Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Botswana. After a Meeting with President Masisi he called for closer cooperation between Europe and Africa. Katharina Kroll reports from Gaborone.
It is a symbolic first for the host, and accordingly, the line-up. For the first Time, the new President of Botswana can align a state visit. 21 gun salute halls across the huge tarmac. Infinitely wide open view over the flat Bush country. Military honor in the sweltering heat.
Then will be loud and cheerful, dancing, clapping and singing: A musical group performs the traditional dance Phathisi. The presidents and their wives under their umbrellas seem to be infected by the good mood.
Watch the Video 00:25 live Now 00:25 Min. 
Cheerful reception for the German President, Steinmeier in Gaborone
Early in the Morning in the neighboring country of South Africa, broken is the Federal President, after Botswana, to pay tribute also to the stable democracy of the country. Unlike in many other countries of the continent the change of power here “is completely draw, of course, according to the rules of the Constitution and peacefully,” stressed Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“In times where democracy is under pressure worldwide, are friendships like ours valuable,” he says later at the state Banquet. The host has lost his voice, can speak because of a cold.
Botswana is a role model in Africa
The way from the airport to the headquarters of President Mokgweetsi Masisi leads past the modern, glass high-rise buildings. Botswana has an impressive ascent. Until its independence in 1966, one of the poorest countries in the world, now has one of the highest Per capita income in Africa. The wealth came with the diamond trade. And the government has done, that the population also has something about it.
However, the valuable stock under the earth is finite. That is why President Masisi is looking for new Ways to earn money. He wants to get companies into the country, preferably foreign. And since the visit from Germany is coming just at the right time.
Sabine Dall’omo, CEO, Siemens southern and East Africa
A high-level business delegation has arrived with the President. “Botswana has a good education system. Everyone goes to school. There is a health system, the medical supply is guaranteed”, says Sabine DallOmo, the Boss of Siemens in South and East Africa. Add to this the tax advantages for investors. An absolutely attractive site, finds the Economist.
A reliable Partner for Botswana is also in the process of multilateral cooperation, whether in the United Nations or the African Union, Steinmeier said. “Europe and Africa, Africa and Europe need each other.”
The guest from Germany also know that Not everything shines in this country. The income is unequally distributed. Corruption, Aids, recurrent droughts impede the development. The two presidents agree on close cooperation in the area of climate protection and the solar energy.
Praise for South Africa’s new President
“Thank you, that you brought the German rain to South Africa,” said South African President Ramaphosa, when he received the Federal President on the day before. Ramaphosa was in the mood for Jokes. The visit of Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived for him at the right time. In the next year Parliament elections, Ramaphosa must fear for his ANC to get the absolute majority.
Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his South African colleague, Mr Ramaphosa
After years of stagnation, bad governance and corruption under the government of Jacob Zuma, Cyril Ramaphosa acquired a few months ago, the business of government. “We have started a journey of renewal,” said Ramaphosa. He wants to win back trust – in one’s own country and internationally.
This movement will support President Steinmeier. He praised the new policy Ramaphosas. The strengthening of the independence of the judiciary and the fight against corruption and against the self-enrichment of many of the former politician.
Shadows of the past
“Bare – Whites” and “Never Naked – Non-Whites” is in big letters on the entrance gates to the apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Suddenly, every visitor feels transported back to the times of racial segregation. A and depressing emotional Moment, even for the President of the Confederation.
Steinmeier with representatives of civil society in South Africa
In this special place, the Federal President reminded the audience that democracy is not axiomatic. He paid tribute to Nelson Mandela as a shining example of reconciliation and humanity and for his Vision of a United, democratic South Africa. “Our democracies are never finished and never perfect,” said Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “It still costs courage and effort, our courage and our effort to get you, and carry it into the future.”
How big are the problems in South Africa are the Federal President learned during the meeting with representatives of the civil society. The everyday life of many South Africans is far from the rainbow nation, Mandela once dreamed. Many in the country it is moving too slowly.
The memory of Mandela
“We all need partners.” The had told Frank-Walter Steinmeier in the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. “All against all” – as a result, the world will not be peaceful. And he condemned the “monster of aggressive nationalism, the shows in some places back in his Mouth”. Clear words – probably in the direction of the American President Donald Trump.
The South Africa Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg
As in Botswana, the Federal President also sought in South Africa’s allies, committed to a cooperative, rule-based order of peace. South Africa and Germany are from 2019, together, in the UN security Council. There, both countries are working together for global peace and multilateralism, and promised Cyril Ramaphosa after his conversation with Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “To us”, many have looked to the joint Engagement on the African Continent, is the Federal President was safe.