Ambassador Gjermund Saether ended his tenure as Norway’s envoy to South Africa positively, thanks to his country’s full involvement in the G20 as a guest nation. He highlighted strengthened ties in upholding international law amid global challenges. Saether departed Pretoria after three and a half years, citing improved bilateral relations.
Gjermund Saether, Norway’s ambassador to South Africa, wrapped up his posting last week with optimism, buoyed by his nation’s active role in the G20 summit hosted by South Africa. Invited as a special guest despite not being a member, Norway joined fully in the year’s meetings, which Saether said elevated relations to a “new high.”
The ambassador praised South Africa’s handling of the event, especially given the US boycott led by President Donald Trump. Trump cited claims of Afrikaners being “slaughtered and their land and farms... illegally confiscated,” a stance the Norwegian prime minister deemed “really not acceptable.” This absence, along with Argentina’s dissociation from the summit declaration, underscored a broader erosion of multilateralism, Saether noted. Still, South Africa secured a summit declaration and focused on key issues like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, development financing, and Africa’s growth via the African Engagement Framework.
Norway valued efforts against illicit financial flows, which drain at least $80-billion annually from Africa, and expert panels led by Joseph Stiglitz on inequality and Trevor Manuel on debt. Bilateral ties deepened through Norwegian investments in renewable energy, totaling billions with more expected.
Tensions arose in 2022 over Russia’s Ukraine invasion, as South Africa avoided strong condemnation, straining the friendship rooted in Norway’s anti-apartheid support. Yet convergence followed: both nations voted at the UN for Russia to return kidnapped Ukrainian children and rebuked a Russian strike on Yarova that killed 24. They aligned on Middle East issues, collaborating on an ICJ case against Israel and supporting the ICC against US sanctions.
Saether, leaving early for family reasons, reflected on double standards in global politics and urged balanced views on imperialism. He expressed surprise at lingering apartheid-era commemorations, like Verwoerd Avenue.
