South Africa Global development partner in southern Africa
South Africa calls itself the Rainbow Nation, in reference to its ethnic and cultural diversity. In the past, South Africa had been shunned by the international community due its policy of apartheid, under which it systematically repressed the black majority population. The impact of those decades of political, economic and social isolation can still be felt today.
Since apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa has developed into a stable democracy. The constitution it adopted in 1997 is regarded as one of the most progressive anywhere in the world. It contains, among other things, a comprehensive catalogue of human rights. The country has a free media and an active civil society. Despite its status as an upper middle income country, South Africa is currently ranked just 113th out of 189 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).
Development cooperation
In view of South Africa's regional and international significance, Germany has selected it as one of its group of six "global development partners". Cooperation between the two countries focuses on four priority areas: energy and climate ("Green Economy"); good governance and public administration; technical and vocational education and training and skills development; HIV prevention.
German development cooperation with South Africa
The development partnership between Germany and South Africa is aimed at helping the country overcome the development challenges that still persist, especially in the areas of governance, health, education and prevention of violence. The other aim of the partnership is to support global climate protection efforts and strengthen South Africa in the important role it plays for democracy, peace and stability on the African continent.
Official governmental development cooperation with South Africa began with the end of the apartheid regime. Since then, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has provided bilateral funding of around 1.6 billion euros.
At the government negotiations in November 2018, new commitments of 253.6 million euros were made for bilateral projects in 2017 and 2018. Since South Africa has already reached an advanced level of development, support was mainly provided to this particular partner country in the form of loans. Of the total sum, 224 million euros was allocated to Financial cooperation and 29.6 million euros to Technical Cooperation. The priority areas of cooperation are as follows:
- Energy and climate ("Green Economy")
- Governance and public administration
- HIV and AIDS prevention
- Technical and vocational education and training and skills development