South Africa is also under pressure from the recent extreme weather conditions. Chancellor Scholz’s visit comes at the right time – and shows potential for closer cooperation.
South Africa, which is plagued by chronic power shortages, relies on Germany’s energy transition know-how to modernize its energy sector.
“Germany has experience in switching from fossil fuels to other energy sources, and we want to build on this experience,” said Minister Naledi Pandor, responsible for international relations, on the sidelines of the reception for Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed this after his meeting with Scholz. With a view to the numerous economic problems in the country due to extreme weather and also the long-lasting corona restrictions, he said to the Chancellor: “Your visit comes at a time of reconstruction and recovery.” This also applies to the development of a green energy economy, in which hydrogen should also play a role. The Cape State’s energy industry, with its chronic electricity problems, currently depends more than 70 percent on coal-fired power plants.
Potential for expanding relationships
Pandor explained to the TV broadcaster eNCA on Tuesday that Germany, as the country’s third most important trading partner, has potential for expanding economic relations.
“We have had wonderful relations under the leadership of Chancellor Merkel and hope to continue to build on the existing foundation with Chancellor Scholz,” she said. Around 600 German companies are active in South Africa, Germany’s most important partner country in sub-Saharan Africa, including corporations such as BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Siemens and Continental. The trade volume of the Cape State with Germany is given as 266 billion Rand (15.7 billion euros).
The country with 60 million inhabitants is the only African country to belong to the G20 group of leading economic powers. Scholz also invited South Africa as one of five guest countries to the G7 summit in Elmau, Bavaria, at the end of June. Germany currently chairs the group of seven.
Chancellor Scholz was greeted by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the morning with military honors and a gun salute at the seat of government in Pretoria and introduced to the members of his cabinet.
Source: Stern
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