South African Government Briefs 11 of 2012

South Africa’s relations with Jamaica are an expression of our foreign policy.

• South Africa’s unique approach to global issues has found expression in the concept of Ubuntu, which informs our particular approach to diplomacy and shapes our vision of a better world for all.
• This philosophy translates into an international relations approach that respects all nations, people and cultures as it is in our national interest to promote and support the positive development of others.
• South Africa accords central importance to working with countries of the south to address our shared challenges of underdevelopment and to promote global equity and social justice.
• South Africa’s foreign policy recognises that countries are interdependent and promotes cooperation over competition and collaboration over confrontation. It is within this context that we are committed to the development of partnerships around the world with countries like Jamaica.

South Africa remains committed to strengthening relations with Jamaica for the mutual growth and development of both countries.

• Jamaica’s main economic activities are tourism, agriculture and bauxite mining. The country has an annual growth rate of over 2% and a gross domestic product of United States (US) $9,86 billion.
• Jamaica is rich in the following natural resources: bauxite, gypsum, limestone, marble, sand and silica.
• Total exports from South Africa to Jamaica for the period January to May 2012 stood at R9 819 782. Total imports to South Africa from Jamaica for the same period stood at R708 993.
• Jamaica and South Africa signed an Agreement for Cooperation in the fields of arts and culture in 2009, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge, experience and achievements between both countries to advance bilateral cooperation. 
• The Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation has been finalised and will be signed during the State Visit.

South African enjoys strong historical and diplomatic ties with Jamaica.

• Relations between South Africa and Jamaica can be traced back to the anti-apartheid struggle when Jamaica consistently and unequivocally opposed apartheid and supported all United Nations (UN) decisions aimed at its elimination.
• As a strong opponent of apartheid Jamaica became the first country to declare a trade embargo against South Africa as early as 1957.
• The historical and cultural ties between Africa and the countries of the Caribbean and the common challenges and experiences of slavery, colonialism and subjugation continue to bind us.
• Jamaica and South Africa established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1994, which led to the opening of the Jamaican High Commission in Pretoria in October 2006.
• The Jamaican Government has waived visa requirements for all South African passport holders and regular holders of Jamaican passports may enter South Africa for a period of up to 90 days without a visa.
• The formation of the Jamaica South Africa Friendship Association (Jasafa) in 2004 has strengthened people-to-people, cultural, educational and business relationships between Jamaica and South Africa.

Relations between South Africa and Jamaica are advancing the African Agenda and strengthening relations between Africa and its diaspora.

• The State Visit by President Zuma to Jamaica supports one of South Africa’s key foreign policy objectives, which is our determination to consolidate the African Agenda and strengthen Pan-African solidarity.
• The Global African Diaspora Summit held in Sandton in May 2012, resolved to advance, among other things, the need for Africa and her diaspora to work together towards achieving the objectives of the African Union (AU).
• The Diaspora Summit also resolved to encourage the AU and the Caribbean Community and Common Market to create a conducive environment for the member states of the African Diaspora to invest, work and travel on the African continent and the Caribbean.
• Planned areas of cooperation include education, health, culture and environmental issues. These are some of the vital areas where Africa and her diaspora could build concrete relations to bring the AU's vision to fruition.