The second half of the 19th century saw a rapid development in trade relations between the two countries.
The first Swiss consulate in South Africa was opened in Pretoria in 1887, followed by another in Cape Town in 1916. In 1960 the representation in Pretoria was updated to an embassy.
The SDC became active in South Africa during the final phase of the apartheid regime and contributed to the efforts to achieve a peaceful political transition. Switzerland also supported the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). In 2015 the SDC coordination office in South Africa was closed and merged with the office in Zimbabwe. SECO has had its own cooperation strategy for South Africa since 2009 and a programme team at the embassy in Pretoria since 2010.
South Africa, historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
Historical Diplomativ documents of Switzerland, Dodis