SOUTH AFRICA AND THE NETHERLANDS REAFFIRM SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

By Precious Mupenzi.

• Minister Sisisi Tolashe hosted Ambassador Joanne Doornewaard to strengthen bilateral cooperation on social development.
• The two nations recommitted to finalising amendments to their longstanding social security agreement.
• Expanding support for youth, older persons, and people with disabilities remains central to the partnership.

On Friday, 1 August 2025, Minister of Social Development Ms Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe met with Her Excellency Joanne Doornewaard, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to South Africa, to reaffirm and deepen cooperation between the two countries in the field of social development. The bilateral engagement, held at the HSRC Building in Pretoria, focused on strengthening collaboration on social security and improving services for vulnerable populations.
Opening the meeting, Minister Tolashe reflected on the historical solidarity between the Netherlands and South Africa, particularly during the struggle against apartheid. “Your presence here today is once more a manifestation of the shared destiny which political and cultural history has bestowed on us,” she said. “Our people and our government will never forget the solidarity, support, and friendship from the Kingdom of the Netherlands during that critical period in our nation’s life.”

Since the signing of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding on Social Security in The Hague, South Africa has drawn valuable lessons from the Netherlands’ expertise in social protection systems. The meeting focused on finalising amendments to that agreement, particularly regarding changes in Dutch law on the exportability of benefits. Minister Tolashe acknowledged the delays and stressed the urgency to conclude outstanding matters. “I have been fully briefed and appreciate the urgency to finalise it without any further delays,” she said.

Ambassador Doornewaard welcomed this renewed momentum and reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation. She highlighted opportunities to deepen collaboration on youth services, support for older persons and their families, and disability mainstreaming. The engagement builds on resolutions made during the 2023 Joint Commission for Cooperation, where both nations agreed to broaden the scope of their partnership in social development.
Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Mr Peter Netshipale, provided an update on progress, noting that a final draft of the revised agreement has already been exchanged through diplomatic channels. The next step, he explained, is to finalise both the amending protocol and the updated Memorandum of Understanding by year-end.

Minister Tolashe closed the meeting by underscoring the importance of global solidarity during uncertain times. “We meet here today in the shadows of heightened stuttering economic growth and geopolitical tensions more serious than we have seen for generations,” she said. “It is at times like these that we need to continue to work together to weather these storms.”

Both delegations committed to continued dialogue and swift implementation, marking a new chapter in a longstanding partnership dedicated to building inclusive, resilient social systems.