| Hellenic
Republic History
of Relations | Diplomatic Representation | Travel
Info | Health Requirements | Climate Info
| Currency Info | Trade Info | Visits
and Meetings | Agreements | Interest Groups/
Organisations History of Relations Relations
with South Africa - Political relations Historically the role that South
Africa and especially General Jan Smuts played in the Second World War is still
remembered favourably in Greece. General Smuts is seen as having been responsible
for preventing Greece from being included behind the Iron Curtain at the end of
the war. South Africa has maintained strong ties with Greece largely because of
the Greek community in South Africa, numbering more than one hundred thousand.
Bilateral relations between Greece and South Africa are cordial. President Stephanopoulos
paid a State Visit to South Africa in October 2002 and Minister Dlamini Zuma paid
an official visit to Greece in June 2003. Economic Relations Trade
between South Africa and Greece has increased substantially over the last two
years. The Greek outward investment activities in South Africa are estimated at
US$350m, a figure, which reportedly exceeds US$700m, if investment by expatriate
Greeks is taken into account as well. Such investments primarily appear to be
targeted at financial services, shipping, foodstuff, manufactured products and
commerce. Greek related investment in South Africa is estimated to be accountable
directly for ±100 000 job opportunities. Development aid to South Africa: The
Greek Government has donated 200,000 US Dollars towards the building of a small
health clinic for children. The Ministry of Health opted for the area of Sebokeng,
Vaal Triangle, and the necessary formalities are reaching completion, which will
allow for the beginning of the relevant works. The Greek Ministry of Sport
has donated some 40,000 US Dollars for assistance to sport facilities in Soweto
and Alexandra. The Greek Government is offering three to five scholarships
per year to South African students for tertiary education studies in Greece. Most
of these scholarships are given to students from the less privileged sectors of
the South African society. School projects have also been funded. Diplomatic
Representation
South African Representation in Greece
H E Mr S R Makgetla
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
South
African Embassy
Greek Representation
in South Africa
H E Mr S Theocharopoulos
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Embassy
in Pretoria Travel Info Visa
Requirements for South Africans For more information contact the Consular
Section at the Greek Embassy in Pretoria. Health
Requirements There are no health requirements for visitors to Greece
from from South Africa. However, there is a strict ruling on Codeine. Visitors
to Greece should note that the analgestic/cough suppressant Codeine is prohibited
in this country. Visitors are warned that possession of medicines containing Codeine
could result in prosecution. The public is urged to ascertain that Codeine is
not present in medicines that are taken to Greece. Medicines that often contain
Codeine are pain killers, cough mixtures and cold remedies. For further
information go to Travelers' Health. Climate
Info Mediterranean. Summers are very hot and dry. Winters are milder
in the south and the rainy season is November to March. Clothing: Cool clothes
for summer with a jersey for the evenings. Warm clothes for winter and rainwear
for November to March. For up-to-date weather information click here. Currency
Info The monetary unit of the currency is the Euro For current
exchange rates click here. State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings No Information Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section at 012 351 0872/0872/0837.
Trade
Info For current information on trade statistics between South Africa
and Greece, visit the web site of the Department
of Trade and Industry of South Africa Interest
Groups and Information National Association of Hellenic Student Organisations
of South Africa NAHSOA PO Box 4906 Johannesburg 2000 Tel : (011)
782 6002 Hellenic Cultural Movement Tel : (011) 893 1376 or 873 6804 Fax
: (011) 873 6383 The Federation of Hellenic Communities in South Africa PO
Box 2399 SAXONWOLD 2132 Tel : (011) 484 4560 Fax : (011) 484
4579 | 
