Chidinma Iroegbu and Esther Oseyiomon
South Africa says it will continue to use cultural and soft diplomacy to strengthen its relationship with Nigeria, with tourism, music, film and the arts providing avenues for closer ties.
Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa to Nigeria, Her Excellency Lindy Mminele, stated this on Wednesday, September 30, at the Heritage Day Celebration 2026 held at the South African High Commission in Abuja.
The event brings Nigerians and South Africans together to celebrate cultural diversity, traditions and shared connections through food, music and storytelling.
South African and Nigerian dishes are served at the event, while music from both countries is played as guests experience aspects of each other’s culture and way of life.
Mminele says South Africa’s tourism destinations remain open to Nigerian travellers, including Cape Town and Mpumalanga, adding that the country is “still open for business” to tourists.
“So our offerings of Mpumalanga or any other province of South Africa for tourism is open for business,” she says, listing Table Mountain, wine routes, nature resorts and adventure activities among the country’s attractions.
She says cultural cooperation between Nigeria and South Africa remains active, particularly in music and film, noting that Nigerian productions from Nollywood are “very much loved in South Africa.”
According to Mminele, both countries also operate under a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural cooperation, through which South Africa participates in Nigeria’s Zuma Film Festival.
She adds that Nigerians also participate in South African film festivals, including those held in Durban, describing the relationship between cultural institutions in both countries as “tight and ongoing.”
The Abuja celebration provides an opportunity for both countries to showcase their cuisine, music, traditions and stories while promoting cultural exchange and stronger people-to-people connections between Nigeria and South Africa.