Dr Horst Freitag and Nhlanhla Nene
Germany has made a new R5.9-billion development-cooperation commitment to South Africa, consolidating more than two decades of ongoing financial and technical support that collectively stands at over R14-billion.
The latest commitment comprised five separate agreements that were signed on Friday by South African Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene and German Ambassador Dr Horst Freitag.
The agreements open the way for continued support in the areas of energy and climate change, HIV/Aids prevention, good governance and violence prevention.
Under the energy and climate theme, funding had been secured for the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre, which would provide renewable-energy and related industry training as of 2015. The centre would contribute to the training of the 5 000 qualified wind technicians required to support the wind sector by 2030.
Freitag indicated that Germany’s relationship with South Africa had evolved into a partnership and that its support programmes were being guided by the South Africa’s development priorities.
Nene welcomed Germany’s renewed support, which he said was aligned with government’s National Development Plan priorities.