By Frans Sello waga Machate I Pretoria, South Africa
PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa received Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Dr Johann Wadephul for a courtesy call at the Union Buildings on Thursday, following the German minister’s official bilateral talks with the South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola.
The meeting formed the centrepiece of Wadephul’s working visit to South Africa on 22 and 23 July 2026, which also included discussions with Lamola on the implementation of the recently adopted Joint Action Plan and the enhancement of high-level political dialogue between the two nations.
Wadephul, who is concluding a four-day Africa tour that included stops in Mauritania and Nigeria, emphasised the historical depth of relations between the two countries.
“The foundations of friendship between Germany and South Africa were laid 30 years ago by Helmut Kohl and Nelson Mandela,” Wadephul said in a statement following his meeting with Ramaphosa.
“Mr President Cyril Ramaphosa, it was a great honour to exchange views with you on how we can further develop this foundation and strengthen the ties between our nations during a period of geopolitical turbulence,” he said.
The courtesy call came at a pivotal moment in bilateral relations. In April 2026, the two countries elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership during the 12th Meeting of the South Africa-Germany Bi-National Commission in Berlin, marking three decades of the mechanism first established following President Nelson Mandela’s State Visit to Germany in 1996.
Discussions between Lamola and Wadephul focused on economic cooperation, the Just Energy Transition and global geopolitical developments. Germany remains South Africa’s largest trading partner in Europe, with bilateral trade valued at approximately R295 billion in 2025. More than 600 German companies operate in South Africa, employing approximately 100 000 people.
The high-level working visit also addressed what reports described as a “strong rebuke of US plans to sideline South Africa from the G20”. Lamola had earlier expressed South Africa’s appreciation for Germany’s principled support for an inclusive G20, following the country’s hosting of the first G20 Summit on African soil in 2025.
Talks covered expanding trade and investment, green industrial growth and cooperation on critical raw materials. The ministers also discussed the development of a battery value chain and the Just Energy Transition Partnership, which supports South Africa’s shift towards cleaner energy.
The visit underscored the depth of a relationship anchored in shared democratic values, extensive economic ties and a common commitment to multilateralism; a partnership that, after three decades of the Bi-National Commission, has now entered a new chapter as a Strategic Partnership.
Wadephul’s Africa tour marked his third visit to the continent within months, reflecting Germany’s strategic focus on expanding relations with African partners. His engagements in Pretoria reaffirmed both nations’ commitment to international law and multilateral cooperation.The courtesy call at the Union Buildings followed earlier discussions between Wadephul and Lamola, which covered regional peace and security challenges, including the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.
