South Africa

The bonds between Norway and South Africa have existed for a long time. Today's cooperation builds on the backing Norway extended in the fight against apartheid. The development cooperation between the two countries began just after the first democratic election in South Africa in 1994.

The fact that political and economic development in South Africa is important both for the country itself and for Africa as a whole has influenced Norway's cooperation with the country and will continue to do so. Furthermore, South Africa plays an increasingly important strategic and political role when it comes to Norwegian interests in global peace, the environment and climate issues and will form the basis for Norwegian bilateral cooperation with South Africa in the future.

Cooperation with South Africa has gone through several stages since the second half of the 1970s, when financial support to the fight against the apartheid regime was increased. After the first democratic election in South Africa in 1994 the focus for Norwegian support was reform. Work centred on transforming South African governance, administration and institutions. Support for election processes, establishment of new legislation and work related to the promotion and protection of human rights by South African institutions, was essential.

After the year 2000, a more extensive state-to-state cooperation was initiated, prioritising competence and capacity building. The energy sector, higher education and research, environment, democracy building and promotion of human rights were identified as the most important areas of cooperation.

The reorganisation of the co-operation in 2010 started a new chapter focusing on an equal partnership in the region and globally. All major bilateral programme agreements are now concluded.

Below are examples of some slightly non-standard activities of 2010:

South Africa's Field Band Foundation was established in 1997 with an aim to continue the historical presence of band music in South African society. The organisation currently engages in band activities in 38 poor districts throughout South Africa, where nearly 4 000 children and young people have opportunities for self-development and for building a stronger sense of community through music and dance. Discipline is a central part of the project; members who do not show up for band practice cannot attend the 15 concerts held every year. Since 2001 the Norwegian Band Federation (NMF) has cooperated with the Field Band Foundation to increase musical expertise.

50 Norwegian and 37 South African music teachers have participated in an exchange programme called Bands Crossing Borders since 2001. Since the autumn of 2009, Norad has also contributed with financial support for the creation of a music academy for band directors and conductors in South Africa.

Biological diversity

With support from the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa recently completed a highly successful five-year programme for securing and preserving the country's unique biological diversity. Norway and South Africa have collaborated on environmental issues since 1997. The cooperation is based on mutual commitment to environmental protection and development through the implementation of international environmental conventions. In 2005, Norway signed an agreement with South Africa to allocate NOK 40 million to a five-year environmental programme. The programme has been conducted entirely by South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs, and has been implemented at national and local level.

Part of the programme has focused on biodiversity and consisted of seven projects with the primary purpose of promoting the protection and development of South Africa's natural resources. Under this programme the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) created a five-year Threatened Species Programme with a mandate to monitor and report on the protection of South Africa's native flora and fauna. The project particularly focused on species which previously have not received much attention in the country, such as reptiles, butterflies, spiders and saltwater fish. Through this programme, South Africa is heading the work of monitoring biodiversity in southern Africa. The programme has led to the discovery of 14 new plants, and the rediscovery of 12 species considered extinct. Thus, the success of the Threatened Species Programme and the publication of the Red List of South African Plants can largely be credited to the work of the volunteers.

You can read more about Norway's past initiatives in South Africa in previous annual reports.