The Embassy of Hungary in Pretoria celebrated their National Day on 22 October 2024 at the Javett Art Centre, University of Pretoria. H.E. Mr Attila Gyorgy Horvath welcomed guests to the occasion.
This year marks 33 years of diplomatic relations between South Africa and Hungary. The traditionally friendly bilateral relations between the two countries have evolved dynamically, as evidenced by the increasing number of high-level visits and agreements. These friendly ties date back to the 1960s and 70s when many South African students studied in Hungary. Since 2016, the Hungarian government has been providing 100 full university scholarships to South African students each year, and more than 2,000 South African students have graduated from Hungarian universities in recent years.
Scientific and technological cooperation has been central to these relations. In 2022, South Africa became the first African country to host the prestigious World Science Forum in Cape Town.
“Cooperation is necessary in all fields of life. One of the most important lessons of the COVID-19 epidemic was that we cannot succeed alone,” said H.E. Mr Horvath. He emphasized that global conflicts can only be resolved through joint efforts, setting aside differences and working together.
The primary areas of cooperation between Hungary and South Africa include education, health and medical technology, drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, food security, and peaceful space exploration. There has also been a strengthening of cooperation in the field of sport. Hungary’s health program, established in 2017, aims to provide coordinated aid and development in crisis areas, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation.
Minister MacKenzie congratulated Hungary on behalf of the Government and people of South Africa. Diplomatic relations were officially established in July 1991, and in April 1999, former President Nelson Mandela made a state visit to Hungary at the invitation of President Arpad Goncz. Since the establishment of these relations, the two countries have concluded agreements in areas of mutual interest, including culture, education, science, and related fields, as well as a bilateral air transport agreement. Notable synergies between the two nations extend to their shared foreign policy positions.
On 22 September 2024, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, held successful political consultations with his counterpart, Deputy Minister Mr Levente Magyar, from Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Economic relations are managed through the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC), established by an agreement between South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“While political and economic diplomacy often take the spotlight, cultural diplomacy is equally important,” said Minister MacKenzie. The cultural diplomacy framework, set to be implemented in the 2025/2026 financial year, will outline mechanisms to advance South Africa’s cultural agenda on both the African and global stages.
“We look forward to building a dynamic relationship with Hungary,” concluded Minister MacKenzie.
by Marion Kate
