Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Thandi Moraka, paid a courtesy call to the Vice President of the Republic of Colombia, Ms Francia Márquez, in Bogotá on the margins of the CELAC-Africa High-Level Forum held from 18 to 21 March 2026.
The meeting underscored the warm and cordial bilateral relations between South Africa and Colombia, which have continued to flourish since the establishment of diplomatic ties in April 1994, shortly after the dawn of democracy in South Africa.
A key milestone in the relationship was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations in March 2015 in Bogotá. This instrument provides a structured framework for advancing cooperation in trade and investment, social development, the exchange of best practices, and joint efforts within multilateral organisations.
Deputy Minister Moraka and Vice President Márquez used the opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation and explore new avenues for collaboration, particularly in the context of South-South solidarity. Discussions also touched on shared priorities such as addressing global inequalities and strengthening partnerships between Africa and Latin America.
The courtesy call built on previous high-level engagements, including Vice President Márquez’s official state visit to South Africa in May 2023. During that landmark trip – part of her broader African tour that also included Kenya and Ethiopia – Márquez met with then-Deputy President Paul Mashatile and engaged on strengthening ties in education, technical cooperation, trade, and development. The visit highlighted the potential for deeper economic links and reinforced commitments to mutual support on the international stage.
Both sides expressed optimism that continued high-level dialogue, such as this week’s meeting in Bogotá, will translate into tangible benefits for the peoples of South Africa and Colombia. As emerging economies facing similar developmental challenges, the two nations are well-positioned to champion a more equitable global order through enhanced partnership.
