The German Embassy Pretoria

German Embassy Enlarge image (© Auswärtiges Amt) Welcome to the German Embassy, Pretoria, the official representation of the Federal Government of Germany in South Africa.

The following links will provides you with information about Ambassador Horst Freitag, as well as the work and services of the various embassy sections.

In our Visa, Passport, Legal section you will find information on the numerous consular and legal services for both South Africans and German citizens.

Contact details for the Consulate General in Cape Town, the Honorary Consuls in South Africa  and Lesotho and the German liaison office in Swasiland can also be found here.

Ambassador Horst Freitag

The Ambassador

Dr. Horst Freitag arrived in South Africa in August 2011 to assume his post as Ambassador. Prior to this, he served as Consul General in New York. Ambassador Freitag's career as a diplomat began in 1989 following studies at the University of Passau, where earned his Doctoral degree in Law.

Please click the following for more information about the Embassy and the contact details of the divisions.

  • Political Department

    The Political Department promotes bilateral relations between Germany and South Africa through a continuing dialogue with the South African Government, the Parliament, political parties and civil society covering a wide range of political issues. 

    Westerwelle, Motlanthe and Niebel at the Union Building in Pretoria Enlarge image Westerwelle, Motlanthe and Niebel at the Union Building in Pretoria (© picture-alliance/dpa)

    The observation and analysis of South Africa´s foreign and domestic policies, the preparation and management of high level visits of political decision makers, as well as the coordinaton of policies in multilateral bodies are other important activities. The division also covers the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Kingdom of Swaziland.

    The Political Division

    Head of Division

    Ingo Herbert

    South African Foreign Policy

    Ingo Herbert

    South African Domestic Policy and Protocol

    Ms. Ebba Scholl

    Swaziland

    Friedrich Schröder

    Lesotho

    Martina Wurm-Dittkrist

    Regional and Security Politics

    Dr. Ralf Goldstein

    Secretary

    Friederike Weber-Rahman

    Contact the Political Section

    Phone:
    +27 (0) 12 427 8925
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 3606
  • Press and Public Affairs Division

    Interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) Enlarge image Interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) (© German Embassy Pretoria) The Press Division is responsible for press work and public affairs with the aim of presenting German domestic and foreign policy to the South African public. It maintains close contact with local media outlets and journalists and is a prime source of information for German correspondents working in South Africa. 

    Also, it analyzes the South African media landscape and reports on media-related develpoments in the country. The Press Division works closely together with the virtual German Information Centre (www.gicafrica.diplo.de).

    Contact the Press Section

    German Information Centre

    Organization
    Head of Section and Spokesperson of the Embassy: Friedrich Schröder
    Assistant: Desiree Vorster; Secretariat: Friederike Weber-Rahman
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8925
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 3606
  • German Information Centre

    Enlarge image

    Meet modern Germany, be informed and enjoy stories about Germany and Africa. The German Information Centre Pretoria (GIC) is online under www.pretoria.diplo.de/gic. To stay updated you can subscribe to the GIC RSS-feeds, the newsletter or join the GIC fans on Facebook.

    Contact the GIC Pretoria

    Website of the GIC

    GIC's Facebook page

    Organization
    Director: Friedrich Schröder
    Editors: Tiffany Jackson-Zunker, Steffen Scholz
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8953/50
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 9401
  • Labour and Social Affairs Section

    Lead by M. Sommer Enlarge image (© German Embassy Pretoria) This section represents the portofolio of the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health, and faciltates the bilateral relations with South African counterparts in these fields. 

    The section also maintains strong relations with the South African trade unions, reaching the level of companies, namely in the metal and automotive industry as some major German companies have been established in South Africa for decades.

    Contact the Labour and Social Affairs Section

    Read more about labour and social affairs

    Organization
    Head of Section: Monika M Sommer
    Assistant: Helen Crafford
    Phone:
    + 27 (0)12 427 8930 / 8901
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 3606
  • Cultural Section

    Player of the tournament from Mfanela Primary: Simo Mdletshe Enlarge image Player of the tournament from Mfanela Primary: Simo Mdletshe (© Anna Nyman) Cultural and educational affairs, as well as sports, play an important role in Germany`s foreign policy. The Cultural Section of the German Embassy in Pretoria is dedicated, together with other German and German-South African cultural institutions, to promote contact, co-operation and understanding between the people of Germany and South Africa.

    Contact the Cultural Section

    More information on German-South African cultural relations

    Organization
    Section Head: Mr. Markus Bollmohr
    Cultural Attaché: Mrs. Martina Wurm-Dittkrist; Secretary for Cultural Affairs: Ms. Christina Dohmen.
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8951
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 3606
  • Legal and Consular Section

    Visa Enlarge image (© dpa / picture-alliance) The Legal and Consular section offers many services to our customers, be it visa, passports, answering questions of German citizenship, or other consular services.

    Please check our list of services and on how to make an appointment
    here

    Organization
    Head of Section: Angelika Saake
    Phone:
    012-427 8977
    Fax:
    012-427 8982
  • Department for Economic and Global Issues

    The Department for Economic and Global Issues is comprised of the following divisons:

    - Economy

    - Energy, Climate and Environment

    - Development Cooperation

    - Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

    - Research, Science and Technology

    Made in Germany Enlarge image Made in Germany (© picture-alliance/ dpa) We offer information and provide contacts with the leading players in Germany and South Africa on the crucial issues facing our global future: From climate change to food security, from cutting-edge technology to helping overcome inequality. The department also closely follows developments in the major international economic fora.

    Department for Economic and Global Issues

    Head of Department

    Andreas Künne

    Telephone

    +27 (0)12 427 8952

    Secretariat

    Manuela Morgan

    Telephone

    +27 (0)12 427 8922

    Fax

    +27 (0)12 344 5610


    The Economic Division

    The Economic Division offers information about the economy in South Africa, about Germany as a business location as well as initiatives of foreign trade promotion through the Federal Foreign Office Berlin. 

    The Division also promotes German interests in the economic, commercial, financial, agricultural, technological, research and environmental sectors in South Africa and serves as a point of contact for Germany-related economic questions. It works with, among other organizations, the South African - German Chambers of Commerce and the representative of German trade and invest. 

    The Economic Division

    Head of Division

    Rodin Knapp

    Telephone

    +27 (0)12 427 8935

    Secretariat

    Manuela Morgan

    Telephone

    +27 (0)12 427 8922

    Fax

    +27 (0)12 344 5610

    Contact the Economic Division
    Read more about German-South African business relations

  • Development Cooperation

    The Economic Cooperation and Development Section is responsible for the central coordination of development policy-related activities between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of South Africa (diplomatic accreditation extends to the Kingdom of Lesotho). 

    Girl with YDF footballs Enlarge image Girl with YDF footballs (© GIZ/YDF) This means ensuring that there is a continuous exchange of ideas between all parties involved, and steering of the governmental implementing organisations (in conjunction with the BMZ, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the AA, Federal Foreign Office).

    The Embassy is tasked with coordinating the preparation and implementation of the annual bilateral government negotiations and consultations. The Embassy is also an important development policy partner to the South African government and cooperates closely with the National Treasury, as well as with various ministries and government departments. It also administers a micro project fund through which local organisations can obtain financial support.

    Contact the Economic Development Cooperation Section

    Read more about development cooperation

    Organization
    Head of Section: Mr. Stephan K. Ohme
    German skills programmes, micro projects and NGOs: Ms. Melanie Lichter
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8915
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 344 5610
  • Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Section

    This section represents the German Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs (BMELV). 

    Irrigation on field Enlarge image (© picture-alliance/ dpa) The BMELV’s main aims include promoting a balanced, healthy diet and safe foods, ensuring that everyday goods are safe, assisting in the development of clear consumer rights and helping to ensure that the agricultural sector is strong and able to perform the duties required of it. 

    The section has regional responsibilities and handles South Africa in addition to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe und Swaziland.

    Contact the Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Section

    Read more abour Food, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs

    Organization
    Head of Section: Hermann Intemann
    Office Administration: Ms. Melanie Lichter; Secretary: Mrs. Manuela Morgan
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8929
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 344 5610
  • Research, Science and Technology

    Nanotechnology Enlarge image (© picture-alliance/dpa) South Africa is Germany´s main cooperation partner in Africa when it comes to science and technology. 

    Common research takes place in the areas of advanced manufacturing, climate change, energy, astronomy, biodiversity, geosciences, sustainability research and sustainable land management.

    Contact the Research, Science and Technology Section

    Read more about Research, Science and Technology

    Organization
    Head of Section: Maja Clausen
    Secretary: Manuela Morgan
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8934
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 343 3606
  • Defence Attaché

    The Defence Attaché and Assistant Defence Attaché are representatives for the German Navy, Air Force, Medical Health Service and the Army. In addition to South Africa, their area of responsibility includes Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Defence Attaché advises the Ambassador on military and security matters, as well as on relevant policy developments in the regions for which he is accredited. Another responsibility is the facilitation of cooperation between the German Federal Ministry of Defence and the Ministries of the Defence of the above-mentioned Southern African countries.

    Contact the Defence Attaché's Office

    Organization
    Defence Attaché: Thomas Andrejews
    Assistant Defence Attaché: Thomas Burchert; Office Coordinator: Holger Leggewie, Secretary: Cornelia Kuhles
    Phone:
    +27 (0)12 427 8900
    Fax:
    +27 (0)12 344 3629

German Consulate General and Honorary Consuls

  • Consulate General Cape Town

    Cape Town Enlarge image (© picture-alliance/dpa) The German Embassy Pretoria is the diplomatic representative of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Republic of South Africa, as well as the Kingdoms of Swaziland and Lesotho. 

    If you live in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape, however, please contact the Consulate General in Cape Town for any requirements. 

    Here you can contact the Consulate via the contact form or go directly to their website.

    Contact via e-mail

    www.capetown.diplo.de

    Organization
    Consul General: Hans-Werner Bussmann
    Address

    19th Floor
    Triangle House (formerly Safmarine House)
    22 Riebeek Street
    Cape Town 8001

    Postal Address:
    P.O.Box 4273
    Cape Town, 8000

    Phone:
    +27 (0) 21 405 3000
    Passport and Visa Section:+27 (0) 21 405 3052 (only Mondays to Thursdays 2pm -4pm)
    Fax:
    +27 (0) 21 421 0400
    Passport-and Visa Section:+27 (0)21 405 3010
  • Honorary Consul, Durban

    Enlarge image For KwaZulu Natal province, please contact the liaison office below.

    Contact the Honorary Consul, Durban

    Organization
    Honorary Consul: Horst Achtzehn
    Address

    9 Kensington Drive, 
    Westville, 
    Durban 3629

    Postal address:
    P.O. Box 1166, 
    Westville,
    Durban 3630

    Phone:
    +27 (0)31 266 3920
    Fax:
    +27 (0)31 266 3925
  • Honorary Consul, Port Elizabeth

    Enlarge image For the Eastern Cape province, please contact the liaison office below.

    Contact the Honorary Consul, Port Elizabeth

    Organization
    Honorary Consul: Philip Stucken
    Address

    Corner of William Moffat and Circular Drive
    Walmer, Port Elizabeth 6070

    Postal address:
    P.O. Box 211100, 
    The Fig Tree
    Port Elizabeth, 6033

    Phone:
    +27 (0)41 397 4700
    Fax:
    +27 (0)41 397 4730
  • Honorary Consul Maseru, Lesotho

    Organization
    Honorary Consul: Heinz Fiebig
    Address

    Postal Address:

    P.O. Box 75, Maseru 100, Lesotho

    Phone:
    +266 22 332292 (or 332983)
    Fax:
    Fax +266 22 334198 (or +266 22 316019)
  • Liaison office Mbabane, Swaziland

    Organization
    Liaison officer: Angelina Töpfer
    Address

    Lilunga House, 3rd Floor
    Samhlolo Street
    Mbabane
    Swaziland

    Contact the liaison office via e-mail

    Phone:
    +268 40 43 174
    Fax:
    +268 40 90 042

The Embassy

German Embassy

How to find us

German Embassy

The German Embassy Pretoria is located in Arcadia, Pretoria. Our Visa and Consular Section is in Hatfield. Please follow the link for opening times, maps, directions and our physical and postal addresses.

Opening hours and contact details of the German Embassy Pretoria

German Embassy Pretoria

Consular jurisdiction: Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga, as well as the Kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland.
There are no public visiting hours at the Embassy. Please ensure you have an appointment with an Embassy official in order to access the premises.

The Visa and Consular sections are not located at Blackwood Street.

Contact us via e-mail

Address

180 Blackwood Street, Arcadia, Pretoria

Phone:
+27 (0)12 427 8900
Fax:
+27 (0)12 343 9401

Emergency Contacts

In case of emergency, please contact us as follows:

Embassy Pretoria

Mon - Thu

07:30-16:30

Friday

07:30-13:30

Telephone

+27 (0)12 427 8900

After hours:

+27 (0)83 325 2694 (also via sms)

Please note that this number should only be used by German citizens in cases of emergency, not for visa enquiries.

Consulate General Cape Town

Mon - Thu 

07:30-16:45

Friday
07:30-13:30

Telephone

+27 (0)21 405 3000

After hours

+27 (0)83 325 6513 (also via sms)

Please note that this number should only be used by German citizens in cases of emergency, not for visa enquiries.

South African emergency numbers
Police
10111
Ambulance
10177

Visa Section Pretoria

Application submissions only after prior booking online or via phone 
0861 00 22 45 (Mon-Fri, 8:00-17:00).

Online Appointments

Opening Hours Applications:
Monday-Friday

 07:30 - 12:00

Collections (Counter 1)
Monday-Friday

 12:00 - 13:00

Public Holidays 2011

Telephone and e-mail enquiries:

Monday-Thursday

09:00 - 15:00

Friday

09:00 - 13:00

Telephone

+27 (0)12 427 8974

Enquiries via e-mail

Further information on visas

Comment

Unfortunately, there is no parking available on the premises. For visitors with disabilities, parking can be arranged.

Address

1267 Pretorius Street "Hadefields Office Park", Hatfield, Pretoria 0083

Directions

Fax:
+27 (0)12 427 8984 (please do not send any documents prior to application submission)

Consular/Passport Section Pretoria

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW OPENING HOURS 2012

New opening hours

PASSPORT

Please make an appointment to apply for a German passport.

Appointments via telephone (also via e-mail):
Monday, Thursday
08:00-10:00 and 13:00-16:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
08:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00
Friday
08:00-10:00
Telephone
+27 (0)12 427 8977

Online appointments (Passport application)

Contact via e-mail

Opening hours for applicants (only with appointment):
Monday, Thursday, Friday
08:00-12:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
13:00-15:00

Public Holidays 2011

Passport collection (without appointment):
Monday, Thursday, Friday
11:00-12:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
14:00-15:00

Telephone enquiries Passport Section:
Monday, Thursday
13:00-15:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
10:00-12:00

Telephone

+27 (0)12 427 8976

+27 (0)12 427 8978

OTHER CONSULAR SERVICES

Please make an appointment for the following Consular services:
- Registration of births
- Name declarations
- Public Registry affairs (e.g. adoption, divorce, etc.)
- Notarial certifications (e.g. inheritance, Power of Attorney, etc.)

Appointments and enquiries via telephone (also via e-mail):
Monday, Thursday
08:00-10:00 and 13:00-16:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
08:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00
Friday
08:00-10:00

Contact via e-mail

Opening hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday
10:00-12:00
Tuesday, Wednesday
13:00-15:00

Comment

Unfortunately, there is no parking available on the premises. For visitors with disabilities, parking can be arranged.

Address

1267 Pretorius Street "Hadefields Office Park", Hatfield, Pretoria 0083

Directions