He’s addressing political and business leaders from the world’s 20 richest countries.

South Africa’s the only African member of the so-called G20.

It primary goal is promoting balanced and sustainable economic growth to reduce poverty. 

Invariably the leaders also turn to pressing political and security issues.

African leaders have a strong vested interest this and are invited to engage this powerful grouping at its summits like the current gathering in Germany.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah el Sisi and Ethiopian premier Abiy Ahmed were invited by the summit host Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Ramaphosa’s visit began with an official visit to Germany that included dinner with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

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He says participation and prosperity are key to addressing violence and other challenges gripping Africa.

German foreign minister Frank Walter Steinmeier’s accompanied by MPs and a trade delegation from Berlin.

Speaking at last night’s reception hosted by the German ambassador Horst Freitag , the minister noted that while Germany is celebrating the anniversary of unification, South Africa marks the onset of democracy 20 years ago.

(take in Frank clip here from 58 to 68 seconds)

He commits Germany to continue financial, technical and cultural cooperation with South Africa and playing its role in promoting peace and security in Africa.

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The matter was raised in talks today between Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoane Mashebane and her German counterpart Frank Walter Steinmeier.

Over the past year South Africa’s removed investment guarantees for German and other European companies operating here.

Pretoria’s view is the guarantees disproportionately advantage the European companies who are already adequately protected by the South African constitution.

German companies are not convinced. Investment and the jobs it provides, has almost dried up.

Foreign minister Frank Walter Steinmeier says the matter was raised in talks today with Pretoria’s foreign affairs chief Maite Nkoane Mashebane.

He says they’ve agree to continue these discussions when they meet next March.

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The announcement comes after today’s binantional commission chaired by Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana Mashebane and her German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The development cooperation committed by Germany comes in two packages:

38.5 million Euro for Financial Cooperation programmes and 34 million Euro for technical Cooperation programmes.

Germany’s three-part development cooperation with South Africa comprises energy and climate, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Governance and Public Administration.

The first focuses on South Africa’s transition to a Green economy.

Today’s eighth meeting of the binational commission agreed to establish a focal area technical and vocational education and training.

Consultation on this will begin early next year.

Further cooperation will take place between South Africa and Germany on the topic of introducing a national minimum wage, including an exchange of information and technical discussions.

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