Formal diplomatic relations between South Africa Africa and the Federative Republic of Brazil were established in January 1948.
Recent bilateral relations between South Africa and Brazil formalised rapidly since the advent of a democratic South Africa. Brazil’s President FH Cardoso singled out improved relations with South Africa as a foreign policy priority, a sentiment since echoed repeatedly by Brazil’s Foreign Minister LF Lampreia.
The expansion of bilateral relations resulted in the mutual exchange of numerous high-level visits, most notably, the 1996 State Visit to South Africa by President Cardoso and the 1998 and 2000 State Visits to Brazil by President Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki, respectively.
President Cardoso, accompanied by a large delegation of Brazilian businessmen, paid an official visit to South Africa from 25 to 28 November 1996.
The appointment of Ambassador Otto A Maia during April 1996 to South Africa marked the first time ever that a career diplomat with the rank of Under Secretary-General was appointed as Brazilian Ambassador to any African country.
The Diplomatic Informer Magazine SA
wishes Ambassador Mavimbela
success in his new post during his ternure.