The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach.We promote knowledge of the German language abroad and foster international cultural cooperation. We convey a comprehensive picture of Germany by providing information on Germany's cultural, social and political life.
Through our network of Goethe-Institutes, Goethe Centres, cultural societies and reading rooms, alongside our examination and language learning centres, we perform the principal tasks of cultural and educational policy abroad. We work in partnership with public and private cultural bodies, the German federal states and municipalities, and the corporate sector.
We draw on the rich variety of our many-faceted open society and Germany's lively culture. We combine the experiences and conceptions of our partners in Germany and abroad with our professional skills and engage in a dialogue rooted in partnership. In doing so, we function as service providers and partners for everyone taking an active interest in Germany and the German language and culture, and act independently with no political affiliations.
We face the cultural policy challenges of globalisation and develop innovative concepts for a world made more human through mutual understanding, where cultural diversity is seen as an asset.
The Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg regulates the work in the Sub-Saharan countries including 11 institutes and 14 Goethe reading/cultural centers. In addition we work together with German embassies in countries where Goethe is not represented.
Our Cultural Programmes Department focuses on a variety of different artistic approaches from the visual arts to drama, dance, literature, film, and others. Our goal is to support the local cultural scenes and strengthen pan-African dialogue through the arts.
Our Language department offers German lessons in the Goethe-Institut and otherwise. It supports German teachers in the country and works closely together with the department of education.
The Library and Information Department works in partnership with libraries and other institutions involved in book and reading promotion in South Africa. Furthermore, we encourage exchanges between information specialists and publishers in South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Germany. Our library offers a broad variety of information and media on Germany. With the eLibrary service, ebooks and other digital media can be borrowed (and enjoyed) electronically.
Learn more about the work of the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg in the video below.Double-click on the video to watch in full frame.
