Thank you for visiting the website of the South African Embassy to Austria and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations and International Organisations in Vienna. We are also accredited to the Republic of Slovenia and the Slovak Republic of Slovakia.

In June and July South Africa successfully hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first country to do so in the African continent. With this tournament we again proved that we are a country that seeks excellence. According to FIFA more than 3 million spectators watched the 64 matches in the stadiums, making it the third largest ever World Cup. The World Cup showed that with the type of capacities and infrastructure we have South Africa is a destination worth considering for investments.

It was also fitting that our icon, former President Nelson Mandela attended the closing of the tournament, for in 2010 South Africa also celebrates the 20th anniversary of his release from prison. His release marked a new epoch in the history of South Africa and was an important step in his own and our country’s long walk to freedom.

In the 20 years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison our country has made great strides. We have a stable political system that has seen four rounds of peaceful democratic elections since 1994. Our economy is dynamic and strongly interconnected with the rest of the globe. We export a vast range of products to many countries in all continents. Our exports to Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia have been increasing steadily over the years but were also greatly affected by the global financial and economic crisis.

Our foreign policy is predicated on making South Africa, the African continent and the rest of the world a better place. It is for this reason that we are heavily involved in the work of the African Union, the United Nations and other important international organisations such as those based in Vienna – the IAEA, UNIDO, CTBTO and UNODC.

Visitors to the World Cup will also have seen that South Africa is a great tourist destination that offers different types of attractions ranging from wildlife parks, beautiful beaches, splendid landscapes and a great weather all year round.

This website is a small window into South Africa. Here you will learn about the work that our Embassy is involved in. You will also find important links to other websites providing specific information on trade, investment opportunities, tourism information, 2010 FIFA World Cup and to our government in general.