Thomas Schoppa       Cultural Attaché German Consulate General 19th Floor, Safmarine House 22 Riebeek Street Cape Town 8001

Mostly, people learn about the German Consulate General when applying for a German passport or a visa to travel to Germany.

These are two of the main services, indeed, the German Consulate offers through its Consular and Legal Section. However, the Consulate offers a variety of other services, as well.

For example, the Consular section acts as a registrar's office for all German nationals residing in its area of jurisdiction that covers the 3 Cape provinces and St. Helena. Furthermore, the Consular Section renders legal support to German nationals facing problems while staying in the Cape region.

Apart from the Consular Section the Consulate General also comprises a Cultural Section. Its main aim is to promote the cultural and educational exchange between Germany and the Cape provinces. To achieve this goal the Consulate General - often in co-operation with the Goethe-Institute Johannesburg or local institutions - organises various events throughout the year, e.g. exhibitions, film screenings or musical performances, to showcase as well the modern as the classical German cultural scene.

On the other hand the Consulate General acts on behalf of German academic institutions, mainly the German Academic Exchange Service, to support students and scientists taking part in programmes offered by said institutions.

German International School in Cape Town (Photo: DSK)

Another important area of responsibility is the close cooperation with the German International School in Cape Town. The German School is sponsored by the German government and offers classes from primary to high school level finishing with the South African as well as the German High School Diploma (NSC and Abitur, respectively).

The Economic Section supports the efforts of the Western Cape Regional office of the German-Southern African Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Cape Town to promote foreign trade and investment between Germany and the Cape provinces.

22 Riebeek Street

22 Riebeek Street

Selfhelp groups and non-governmental institutions/organisations can contact the Consulate General to seek financial support for micro projects.

The Administrative Section is responsible for the inner tasks of the Consulate General. This includes the management of human resources, finances and communication services as well as dealing with organisational, technical or security matters.

Finally, the Press and Public Relations Section distributes news and information material as well to journalists as to the public in order to promote an image of today’s modern Germany and its people within the Cape region.