Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visits Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock is in SA this week for the two-yearly meeting of the two countries’ Binational Commission. The Binational Commission was created by Nelson Mandela during his time in office in the spirit of shaping a common future together for these two countries. In the margins of the 2023 meeting, agreements on co-operation in vocational training as well as green hydrogen are the leading topics. This year the minister also took time to visit the Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria. The school is one of 140 German Schools Abroad offering education to German standards in 72 different countries.

Deputy Head Girl of the Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria Thabang Khedzi with Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

Upon her arrival on 27 June 2023 the DSP marimba group welcomed the minister and her delegation. During the tour of the school she met the robotics team members of the Creepy Crawlies who represented South Africa at the First Tech Challenge in the USA. She also toured the school’s solar system, which demonstrates the school’s energy self-sufficiency. During her address she expressed her appreciation to the learners for taking the time during their winter holiday to warmly welcome her to the school. She illuded to the fact that German Schools abroad such as The Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria do not just impart academic knowledge and language skills but places great importance on intercultural exchanges and actively promote partnerships with schools and tertiary institutions in Germany.

Annalena Baerbock (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen), Bundesaussenministerin, besucht die Deutsche Schule in Pretoria.

This gives learners the opportunity of getting to know Germany in situ as part of an exchange. The qualifications from German schools abroad are furthermore known worldwide for their high standards. With them, school-leavers have every chance of finding a job in Germany. Her conversations with various learners and even a shot or two on the soccer field made her visit memorable to the learners who came to school during the holidays to be part of the visit.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock with DSP Principal Manuel Hass

Photo credit :  Copyright Photothek