PRETORIA, South Africa – South Africa and Rwanda have taken fresh steps toward rebuilding diplomatic relations, with both countries agreeing on measures that include the resumption of visas for Rwandan citizens and the revival of bilateral cooperation structures.
The developments emerged during a working visit by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, to Pretoria, where he held talks with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola.
Welcoming the Rwandan delegation, Lamola described the visit as an important opportunity to strengthen relations between the two African nations. 
“Minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe, allow me, once more, to welcome you and your delegation to South Africa. We are pleased and privileged to host you in Pretoria and wish you a productive and fruitful Working Visit. You come all the way from the Land of a Thousand Hills, to grace our shores,” said Lamola.
The South African minister also thanked the Rwandan delegation for visiting the Hector Pieterson Memorial during commemorations marking 50 years since the Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976.
Lamola said relations between South Africa and Rwanda have remained friendly despite differences that have emerged over the years.
“Despite certain differences, relations between our two countries have always been friendly, cordial and based on mutual cooperation and respect,” he said.
He noted that both countries share a history shaped by painful chapters, including apartheid in South Africa and the Genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda.
“South Africa and Rwanda shoulder a responsibility to cooperate more deeply, as there is a lot that binds our peoples together. Both our countries emerged from painful pasts, from the Apartheid era in South Africa and the Genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda,” Lamola said.
He added that the sacrifices made by past generations continue to form the foundation of both nations.
“We will not forget and will forever remember the heroes and heroines who laid their lives to nurture and build foundations for the two nations that are South Africa and Rwanda today. These bonds are also forged from our steadfast belief in solidarity, African Unity and Pan Africanism.”
Responding after the meeting, Nduhungirehe thanked South Africa for its hospitality and described the discussions as constructive.
“Thank you, my brother Ronald, for the warm hospitality and the constructive discussion we had today in Pretoria, aimed at normalising Rwanda-South Africa relations and exchanging views on the security situation on our continent,” he said.
The Rwandan minister welcomed the outcomes of the talks, saying both sides had agreed on practical measures to improve relations.
“We are particularly pleased with the concrete outcomes of our meeting, mainly the resumption of visas for Rwandan nationals within twelve months and the relaunching of the Joint Commission on Cooperation, to be convened at the first quarter of 2027 in Kigali,” he said.
Nduhungirehe also thanked South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for supporting the process.
“We express our gratitude to our respective Heads of State, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa and H.E. Paul Kagame, for initiating this process, which will benefit our two peoples and the African continent as a whole.”
