Ireland–South Africa relations
Ireland |
South Africa |
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There is a historical and current bilateral relationship between Ireland and South Africa. Both countries have established embassies in the territory of the other, in Dublin and Pretoria.
Former President of South Africa Jacob Zuma said there exists a "special relationship"[why?] between the two countries.[1] In 2006 South Africa was Ireland's "33rd most important trading partner" and in 2008 trade between the two countries was worth more than €500 million per annum according to RTÉ.[2][3]
History
Irish missionaries have been working in South Africa since before 1860.[4]
The opening of bilateral relations was strongly considered by both governments in the 1930s and 1940s, following a successful state visit by South African prime minister
From the early 1960s Ireland vehemently opposed
In November 2003, Brian Cowen, while touring Africa as Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, promised South African President Thabo Mbeki that Ireland would highlight African problems when it ascended to the Council Presidency of the European Union in January 2004.[8]
Deputy President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and many other South African government ministers met President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and other Irish officials in Dublin in November 2006.[2] They came to examine Ireland's economic boom, the Celtic Tiger.[2]
Micheál Martin led a trade mission to South Africa in September 2006.[9] Contracts were signed.[10]
Bertie Ahern and Micheál Martin led a three-day trade mission to South Africa in January 2008.[3] ESB International and Eskom signed a new €4.5 million contract at Eskom's Johannesburg HQ.[11] Other trade deals between the two countries came about too.[12]
Aid
The Irish Aid – South Africa programme was established by the Government of Ireland in 1994.[4]
The Niall Mellon Township Trust has been in operation since 2002 and hosts an annual building blitz which aims to make life better for the people of South Africa's townships.[1] 15,000 houses were constructed between 2002 and 2010.[1] Taoiseach Bertie Ahern visited it while in South Africa in 2008.[13] South African President Jacob Zuma hosted a reception for Mellon at his private residence in Cape Town in November 2010, describing the work done by Ireland as "unique" and "very powerful".[1]
See also
- Foreign relations of the Republic of Ireland
- Foreign relations of South Africa
- Melanie Verwoerd
- Irish South Africans
References
- ^ a b c d Black, Fergus (20 November 2010). "President Zuma lauds Irish for new homes drive in townships". Irish Independent. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
- ^ RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 15 November 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- ^ Cosgrave, William T. (2 November 1930). "Speech by William T. Cosgrave on the occasion of the visit to Dublin by General J.M. Hertzog". Documents on Irish Foreign Policy. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Ireland". Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of South Africa. 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
- ^ "Freedom of the City of Dublin". Dublin City Council. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 23 November 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 18 September 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 20 September 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
- RTÉ News and Current Affairs. RTÉ. 14 January 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2010.