Switzerland and South Africa reaffirmed the strength and depth of their longstanding bilateral relationship during the Swiss National Day Reception held at the Residence of Switzerland in Waterkloof, Pretoria, on Thursday.

Hosted by H.E. Mr. Mirko Manzoni, Ambassador of Switzerland to South Africa, the reception brought together representatives of government, the diplomatic corps, business, civil society and other stakeholders to celebrate Switzerland’s National Day while reflecting on the growing partnership between the two countries.

Representing the South African Government was Honourable Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services, who delivered the keynote address.

Celebrating diversity as a source of strength

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Manzoni reflected on the significance of Swiss National Day and the history of the Swiss Confederation, while drawing parallels between Switzerland and South Africa.

Switzerland, he noted, is a country of four official languages and 26 cantons, while South Africa has 12 official languages. Despite their differences, both countries have demonstrated that diversity can coexist with national unity.

Ambassador Manzoni also reflected on his diplomatic career and his experience working in countries affected by conflict and political instability. He said his experience had shaped his appreciation for dialogue and the importance of choosing cooperation over division.

Since arriving in South Africa in 2023, the Ambassador said he had travelled across all nine provinces, giving him an opportunity to experience the country’s diversity, resilience, beauty and challenges firsthand.

Minister Groenewald highlights South Africa’s diversity

Minister Groenewald echoed the Ambassador’s remarks, emphasising the importance of national identity, diversity and mutual respect.

Welcoming guests in several languages, including English, German and Setswana, the Minister said the country’s diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a source of division.

He highlighted South Africa’s constitutional commitment to diversity and noted that South African Sign Language had become the country’s 12th official language.

For Minister Groenewald, the national anthems played at diplomatic occasions provide a powerful reminder that countries can maintain their distinct identities while working together towards a shared future.

“Strength in our diversity.”

The Minister also praised Switzerland for its political stability, respect for differences and long-standing democratic traditions, joking about Switzerland’s frequent referendums and its famously disciplined approach to traffic rules.

A relationship built over more than a century

The Swiss–South African relationship has deep historical roots.

According to Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the first Swiss consulate in South Africa was opened in Pretoria in 1887, with the representation elevated to embassy status in 1960.

The relationship has since expanded well beyond diplomatic representation to encompass trade and investment, science and research, education, skills development, culture, peace mediation and multilateral cooperation.

Minister Groenewald pointed to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to Switzerland in October 2025 as an important recent milestone in bilateral relations. The visit was the first South African state visit to Switzerland since the advent of democracy.

During that visit, South Africa and Switzerland signed instruments concerning cooperation in arts, culture and heritage, as well as peace mediation and democracy resilience. Switzerland also supported the repatriation of heritage objects belonging to the Nkuna Royal Family.

Trade, investment and skills at the heart of the partnership

Economic cooperation was another major theme of the reception.

Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs reports that bilateral trade between Switzerland and South Africa exceeded CHF 5.8 billion in 2025. More than 100 Swiss companies have subsidiaries or production facilities in South Africa, employing approximately 50,000 people.

The two countries also maintain extensive cooperation in science, research and innovation. Their Swiss–South African Joint Research Programme, established in 2007, has supported scientific and technological cooperation between researchers in both countries.

Skills development and vocational education remain another important area of cooperation. During President Ramaphosa’s 2025 State Visit, South African and Swiss leaders highlighted Switzerland’s dual vocational education and training model as an area from which South Africa can continue to learn.

Switzerland’s role in peace and mediation

Minister Groenewald also acknowledged Switzerland’s contribution to international peace and mediation.

The Minister referred to Swiss engagement in countries including Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, highlighting the value of dialogue at a time when international tensions increasingly threaten cooperation.

Ambassador Manzoni similarly placed dialogue and peacebuilding at the centre of his reflections, drawing on his own diplomatic experience in countries affected by conflict and political instability.

The shared emphasis on mediation reflects an important dimension of Switzerland–South Africa relations: cooperation that extends beyond bilateral interests to wider efforts to promote peace, stability and multilateralism.