South Africa, Germany Strengthen Ties With New Urban Development Deal

South African Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa and German Federal Minister of Building Klara Geywitz signed the reviewed Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

The declaration signed on Tuesday renews the commitment to close the exchange that has existed since 2013 with the initial agreement.

This new agreement focuses on future cooperation in improving urban development at all levels of government and encouraging more public involvement in urban planning issues.

The signing ceremony took place during the 17th Federal Congress on National Urban Development Policy in Heidelberg, Germany. At the signing, Hlabisa noted that this agreement is an important step in their ongoing partnership.

"This collaboration, which has flourished for over a decade, continues to enrich both our nations. By sharing expertise and engaging in joint efforts to enhance urban development, we are not only addressing the needs of our cities but also setting a global standard for inclusive and sustainable growth," Hlabisa said, SA News reported.

He added, "This partnership shows how working together and learning from each other can make a big difference in improving our communities. By sharing ideas and solutions, we can create better and safer places for everyone."

The minister emphasized that this agreement shows how working together and supporting one another can lead to a better future for everyone.

Geywitz also expressed her support for the new agreement, highlighting the close collaboration with South Africa that has been ongoing for over 10 years. She described it as a shared commitment to continue building trust and cooperation.

She noted that the exchange with South Africa - including interactions with the partner ministry, local governments and community groups - provides valuable insights into how things are done in South Africa. These perspectives help improve their own planning and administrative practices.

Since 2016, there has been a strong focus on sharing knowledge about urban development policies and programs between Germany and South Africa. This includes creating networks for municipalities to learn from each other.

Currently, the network involves cities like KwaDukuza, Nelson Mandela Bay, Stellenbosch, uMhlathuze, Bottrop, Karlsruhe, Ludwigsburg and Nuremberg.

These cities are working together to find ways to make urban areas livable and safe for everyone, especially marginalized groups like women and girls, and to ensure equal access to public spaces.