First State Visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium to South Africa

Their Majesties King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium made their first state visit ever to South Africa, from March 22 to March 27, 2023. 

They left Belgium on March 22 and landed in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa, close to nighttime. The official state visit of Their Majesties was at the invitation of South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa. 

The King and Queen with South African President and First Lady. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

The two world leaders discussed diplomatic relations between their countries, climate migration, and vaccines, among others.

Their visit began in Pretoria at the Union Buildings with interviews between Their Majesties, members of the ministerial delegation, President Ramaphosa, and his cabinet ministers.

Their Majesties made a courtesy visit to Alan Winde, Premier of Western Cape Town

Their Majesties visit Recreational Center. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

King Philippe then laid a wreath of flowers at Freedom Park, a memorial erected to those who lost their lives for freedom throughout history.

King Philippe visited two research organizations and learned about their programs, especially the transition to renewable energy in South Africa and stable electricity supply.

Queen Mathilde visited the University of Pretoria where she had the opportunity to speak with entrepreneurs and the academic community about the importance of social entrepreneurship.

State dinner with resident Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Tshepo Motsepe

At the end of the state dinner in Pretoria, King Philippe reaffirmed the strong ties between Belgium and South Africa. 

Their Majesties then traveled to Johannesburg City where the King paid a visit to a new diamond center in the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone. While Queen Mathilde visited the Educational System at Emuseni Day Care Center in Soweto.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visit the township of Philippi. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visit the township of Philippi. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

Their morning ended with a visit to the Hector Pieterson Museum, which was established in Soweto next to the spot where 12-year-old Hector Pieterson was shot and killed by the apartheid police in 1976.

This historic museum exhibited memorabilia related to the anti-apartheid uprising in Soweto where police opened fire on the crowd, killing 170 students.

South Africa is one of the largest diamond-producing countries in the world, with diamonds accounting for over 40% of the total export value to Belgium. 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's Cullinan Diamond, to date the world's largest diamond ever found, was mined in Pretoria during the reign of King Edward VII.

There was a jazz concert organized that night in honor of the King and Queen of Belgium. On the following day, they traveled to Cape Town, South Africa's oldest city and the country's legislative capital.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde visit Afrigen Biologics. Image: Belgian Royal Palace 

Their Majesties visited the Afrigen Biologics. The South African biotech company collaborated with two Belgian companies, Univercells and eTherna to develop the first mRNA African-owned COVID-19 vaccine.

They also visited the recreational, cultural, and entrepreneurial centers, and met the local community, including children.

Their Majesties visit Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

Their Majesties visit Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

Their Majesties visit Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. Image: Belgian Royal Palace

The King and Queen concluded their South African visit to Kirstenbosch, a botanical garden listed on the UNESCO World Site Heritage. This historic site is managed by the South African National Institute for Biodiversity.

Kirstenbosch is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world and is essential for the preservation of South African flora, especially rare species.