Bilateral relations between Switzerland and South Africa

The economic interests of Swiss businesses in South Africa go back to the first half of the 20th century. In 1921 the Bally shoe factory commenced manufacturing operations in South Africa. More companies followed. In 1988 17,000 people were working for Swiss firms in South Africa.

In the 1950s South Africa became one of the most popular destinations for Swiss emigrants on the African continent. In 1960 Switzerland upgraded its legation in Pretoria to an embassy and by the end of the 19th century it had opened consulates in Pretoria and Johannesburg, and in 1916 one in Cape Town.

In the 1970s there was growing criticism of Switzerland's relations with the apartheid régime in South Africa. Accusations by third-world organizations and the church were countered by business people and the middle-class professional parties with references to its neutrality, the negative consequences of economic sanctions for the black population, the professional and social advancement of non-whites by Swiss businesses and the "communist threat". Under pressure from public opinion, the United Nations (UN) and the African states, after 1986 the Federal Council played a more active role in the process of democratic change in South Africa. In the spring of 1994 the first general parliamentary elections took place. The fact that they were held according to the rules and that Nelson Mandela was elected President were promising signs of change.

Since the change of régime in 1994 Switzerland has engaged in a range of supporting measures:

• A special programme to encourage good governance, education and agricultural reform
• Support for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with financial aid and experts
• Establishment of the "Swiss-South African Cooperation Initiative"
• Setting up of a mediation office for industrial conflicts (with the International Labour Organization)
• Installation of an early warning system at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria
• Establishment of a forum of specialists in constitutional matters
• Support for the Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) and the Trade Law Centre (Tralac) at the University of Stellenbosch