Serbia–South Africa relations
# Serbia–South Africa relations

South Africa–Serbia relations are foreign relations between South Africa and Serbia. Serbia has an Embassy in Pretoria and South Africa a non-resident Embassy in Athens, Greece which is also accredited to Serbia.

## Relations

South Africa is Serbia's closest ally in Africa and the two nations have had excellent relations since the signing of diplomatic relations in 1992 following the end of the apartheid system. South Africa is also home to around 20,000 Serbs mainly living in the Johannesburg area. South Africa has voiced support for Serbia over the issue of Kosovo's independence. Nelson Mandela was an honorary citizen of Belgrade.

## Economic relations

A delegation of South African businessmen visited Serbia in January 2012 to finalize negotiations on the construction of a mineral water bottling plant in the vicinity of Požarevac, on investing in several mines in eastern and southern Serbia and on buying agricultural complexes in Vojvodina.

## High level visits

In 2010, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić visited South Africa and met International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane. During this visit, Serbia pledged its support for South Africa's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2011–2012 term.

