Allegations “nonsense” – greetings shots and broad sides to the state visit

A total of 21 greeting shots in honor of Van der Bellen about the capital Pretoria in South Africa. An honorary doctorate for the first Austrian federal president who visits a state visit to the economically strong country in Africa. He is welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the monumental seat seat of the trade union building: with more than 100 guards soldiers, military chapel, flags in the wind.

It is a reception full of symbolism, but also one with content. Because a little later Van der Bellen dropped a wide side. Against Donald Trump – and the FPö. The party had asked to speak the “precarious human rights situation” in South Africa. Since the end of apartheid there has been a systematic persecution of white farmers. Van der Bellen Dry: “We discussed this: namely that this is nonsense.”

The FPö referred to statements from US President Donald Trump to Ramaphosa in the Oval Office and on a photo that later turned out to be a false information: there was no crime in South Africa, but a mass grave from the civil war in Congo.

The president of South Africa clarifies: “There is no genocide of white farmers. This story is a fiction, widespread by those who want to harm our country.” Nache: “We are all children of Mandela. Human rights apply to everyone, whether it is black or white.”

But Van der Bellens’ visit was not only formed by clear words, but also by the attempt to put the relationships between Austria and South Africa on wider legs – economically, culturally and diplomatic. He was accompanied by an economic and cultural delegation. Two declarations of intent were signed – for consular cooperation and promoting internship training.

Austria should do more if Africa takes Ernst. “Our ambassador is responsible for ten or eleven countries – that doesn’t work,” said Van der Bellen. In this respect, Europe is often “blind” and unfortunately Austria has no exception. In terms of content, the meeting was more than symbolic. In the bilateral conversation with Ramaphosa, which was unusually long around 30 minutes, central global questions were discussed: the war in Ukraine or the situation in the middle East.

“Dispute” for the title of the most beautiful country in the world
In addition to political and economic problems, Van der Bellen has also set a historical accent: in the Freedom Park of Pretoria he honored Austrian anti-apartheid activists, whose names are engraved there on a memorial wall. Finally, the two presidents allowed themselves to be a diplomatic joke. Ramaphosa invited tourists from Austria to South Africa, the “most beautiful country in the world”. Van der Bellen smiled: “Apart from Austria.” In the end they agreed: “Austria and South Africa – the two most beautiful countries in the world.”