Cyril Ramaphosa hails Germany-South Africa relations

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has promoted relations with Germany, hailing the two nations as important trading partners as he met with the German chancellor, Angela Merkel.

The German leader is on her Southern Africa tour where she intends to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation. Ramaphosa made those remarks as he welcomed the chancellor to Pretoria.

Cyril wants to capitalize on the fact that Germany is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner. Germany has also a significant investor in the South African economy, a tourism destination for South Africans, and a developmental partner. With growing pressure over a 30 percent unemployment rate debacle domestically, Cyril encouraged German companies to expand their investments in the country.

Ramaphosa pointed out how he is pleased with the increased investment by German investors into the South African economy. Cooperation that he hopes will continue to foster job growth in key economic sectors. On the topic of Libya, the South African leader pointed out his desire for there to be African solutions for African problems. Cyril also pointed out the unique nature of the Libyan situation given there are external parties involved in the conflict.

South Africa is Germany’s most significant African market. Of the 2 percent of her goods exported to the continent, South Africa accounts for 1.2 percent of that. Angola will be Merkel’s next stop. Part of the agenda on the German leader discussed with the South African president was climate change, the Libyan war, and trade. There are over 600 German companies doing business in South Africa, according to data with the Southern Africa- German chamber of commerce and industry.

The recent power outages have also been a discouraging sign for many investors, a situation the South African leaders aren’t taking lightly.

Merkel also gave insights on how Germany had been able to move away from coal. It is worth noting that South Africa relies on coal for 89 percent of its energy needs while Germany plans to completely scrap it by 2038.

 (PHOTO: EPA-EFE/KAMIL ZIHNIOGLU)