Image is everything.
This is the message that the Germans would like to convey with the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel that kicks off in Pretoria on Friday.
In her first visit to South Africa since taking on the top job, Merkel will want to share the successes of the football World Cup hosted by her country last year with South Africans preparing for 2010.
The Germans are keen to convince South Africans that the effect of the World Cup on the image of their country has far exceeded their expectations.
They say the effect that the World Cup had on the image of Germany was underestimated by most Germans. South Africa should learn fom this.
‘You have here a chance to shape the image of South Africa in a way that you may not have again. Everything you will do now has consequences for the image of the country abroad, but also for inner cohesion. It will change the way people think about the country,†an embassy official said.
The Germans and South Africans have been to-ing and fro-ing between the two countries. The preparations here are on track and fears about not being ready in time should not cripple the process. The Germans will be reminding the South Africans that three years before Germany had to play host, everything wasn’t ready either.
Merkel is visiting South Africa as part of an African trip that includes Ethiopia and Liberia.
As the president of the Group of Eight industrialised countries, Merkel has identified South Africa as a strategic partner that will give Germany a springboard into the rest of the continent.
She is following the example of German president Horst Köhler, who has prioritised building relationships in Africa.
South Africa has historically had a fruitful relationship with Germany. One upshot is the growth in the automotive industry that has seen an increase in jobs.
Merkel’s visit is likely to produce a few more agreements on trade and more opportunities for South Africans to gain from Germany’s booming small and medium businesses.
The trade barriers that deny African countries access to German markets are up for discussion, but there are few convincing signs that things will change significantly in favour of the African countries.
The Germans are not, however, merely in the game to help Africa and to stand witness to begging-bowl diplomacy. Germany’s foothold in Africa is diminishing with the entrance of players such as China and India, which have gobbled up opportunities to invest.
On this trip, taking stock of the relationship between the two countries will be a priority. The financial arrangements are currently strongly in favour of Germany.
South Africa is importing R57-billion worth of goods from Germany, while the European country reciprocates with R26-billion. The Germans insist the large deficit is due to Germany’s strong manufacturing industry, which produces material used in infrastructure projects.
Proving her commitment to supporting the efforts by President Thabo Mbeki to mediate between the political parties in Zimbabwe, she is due to attend the summit in Lisbon between European and African countries. Merkel has made it clear that she will not opt for the same route as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who refuses to attend alongside President Robert Mugabe.
The visit will also include meetings with the chief executive of Nepad, Firmino Mucavele, and the president of the Pan African Parliament, Gertrude Mongella.
African ownership is a key ingredient to Germany’s engagement with the continent. The Germans are insisting that Africa should be supported in developing its own ideas.