VIZA (Vlaams Instituut voor Zuidelijk Afrika –
Flemish Institute for Southern Africa) started in 1992 as a project
for reciprocal contacts and collaboration between Flanders and South
Africa. It started when I visited South Africa for the first time in
June 1991 with a mission and on demand of the South African
ambassador in Belgium. A second working visit took place in 1995 at
the invitation of South African Tourism. Meanwhile the project was
building out exchanging programmes for artists. VIZA became more and
more an information centre about and a promotion centre for South
Africa. There was also the Magazine “Jacaranda”.
Meanwhile new contacts were built out and several events were organised. VIZA became a partner of the South African Embassy in Flanders. Every year we had working visits and other visits to South Africa. VIZA acted more and more as the host for South African delegations in Flanders. From 2000 on VIZA became an independent institute.
Meanwhile there is a wide network in South Africa. In Flanders VIZA works together with other partners who organise activities in South Africa, i.e. in terms of social economic matters.
Meanwhile new contacts were built out and several events were organised. VIZA became a partner of the South African Embassy in Flanders. Every year we had working visits and other visits to South Africa. VIZA acted more and more as the host for South African delegations in Flanders. From 2000 on VIZA became an independent institute.
Meanwhile there is a wide network in South Africa. In Flanders VIZA works together with other partners who organise activities in South Africa, i.e. in terms of social economic matters.
In 2005 VIZA is recognized by the Flemish Government as “station of support” for the relationship between Flanders and South Africa. VIZA is following the several evolutions in South Africa, organises lectures, collects all information about South Africa and places it at disposal of everyone (i.e. educational services, journalists, entrepreneurs, …).
VIZA acts as a centre of knowledge about South Africa. Otherwise VIZA acts also as point of mutual interest from Flanders towards South Africa. Frequently VIZA reports the South African Embassy about the Flemish evolutions.