{"id":2465,"date":"2025-07-25T11:56:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T11:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/toronto\/?page_id=2465"},"modified":"2026-03-31T07:52:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:52:55","slug":"bilateral-relations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dirco.gov.za\/toronto\/bilateral-relations\/","title":{"rendered":"Bilateral Relations"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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South Africa \u2013 Canada Relations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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The scope of bilateral relations between South Africa and Canada is extensive with cooperation extending into the areas of development, energy, science and technology, agriculture, mineral resources, education, arts and culture, and transport.<\/span><\/p><\/header>

The historic bilateral relationship between South Africa and Canada dates back from one of the most difficult times in our country\u2019s history and is characterised by a generosity of good spirit amongst our two peoples. Canada supported the international campaign against apartheid and following South Africa\u2019s democratisation, it assisted with reconstruction and development efforts. In recognising Canada\u2019s role in the fight against Apartheid, the South African Government awarded former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney with the Order of the Companion of OR Tambo in Gold on 8 December 2015.<\/p>

Bilateral cooperation is coordinated within the framework of a Declaration of Intent on Strengthened Cooperation, which was signed in 2003 and which laid the foundation for the Annual Consultations (AC). The AC is co-chaired by the Director-General of International Relations and Cooperation and the Deputy Minister of Global Affairs respectively. Under the AC the two countries meet annually (alternating between South Africa and Canada), and are convened at a Senior Officials\u2019 Level.<\/p>

Former President Nelson Mandela undertook a State Visit to Canada in September 1998. President Mandela was presented with Honorary Canadian Citizenship, one of only five ever, amongst them the Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi and Raoul Wallenberg and more recently, Malala Yousafzai. Former President Thabo Mbeki paid a State Visit to Canada in 2003. There was a reciprocal State Visit by the former Canadian Governor General, Micha\u00eblle Jean, to South Africa at the end of 2006 which focussed particularly on socio-economic issues. This was the first ever visit by a Canadian Governor General to Africa.<\/p>

President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook an Official Visit to Canada to participate in the G7 Outreach Summit held in Charlevoix on 8 and 9 June 2018. The President was accompanied by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa. President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the margins of the Summit. The meeting between the two Leaders was the second in 2018 as they also met briefly in April on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which took place in London. Former President Zuma had on a previous occasion met with Prime Minister Trudeau in the margins of the 2016 G20 Summit in China.<\/p>

Other exchanged high-level visits include the visit of the former Governor General of Canada, Mr David Johnston to South Africa in May 2013 and the visit of former Deputy President of South Africa, Mr Kgalema Motlanthe, to Canada in November 2013. Ministerial visits have been exchanged and are reflective of the broad spectrum of cooperation between the two countries.<\/p>

  • Visit by the South African Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Gwede Mantashe to attend the PDAC 2020 Trade Show and Convention from 29 February to 4 March\u00a02020<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula to attend the 40th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Assembly from 24 to 29 September\u00a02019<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Ms Thokozile Xasa for the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings in May\u00a02019<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, in September\u00a02018<\/strong>\u00a0to participate in the Carnegie Meeting.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, for the Women Foreign Ministers\u2019 Meeting in September\u00a02018<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Matt DeCourcey, to South Africa in April\u00a02018<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant, to Canada in March\u00a02018<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, to Canada in September\u00a02017<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, to Canada in September\u00a02017<\/strong>\u00a0and June\u00a02018<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, Mr Ahmed Hussen, to South Africa in August\u00a02017<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Justice, Ms Jody Wilson-Raybould, to South Africa in March\u00a02017<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Michael Masutha, to Canada in September\u00a02016<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit by the former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande, to Canada in May\u00a02016<\/strong>.<\/li>
  • Visit of the Minister of Mineral Resources, Dr Ngoako Ramathlodi, to Canada in March\u00a02015<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>

    Canada\u2019s Development Assistance to South Africa focuses on strengthening service delivery, HIV and AIDS and rural development. The Canadian Government has made available CAN $33 million to fund developmental projects, such as the Nelson Mandela Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>

    In what could be interpreted as a sign of Africa\u2019s growing importance to Canada, Export Development Canada (EDC) opened their first African office in Johannesburg in October 2015. The office will service Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    South Africa \u2013 Canada Relations The scope of bilateral relations between South Africa and Canada is extensive with cooperation extending into the areas of development, energy, science and technology, agriculture, mineral resources, education, arts and culture, and transport. 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