of the currency is the Euro.

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

Interest Groups and Information

National Association of Hellenic Student Organisations of South Africa NAHSOA

PO Box 4906

Johannesburg 2000

Tel : (011) 782 6002

Hellenic Cultural Movement

Tel : (011) 893 1376 or 873 6804

Fax : (011) 873 6383

The Federation of Hellenic Communities in South Africa

PO Box 2399

SAXONWOLD 2132

Tel : (011) 484 4560

Fax : (011) 484 4579

saigreece@outlook.com