The Members of the German Bundestag, Senior Whip Thorsten Frei, Whip Stefan Müller, Whip Patrick Schnieder and Whip Hendrik Hoppenstedt, had a fascinating and important exchange with the leadership of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in Pretoria on security, geopolitics, migration and EU-AU partnerships. Dr Fonteh Akkum, CEO, Dr Jakkie Cilliers, Chairperson of the Board, and Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, Head of Special Projects, represented the ISS, one of our longstanding partners in South Africa. There was general agreement to focus on growth/jobs and human security as key drivers for development.
It was a great honour to showcase our human security projects we pursue in cooperation with South African Police Service, the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town. The delegation visited crime hot-spots in Cape Town, and MEC Reagen Allen and South African Police Service and City of Cape Town LEAP commanders briefed the parlamentarians on crime impact in communities and South Africa's crime-fighting efforts and challenges.
It was encouraging to see German Members of Parliament engaging on these crucial topics on the ground with committed LEAP, law enforcement and South African Police Service officers and community representatives.
Human security and the rule of law should be reflected more in development cooperation, as it is in the longstanding Western Cape - Bavaria partnership.
During the meeting with Western Cape MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger, an insightful exchange took place.
She outlined the Western Cape Government's growth for jobs initiatives and also referred to the long-standing Western Cape partnership with Bavaria.
An engaging, thoughtful conversation with Cardinal Stephen Brislin, the Archbishop of Cape Town, focussed particularly on social cohesion.
We were grateful to the representatives from our partner team at the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office in Cape Town who were part of this special, informative discussion as well.
The delegation engagements were arranged in cooperation with colleagues from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Office in South Africa who co-hosted the visit.
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