by Marion Smith
The Embassy of Switzerland in Pretoria celebrated Swiss National Day with a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Switzerland to South Africa, H.E. Mr Mirko Manz, at his official residence, bringing together members of the diplomatic corps, government, business and civil society.
The occasion marked Switzerland’s national celebration on 1 August, commemorating the signing of the Federal Charter in 1291, when three small communities in the Swiss mountains entered into a pact of mutual assistance and laid the foundations of what would become the Swiss Confederation.
Welcoming guests, Ambassador Manz reflected on the distinctive character of Switzerland, a country of 26 cantons, four official languages and a political culture built around dialogue, compromise and the ability to “agree to disagree”.
With characteristic humour, he drew a comparison between Switzerland and South Africa.
“Switzerland is a small country with four official languages, 26 cantons and the propensity to agree to disagree,” he said. “South Africa, I have learned, has 12 official languages and considerably more opinion per square kilometre. Remarkably, it works.”
The Ambassador also acknowledged the presence of South Africa’s Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, whose birthday coincided with the celebration. Manz congratulated the Minister and light-heartedly referred to his well-known equestrian abilities, joking about Groenewald’s experience of riding five horses at the same time.
For his part, Minister Groenewald responded with equal humour, telling guests that the secret to riding five horses was simple: “You must be very young and very irresponsible.”
The exchange reflected the warm and personal atmosphere of an event that went beyond diplomatic protocol to celebrate friendship between two countries with remarkably diverse societies.
A final National Day speech
Ambassador Manz revealed that the celebration was likely to be his final Swiss National Day speech as Ambassador to South Africa, as his term is expected to conclude next year.
Looking back on his career, he explained that his training as an architect in Lausanne had perhaps prepared him for a professional life dedicated to building structures that are difficult to dismantle.
“I spent most of my career trying to build things that do not easily fall: agreements, trust between people who have every reason not to trust each other,” he reflected.
His diplomatic career has taken him to some of the world’s most challenging environments. He began working in the field with the International Committee of the Red Cross in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq, experiences he said taught him what truly matters.
He later served in Mali and Mozambique, where he was Ambassador and subsequently worked as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy in support of a peace process.
These experiences shaped his approach to diplomacy and influenced what he discovered when he arrived in South Africa in 2023.
“I came here not to teach peace. I came here to learn from a country that already had the recipe,” he said, referring to South Africa’s historic experience of choosing dialogue over division.
Since arriving in South Africa, Ambassador Manz has travelled to every province, gaining first-hand insight into the country’s extraordinary diversity, beauty, resilience and challenges.
He highlighted a visit to a correctional facility in Klerksdorp, where he was inspired by programmes aimed at training and rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for reintegration into society.
A relationship built on strong foundations
The Ambassador described relations between Switzerland and South Africa as being in excellent health, pointing to strong cooperation in trade, investment, science, skills development and culture.
Swiss companies operating in South Africa employ thousands of South Africans, while both countries continue to cooperate across a broad range of sectors.
Manz also highlighted the growing political relationship between the two countries, including President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit to Switzerland and high-level engagement between the two governments.
He noted that Switzerland and South Africa had developed a strong practice of annual high-level consultations, creating opportunities for substantive discussions on democracy, the rule of law and international affairs.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Manz referred to an anticipated official state visit to South Africa in 2027 by the President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis.
The visit is expected to provide another opportunity to reaffirm the close ties between the two countries.
Celebrating diversity
Minister Groenewald, representing the South African government, praised the relationship between the two countries and reflected on the importance of national identity and diversity.
Opening his remarks with greetings in South Africa’s diverse languages, he said the national anthems played at such occasions represented something deeper than ceremony.
“There are only two ways you can destroy a nation,” he said. “One is by means of war, and the other is if you take their pride away.”
He emphasised that South Africa’s constitutional democracy is founded on the principle that diversity is a source of strength rather than division.
“Our Constitution says that strength lies in our diversity,” Groenewald said, stressing that countries and communities can have different customs, views and traditions while still coming together to build a common future.
He described Ambassador Manz as a “peacemaker” and praised Switzerland for its long tradition of respecting differences and resolving disagreements through dialogue.
Centuries of Swiss identity
Minister Groenewald also reflected on Switzerland’s long history, noting that the country’s founding pact dates back to 1291.
More than seven centuries later, Switzerland has evolved into a modern confederation of 26 cantons, four national languages and a highly participatory democracy in which citizens regularly have the opportunity to vote on matters affecting their country.
With a smile, Groenewald joked that if South Africa adopted Switzerland’s frequency of referendums, the country might find itself in a state of “permanent referendum”.
Nevertheless, he said Switzerland’s experience demonstrated the value of allowing differences to coexist within a strong constitutional framework.
A partnership spanning generations
The Minister highlighted the long history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The first Swiss consulate in South Africa opened in Pretoria in 1887, while Switzerland’s representation was elevated to embassy status in 1960.
Relations have continued to deepen over the decades, reaching an important milestone with President Ramaphosa’s state visit to Bern.
During that visit, the two governments signed instruments of cooperation in arts, culture and heritage, as well as peace, mediation and democratic resilience.
Switzerland has also assisted South Africa in the return of sacred heritage objects to the Mpondo royal family, where they rightfully belong.
Economically, the relationship remains significant. Minister Groenewald noted that bilateral trade exceeded CHF5.8 billion in the previous year, while more than 100 Swiss companies operate in South Africa, employing approximately 50,000 South Africans and contributing to skills development.
Scientific cooperation is another important pillar. The Swiss-South African Joint Research Programme has brought scientists from the two countries together for close to two decades, while South Africa continues to learn from Switzerland’s renowned vocational and dual-education system.
Switzerland’s quiet contribution to peace
Minister Groenewald also praised Switzerland’s contribution to international peace and mediation, pointing to its involvement in peace processes and diplomatic efforts in countries including Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan.
In an increasingly divided world, he said Switzerland’s commitment to dialogue remained particularly relevant.
“The tradition of principled dialogue is worth defending,” he said.
The human dimension of the relationship was also celebrated. More than 7,000 Swiss nationals have made South Africa their home, while approximately 2,000 South Africans live in Switzerland.
For both speakers, these people-to-people connections represent the true substance of bilateral relations.
As the reception drew to a close, the gathering celebrated not only Switzerland’s National Day, but also the enduring friendship between Switzerland and South Africa, two diverse nations that have demonstrated that differences need not divide and that dialogue, respect and cooperation can provide the foundations for a lasting partnership.
The afternoon concluded with a toast to the Swiss Confederation, the President of Switzerland and the people of Switzerland, as well as to the Republic of South Africa and the continued strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Happy Swiss National Day.
