Dear readers, friends of South Africa,

2020 has thus far been a challenging year. In the midst of a global pandemic, the Embassy too, has had to adapt to changing present-day reality, in support of the German Government’s efforts to combat this global health emergency, whilst seeking to intensify bilateral political, economic, trade and investment relations between South Africa and Germany, in pursuit of South Africa’s national priorities.

In addition,  the Embassy had been involved in several repatriation missions to reunite stranded South Africans with their loved ones. Out of adversity, the Covid19 pandemic has presented an opportunity for South Africa and Germany to intensify its heath cooperation and health diplomacy, which is further detailed in this edition of the Embassy’s newsletter. It further provides an update on the Covid19 status quo in South Africa and seeks to highlight the Embassy’s virtual engagements.

We recall the wise words of Tata Madiba, when he said “It is in your hands to make a difference”, and we urge everyone to continue to remain responsible and vigilant, to practice safe social distancing measures, to ensure the correct wearing of a nose and mouth covering and to practice good hand hygiene, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization.

We hope you that you and your families will remain safe and healthy.

With warmest regards

Ambassador Stone Sizani Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa to the Federal Republic of Germany

(Picture Credit: fotodesign-klaus-dombrowsky.de)

On August 17, 2020, South Africa has moved to level 2 of the “risk-adjusted strategy” in the fight against the pandemic. The Cabinet decided on the change together with health experts, provincial and local governments. Important for the tourism sector: Domestic travel activities are allowed again, even across provinces. International travel remains restricted, except for repatriation of South African citizens.

The changes will take effect as soon as the new regulations are adopted. A brief summary of President Ramaphosa's statement can be found under the link provided below.

read more

Home Affairs Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, has issued directions in line with the National State of Disaster Regulations to extend the validity period of legally issued visas, which expired during the lockdown period, to 31 October 2020. The directions extend the initial validity period from 31 July 2020 to 31 October 2020. This means that lawfully issued visas, which expired from 15 February and during the period of the lockdown, are deemed to be valid until the end of October 2020. Holders of such visas are permitted to remain in the country under the conditions of their visas until 31 October 2020.

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International Nelson Mandela Day was inspired by a call the former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela made for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices.
Mandela Day is a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy, it is a global movement to honor his life’s work and to change the world for the better.

On this day, Ambassador Sizani in a video message reflected on the significance of this important day. Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, the Embassy this year restrained from personally meeting the homeless shelter at Bahnhofsmission, in order to prevent any potential risk, especially for them.

read more and watch video

On 19 May 2020, a historical technical collaborative meeting between the RKI and the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the SA National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) was convened on Covid- 19. The discussions were based on the agreement by President Ramaphosa and Chancellor Merkel to intensify Covid -19 collaboration. The South African Department of Health and the South African Embassy together with the German Foreign Ministry were also in attendance.

On 30 April 2020, Minister Plenipotentiary Cassimjee attended a video conference with Robert-Koch-Institute's (RKI) Professor Hanefeld and team on Zentrum für International Gesundheit's (Centre for International Health, ZIG) cooperation with South Africa during the recent Corona outbreak and possible areas of cooperation between Germany and South Africa on promoting health diplomacy.

On 4 June 2020, Ambassador H.E. Mr Phumelele Stone Sizani and Mr Yunus Hoosen, Head Invest at South African Department of Trade and Industry took part in a Webinar on Economic opportunities for engagement with South Africa with Mr Mario Ohoven, President of the biggest association of German Middle Class Economy, BVMW (Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft).

Every year, in August, South Africa marks Women’s Month to pay tribute to more than 20.000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. On the 30 July, government officially launched the 2020 Women’s Month which has been commemorated under the theme “Generation Equality: Realising women’s rights for an equal future”. The concept of Generation Equality is a global campaign and links South Africa to global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the African Union (AU) Chairperson, has assured African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, of his unwavering support in the execution of his duties to promote the Free Trade Agreement, which creates a single market for AU member states, with a combined population of over one billion and a total gross domestic product of about US$2.5 trillion.

President Ramaphosa has also assured the Secretary-General of the AU’s commitment to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA, as a practical contribution to the economic development of Africa. He welcomed the progress achieved thus far in the implementation of the 12th AU Extraordinary Summit.

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South Africa's Government will in the coming months expedite the implementation of at least 50 infrastructure projects with a total investment value of more than R340 billion. The fast-tracking of the projects forms part of the reconstruction and recovery of the South African economy. This was the key outcome of the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted Council of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) on Thursday, 30 July 2020.

read more

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has committed to support the local Covid19 fight by handing over PPE to the Eastern Cape Health Department frontline workers and aiding the Port Elisabeth branch of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) to boost its testing capacity. On 24 June 2020, Volkswagen South Africa also handed over a Covid19 facility in Port Elisabeth.

read more

The ambitious township delivery service Yebo Fresh, a tech-driven food delivery company catering exclusively to Cape Town townships is booming as it delivers thousands of fresh food orders a day. The company has expanded rapidly under lockdown. Households can order goods online, via Whatsapp, or over the phone with a call-back feature, and have them delivered to their doors. Demand has been so great, the company is looking to expand nationally.

read article

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and BMW Group South Africa are supporting the South African government in its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by providing 750 new hospital beds. BMW Group South Africa, which operates a production plant in Rosslyn in the Gauteng region, is providing the project with financial assistance of around 2.7 million euros. BMW Group has been involved with various social projects in Gauteng for almost 50 years and will continue with this during the coronavirus crisis as an investment in the community and its employees.

read more (in German)

22 representatives of a new generation of artists' from South Africa, who process the daily life of the people in their work are showcased at a Special exhibition on South African Art at the premises of the Royal Porcelain Manufactory (Königlichen Porzellan Manufaktur- KPM), Wegelystraße 1 | 10623 Berlin | Free admission! Due to the great demand during the first days of the exhibition from now on extended opening hours until 5 September 2020: Thu + Fri (except 27 August) 15 - 19 h, Sat + Sun 12 - 19 h. The South African artists have worked for months towards the exhibition and created amazing artworks.

The full portfolio of 22 South African artists is available in two online-catalogues

The 2020 Goethe Medals are being awarded to Bolivian multidisciplinary artist Elvira Espejo Ayca, British writer Ian McEwan and South African writer, publisher and curator Zukiswa Wanner. The Federal Republic of Germany’s official honour is conferred by the Goethe-Institut every year on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to international cultural exchange. The prize was awarded by the President of the Goethe-Institute, Klaus-Dieter Lehmann, on 28 August, the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, in a virtual ceremony. The theme of this year’s awards was “Accepting Contradiction – the fruits of contradiction.”

watch short portrait of Zukiswa Wanner

Nibs Van der Spuy is one of the most extraordinary and exciting world acoustic guitarists to come out of South Africa. Raised in the fertile province of Kwazulu-Natal, he immersed himself in his natural environment to create a truly consummate and original sound. His last Germany Tour in 2008 was a great success! Now he will be back despite the Corona crisis and you will find the tour dates by clicking below!

read more & tour dates

Please help the South African Mission keep track of South African citizens currently residing in Germany. By voluntarily registering, you do assist the mission to determine the number of citizens living in the country and to be able to contact you and your family in South Africa in the event of an evacuation, natural disaster, family emergency etc. Furthermore, your contact details (which will be handled in a strictly confidential way) enable the Embassy to provide you with information related to Embassy events, registration for general election, etc. |+| go to register form