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 South Africa |  Australia |
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The Commonwealth of Australia and the Republic of South Africa formally established diplomatic relations in 1947. Australia is home to one of the largest South African communities abroad with approximately 189,230 South Africans living in the country. [1] Both countries are members of the Cairns Group, Commonwealth of Nations, G20, Indian Ocean Rim Association and the United Nations.
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 South Africa | Australia |
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Both nations are historically linked through the British Empire. Between 1899 and 1902, Australia contributed over 16,000 soldiers to fight alongside the British during the Second Boer War to fight against primarily Afrikaans-speaking settlers of the Transvaal Republic and Orange Free State. [2] Over 500 Australians died in the war.
During World War I and World War II; soldiers from both Australia and South Africa fought alongside each other in Europe and North Africa and the Pacific. [3] [4] South Africa obtained its independence from Great Britain in 1934 while Australia obtained its independence in 1901. [5]
Since 1947, both countries enjoyed very close political and economic ties. [6] In 1948, South Africa adopted the policy of apartheid. As campaigns for international isolation of South Africa intensified in the 1970s and 1980s, successive Australian governments placed Australia firmly in the anti-apartheid camp. Thus supporting United Nations resolutions against apartheid and implementing oil, trade and arms embargo against South Africa. [6]
When Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam came to power in December 1972, his Government quickly acted to dismantle all vestiges of racism and to adopt a more independent stance on foreign policy. One of its first actions was to restrict the entry of racially selected sports teams and individuals and initiate an apartheid sports boycott. In 1977, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was instrumental and played a key role in Gleneagles Agreement imposing sanctions on sporting ties with South Africa. [7]
In 1987, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, in his role as the head of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group campaigning against apartheid, visited Nelson Mandela in prison. In February 1990, Mandela was released from prison and in October 1990, Mandela, as President of the African National Congress; paid a visit to Australia. [8] During his visit to Australia, Mandela however did not bring up the plight of Aboriginal Australians stating that he did not wish to “interfere in the internal politics of another country." [8]
After the inauguration of the first democratically elected Government of South Africa in May 1994, relations between both nations were normalized. [6] In 1997, the Australia-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was established which is chaired by Trade Ministers. The JMC is the peak forum for the discussion and strengthening of the trade and economic relationship between both nations. [9]
In the early 2000s, Australia's trade with South Africa had become more liberalized and they also played a significant role along with India in the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation. [10]
In March 2018, a diplomatic row broke out between the two countries after Australian cabinet minister Peter Dutton called for white South African farmers to be fast-tracked [11] as refugees, stating that "they need help from a civilised country", [12] [13] with the Australian High Commissioner subsequently summoned by the South African foreign ministry, which expressed its offence at Dutton's statements, and demanded a “full retraction”. [14] The Australian government effectively retracted Dutton's offer, and responded to the South African démarche with a letter that "satisfied" the South African foreign ministry. [15] However, Dutton subsequently reiterated his position that the farmers were persecuted, denied any retraction, and insisted that the Australian government was looking at "several" individual cases of farmers that could qualify for humanitarian visas. [16] In April 2018, Attorney-General for Australia Christian Porter also offered assistance to South Africans facing "persecution". [17]
In April 2018, the South African government issued a statement that it took "strong exception" to an Australian travel advisory that warned persons travelling to South Africa to "exercise a high degree of caution", with the South African foreign ministry stating that it would deter Australians from visiting, as well as tarnishing the image of South Africa. According to the South African foreign ministry, previous attempts to get the advice changed were unsuccessful, and the escalation reflected the importance of the tourist sector to the economy. [18]
In 2017, two-way trade between both nations was valued at A$3.6 billion. [19] Australian exports to South Africa totaled A$2 billion, mainly consisting of aluminum ores, minerals and machinery. [20] South African exports to Australia totaled A$1.8 billion and consisting of passenger motor vehicles, other ores & concentrates, machinery and parts, and pig-iron. [20] Australia is South Africa's 15th largest export destination. South Africa is Australia's 24th largest export destination. [20]
In June 2019, Australia was home to approximately 193,860 South African born population living in the country, making it one of the largest South African diaspora community abroad. Many primarily White South Africans migrated to Australia from 1994 to date.
Australia played a consistent role in the implementation of the apartheid sports boycott from 1972 to 1991, when there were no official Australian rugby or cricket tours. [21] However, there were many unofficial tours of South Africa, such as the rebel cricket tours in 1985–86 and 1986–87.
Australia and South Africa have a strong sporting rivalry particularly in rugby union and cricket. Through the annual The Rugby Championship rugby union competition, Australia and South Africa compete for the Mandela Challenge Plate.
There are direct flights between both nations with Qantas.
The foreign relations of South Africa have spanned from the country's time as a Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies under apartheid to its position as a responsible international actor taking a key role in Africa, particularly Southern Africa. South Africa is a member of the United Nations, the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations. Considered a possible permanent addition to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa was elected in 2006, 2010 and 2018 by the UN General Assembly to serve on the Security Council. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chair of the African Union from 2020 to 2021, the second time South Africa has chaired the organisation since its formation in 2003.
South African farm attacks are violent crimes, including murder, assault and robbery, that take place on farms in South Africa. The attacks target both white and black farmers. The term has no formal legal definition, but such attacks have been the subject of discussion by media and public figures in South Africa and abroad.
White South Africans are South Africans of European descent. In linguistic, cultural, and historical terms, they are generally divided into the Afrikaans-speaking descendants of the Dutch East India Company's original colonists, known as Afrikaners, and the Anglophone descendants of predominantly British colonists of South Africa. In 2016, 57.9% were native Afrikaans speakers, 40.2% were native English speakers, and 1.9% spoke another language as their mother tongue, such as Portuguese, Greek, or German. White South Africans are by far the largest population of White Africans. White was a legally defined racial classification during apartheid.
Israel–South Africa relations refer to the current and historic relationship between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Israel. As of January 2024, South Africa maintains only “limited political and diplomatic interaction” with Israel due to the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Brazil–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Republic of South Africa. Both nations are members of the BRICS, Cairns Group, G20, Group of 24, Group of 77 and the United Nations.
The United States and South Africa currently maintain bilateral relations with one another. The United States and South Africa have been economically linked to one another since the late 18th century which has continued into the 21st century. United States and South Africa relations faced periods of strain throughout the 20th century due to the segregationist, white minority rule in South Africa, from 1948 to 1994. Following the end of apartheid in South Africa, the United States and South Africa have developed a strategically, politically, and economically beneficial relationship with one another and currently enjoy "cordial relations" despite "occasional strains". South Africa remains the United States' largest trading partner in Africa as of 2019.
The current and historical relations between the Argentine Republic and the Republic of South Africa, for over a century. Both nations are members of the Cairns Group, G20, Group of 77 and the United Nations.
Malawian-South African relations refers to the bilateral relationship between Malawi and South Africa. South Africa's first formal relationship with an independent African country was established with Malawi, beginning in 1967.
Italy–South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Italy and South Africa. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1929. Italy has an embassy in Pretoria, a consulate-general in Johannesburg and a consulate in Cape Town. South Africa has an embassy in Rome. Both countries are members of the G20.
The nations of Mexico and South Africa established diplomatic relations in 1993. Bilateral relations between both nations have been characterized by a good level of political dialogue and by the mutual recognition of the leadership and involvement exercised by both countries in their respective regions.
South Africa–United Kingdom relations are the current and historical relationships between the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of South Africa. South Africa is the most important trade partner in Africa for the United Kingdom and an important partner for the UK in a number of areas.
There is a small community of Japanese expatriate people living in or people who were born in South Africa with Japanese ancestry. Most of them live in Johannesburg and other major cities.
Malaysia–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Malaysia and South Africa. Malaysia has a high commission in Pretoria, and South Africa has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. Relations between the two countries have been very good and have continued to improve, with each other view themselves as close partners in the developing world. Both are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Netherlands–South Africa refers to the current and historical relations between the Netherlands and South Africa. Both nations share historic ties and have a long-standing special relationship, partly due to the Dutch colony in the Cape, linguistic similarity between Dutch and Afrikaans and the Netherlands' staunch support in the struggle against Apartheid.
New Zealand–South Africa relations refers to the diplomatic relations between New Zealand and South Africa. Both countries are members of the Cairns Group, Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.
Bangladesh–South Africa relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Africa. Bangladesh has a High Commission in Pretoria. The South African High Commission in Colombo is accredited to Bangladesh. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
The political relations between Algeria and South Africa officially started in the 1950s and 1960s. The bond formed around their respective internal conflicts that were repeatedly neglected by the United Nations Security Council.
South Africa–Sweden relations refers to the bilateral relations between Sweden and South Africa. Formal relations between the two countries began with the opening of a South African legation in the 1930s with relations being upgraded to ambassadorial level in 1994 following South Africa's first non-racial democratic elections. In 2000 a South African - Swedish Binational Commission was established by President Thabo Mbeki and Prime Minister Göran Persson.
South Africa-Trinidad and Tobago relations refers to the bilateral relations between South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago. Diplomatic relations were established on 10 January 1995. Both nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Saudi Arabia-South Africa relations are the bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Saudi Arabia has an embassy in Pretoria. South Africa has an embassy in Riyadh. Both countries are members of the Non-Aligned Movement and the G20 major economies.
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