South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Pretoria on Friday for pivotal discussions.
The visit honors the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s democracy and the 35th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall.
The South African presidency emphasized the strategic importance of the visit, highlighting mutual interests and deepening bilateral cooperation.
Steinmeier, accompanied by a business delegation of 10 German CEOs, will attend a business roundtable later in the day.
During the visit, he is set to lay a wreath at Freedom Park in Pretoria, paying tribute to South Africa’s heritage.
On Saturday, Steinmeier will briefly visit Lesotho before returning to South Africa for his flight back to Germany.
The presidency lauded Germany as a critical partner, ranking as the third-largest market for South African exports.
Germany is also a significant source of tourists and a key investor and development partner in South Africa.
In 2018, Steinmeier and Ramaphosa vowed to expand diplomatic and trade ties between their respective nations.
“We agreed to intensify efforts to grow trade and investment,” Ramaphosa stated during a joint press event in Cape Town.
Steinmeier’s current visit underscores the enduring partnership between South Africa and Germany, fostering prosperity for both nations.