State visit of South Africa
Speech by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Karin Keller-Sutter, on the occasion of the state visit by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
Video
Speech
Mr President
Ministers
Excellencies
My fellow Federal Council members
Ladies and gentlemen
More than eight thousand kilometres lie between Bern and Pretoria. And yet, from the alpine peaks to the plateau of the Highveld, the distance between Switzerland and South Africa is relative, thanks to the similarities and close relationship between our two countries.
And it’s therefore no coincidence that we’re seeing each other for the fourth time already this year! I had the honour and pleasure of meeting you in January in Davos, in February in your country, in September in New York and now, as I welcome you to Switzerland for the second time.
There was another South African president who happened to visit Switzerland twice in one year. It was Nelson Mandela in 1997.
Back then a newspaper reported that during his official visit, Mandela had “used his considerable charm to encourage the Swiss business community to further expand its already intensive economic relations with South Africa”.
I have no doubt that you, too, will succeed in charming our business leaders – and not only them!
Mister President
While Nelson Mandela officially visited Switzerland in 1997, today is the first time that Switzerland is hosting a South African president for a state visit. And this state visit is particularly important. It symbolizes the longstanding partnership between Switzerland and South Africa, matured through decades of dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect.
History teaches us that there have also been dark times in the relationship between our two countries. I am therefore very pleased that today our relationship reflects the spirit of two countries which, though located on different continents, share varied and vibrant bilateral relations.
Let me briefly mention several domains where our cooperation is particularly intense: first trade, then mediation and democracy, and also science and culture.
In trade, South Africa is a prime trading partner on the African continent. Our countries exchange more than 4 billion US-Dollars’ worth of goods. More than 100 Swiss companies are active in South Africa, creating more than 50,000 jobs. South Africa is the first destination for Swiss foreign direct investment in Africa. In addition, South Africa is a priority country for Swiss economic cooperation.
Our countries can count on a broad set of agreements to facilitate trade and investment. And in view of current global developments, it is worth noting that already in 1997, Switzerland exempted most South African industrial goods and certain agricultural products from import duties.
I am confident that this state visit will also help jump-start the ongoing discussions to modernize our free trade agreement.
And I am particularly happy that during today’s state visit, our economic ministers will sign two memorandums of understanding with the aim of further intensifying our economic cooperation. Our relationship does not limit itself to trade. Our ministries of foreign affairs work together closely on a number of projects and activities, bilaterally as well as in international fora.
Both Switzerland and South Africa are multicultural states, with several national languages and cultures co-existing. This has taught us the importance of the culture of compromise and the acceptance of diverging opinions. Both our countries have coalition governments, so we know first-hand how important the art of compromise can be. Not always easy, I may add, but important indeed!
This is true also at the international level. In the current geopolitical context – marked by a rising tendency to resort to political hatred, polarization, and even armed violence and war to deal with differences – it is all the more important to promote and defend mediation and democracy to help prevent and resolve conflicts. South Africa, with its history and experience of overcoming Apartheid, is best placed to understand the importance of mediation and to support other countries in their search for peaceful conflict resolution.
This is why I am very glad that our ministers of foreign affairs will sign a declaration of intent today to strengthen cooperation in mediation and promoting democracy. Our countries have the background, the experience and now the institutional framework to work together internationally to jointly promote peacebuilding efforts.
I also want to mention our collaboration in the areas of science and culture.
Since 2022, our countries have worked together on the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, a globally significant project aiming to build the largest radio telescope ever constructed. This project illustrates what is possible through knowledge and scientific cooperation: bringing nations and people together and opening perspectives for the future.
The same is true for cultural diplomacy: The fourth memorandum of understanding we will sign today aims to further increase cooperation in cultural diplomacy and cultural cooperation between our countries. A fifth document to be signed is dedicated to cooperation in the field of vocational training.
Mister President, your presence in Bern today constitutes a historic moment. As I said, it is the first time that Switzerland is hosting a South African president for a state visit. And it was truly long overdue.
It is an important symbolic step in our bilateral relations. Additionally, the five agreements being signed today – in trade, vocational training, diplomacy and culture – testify to our clear willingness to intensify our bilateral cooperation.
Thank you, Mr. President, for your presence here today.
Mediagallery
Press conference
Press release
State visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa: Switzerland and South Africa strengthen relations
The state visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa is serving as an opportunity for Switzerland and South Africa to strengthen relations. On Wednesday, 29 October, five documents on future cooperation were signed.
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter
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Karin Keller-Sutter will serve as Federal President in 2025.
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Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter has been Head of the Federal Department of Finance FDF since January 2023.
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