Jakarta: Against a backdrop of historic solidarity and shared vision for a better world, South Africa will move to deepen bilateral relations with Indonesia during an official State Visit to the Southeast Asian country by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.

According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, expressed the significance of the visit in an interview with SAnews. He highlighted that the high-level exchange provides an opportunity to recognize mutual cooperation and deepen multilateralism between the two countries, especially with Indonesia’s recent acceptance into the BRICS+ family.

The historical ties between South Africa and Indonesia date back to the 1600s with the arrival of Indonesian descendants in South Africa. Notably, Sheikh Yusuf Al Makassari, a religious leader exiled to Cape Town in 1694, played a significant role in spreading Islam in the region. His legacy is commemorated with a shrine in Cape Town.

South Africa and Indonesia formalized relations in 1994, marked by several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding. Botes emphasized the structured bilateral mechanism guiding the relationship and Indonesia’s role in promoting Afro-Asian solidarity, as demonstrated by the 1955 Bandung Conference.

The Deputy Minister also noted Indonesia’s alignment with South Africa’s foreign policy, particularly its role in peace diplomacy for the Palestinian cause. Trade relations have flourished, with South African exports to Indonesia valued at R10.5 billion and imports at R16.9 billion.

During the SA-Indonesia Business Forum, Botes highlighted the potential for transforming the trade relationship into a robust economic partnership, focusing on sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and the green economy. He pointed to Indonesia’s leadership in the global nickel industry and South Africa’s reserves of manganese and platinum group metals as key areas for collaboration.

Botes outlined two key initiatives from the business forum: the formation of a working group to establish the South Africa-Indonesia Business Council and exploring partnerships in managing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Indonesia’s 19 SEZs offer collaboration opportunities in governance and digitization.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit is scheduled to begin at 6am South African time on Wednesday.