Flanders Southern Africa

27/05/2026

🤝On 14 June Nicolas Vandeviver, Deputy General Representative of Flanders in Southern Africa, had the privilege of meeting the Hon. Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, and Ms. Dineo Mmako, Acting Director General, at the RESET@50 media launch at the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto hosted by the National Youth Development Agency(NYDA).

🗳️ As South Africa approaches the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, RESET@50 offers a timely moment to reflect on the legacy of past generations while inspiring today’s youth to help shape more inclusive and democratic societies. By promoting civic participation, skills development, youth empowerment, and mental well-being, the initiative underscores an important message: young people must not only be heard but meaningfully included in decision-making processes. Supporting active and critical citizenship – with attention to both mental and physical well-being – is a shared priority for Flanders, at home and abroad.

🔗 For more than 20 years, Flanders🦁and South Africa 🇿🇦 have built a strong partnership in youth affairs, empowering generations of young people. We remain committed to deepening this collaboration for the benefit of future generations.



Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media

21/05/2026

Pleasant and highly engaging meeting today with Dr. Sven Botha the University of Pretoria (UP) 🇿🇦

Great to exchange views on South Africa’s foreign policy 🌍🌐, the role and future of BRICS 🤝🌏, and what it all means for international partnerships — including with Flanders 🦁🇧🇪🇿🇦. Always energising to dive into such open, insightful and forward-looking discussions! 💡🧠

We also looked ahead to the local elections later this year 🗳️📅 — an important moment that will shape governance 🏛️, service delivery 🚰⚡, and political dynamics at municipal level.

Thank you, Sven, and looking forward to continuing the dialogue 🔄🤝


Thomas Castrel

17/05/2026

🌈 IDAHOBIT 2026 - Genuine democracy leaves no one behind

On 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia ( ), people around the world draw attention to the rights, dignity and safety of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Through thousands of local initiatives, this collective engagement gives the day strong international visibility.

IDAHOBIT is both a moment of protest and of celebration: standing against discrimination and violence, while affirming sexual and gender diversity.

🔹 Democracy requires vigilance

With the slogan “At the heart of democracy”, IDAHOBIT 2026 highlights a simple truth: genuine democracy leaves no one behind. Even today, rights are under pressure. While Belgium ranks highly on ILGA Europe's Rainbow Index, signals from civil society organisations remind us that continued vigilance remains essential.

🤝 Commitment in Flanders and worldwide

The Flemish authorities support hashtag initiatives that promote visibility and inclusion. They have also contributed to the Interfederal LGBTQIA+ Action Plan.
Internationally, Flanders plays an active role through its Diplomatic Representations - from expressions of solidarity and Pride participation to policy dialogues, commemorations and contributions to international forums in cities such as Vienna, Budapest, Copenhagen, Paris, Pretoria and New York.

Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

15/05/2026

After 19 years of development cooperation, Flanders in Southern Africa is closing its country office in Malawi 🇲🇼✨

Today, we take a moment to reflect on a long and meaningful journey 🕊️📖. Nearly two decades of work in Malawi were built on strong partnerships, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to sustainable development 🌱🤝. We are deeply grateful to all our Malawian and international partners who worked alongside us over the years — thank you for your dedication, cooperation, and shared vision 🙏🌍

A special and heartfelt thank you goes to our team on the ground 💙👏. Irene Mambala and Yanjanani Kamba have been the steady pillars of the office, ensuring professionalism, continuity, and commitment all the way to the very end 🌟💼

As one chapter comes to a close 📘➡️📕, another begins. We warmly wish our Deputy Representative, Laurijn Van Steenbergen, every success and fulfilment in his next mission 🍀🚀

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey — your contribution truly mattered 💫


Castrel

14/05/2026

💡The Government of Flanders 🦁 is proud to have funded South Africa’s Low‑Carbon and Energy‑Positive Industrial Spaces project, launched in April 2025 and highlighted by the World Economic Forum on 6 May 2026.

By promoting energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy in industrial clusters, the project contributes to South Africa’s wider strategic shift toward clean, competitive and future‑oriented manufacturing and self‑sustaining low‑carbon industrial ecosystems.

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/05/with-industrial-clusters-south-africa-moving-up-manufacturing-value-chain/



Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

South Africa’s industrial clusters are showing the world that clean industrialization can attract investment, bolster competitiveness and power growth.

13/05/2026

From 27–30 April, our General Representative Thomas Castrel joined a UNESCO-led Steering Committee meeting in Maun 🇧🇼. Together with representatives from Botswana, Angola 🇦🇴 and Namibia 🇳🇦, we explored the implementation of a transnational extension of the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site to include Angola and Namibia🌍✨.

The feasibility study was funded by the Government of Flanders 🦁 through the Flanders UNESCO Trust Fund (FUT). It now underpins the ongoing work, which is supported by the Department of Environment (Departement Omgeving) as part of Flanders’ international biodiversity financing efforts, with a focus on water management, nature, and immovable heritage.

This meeting marks another milestone in the strong partnership between Flanders and UNESCO, built on shared responsibility and global solidarity 🤝💚. The extension of the Okavango World Heritage Site will provide a model for international nature governance and the integration of water management, climate adaptation and biodiversity protection across borders.

More details are available on UNESCO's website: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/southern-africa-celebrates-african-world-heritage-day



Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Unesco Regional Office for Southern Africa

11/05/2026

🌍⚓ Flanders continues to strengthen its role as a global leader in port expertise!

Flanders hosts one of Europe’s most advanced port ecosystems, with the Port of Antwerp‑Bruges as its central powerhouse. Through Port of Antwerp‑Bruges International (PoABI) and the APEC training centre, this expertise is shared worldwide via consultancy, training, and capacity‑building programmes. 🌐📚

🤝 On 22 January 2026, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Transnet and the Port of Antwerp‑Bruges signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This three‑year partnership focuses on operational excellence, digitalisation, sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure planning.

📅 On 8 May, the Delegation of Flanders in Pretoria, APEC, and PoABI met with a high‑level Transnet delegation, led by Group Chief Executive Adv. Michelle Phillips, to finalise the partnership details and establish a Joint Monitoring Committee to oversee the MoU’s implementation.

We look forward to following the evolution of this promising collaboration! 🚀



Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Transnet National Ports Authority Port of Antwerp-Bruges

08/05/2026

🌍 Circular Economy Discussions ♻️

Transitioning to a circular economy is essential for building a sustainable future, 🌱especially as the pressure on our planet’s resources keeps growing. With strong industrial sectors, a world class recycling industry, and a vibrant network of knowledge institutions, Flanders is uniquely positioned to lead this shift.💡

As part of 🦁Flanders’ long-standing commitment to partnerships that drive real impact, we were delighted to host representatives from the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN), the Industrial Development Corporation, and the EU in South Africa for an engaging discussion on the circular economy in South Africa — a conversation full of insights and shared desire for collaboration.🤝

🌿🌍

Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office

28/04/2026

On Friday, we said goodbye to Arthur Cleemput, our intern over the past few months. 🙌
Thank you, Arthur, for always being ready to assist, for your flexibility, hard work, and eagerness to learn. 💡💼

From all of us at the 🦁 Delegation of Flanders: a heartfelt thank you and our very best wishes for the journey ahead. 👣✨
We have no doubt you’ll make a success of anything you pursue! 🌟



Flanders Chancellery and Foreign Office Departement Kanselarij en Buitenlandse Zaken

27/04/2026