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South Africa

Culture

Library Jams Episode 9 at LAPA SIO © Thabang Taukobong

Library Jams Episode 9 at LAPA SIO © Thabang Taukobong

We promote cultural exchange, education and social discourse

We foster bilateral cultural exchange programs between Germany and South Africa. We initiate film series, exhibitions, concerts, seminars and festivals, always with the goal to facilitate artistic production, reception and reflection involving actors from both countries.

PLAYFUL OBSCURA (Third Edition)

Arthouse Games Residency Africa 2027

As part of the Goethe-Institut commissioned project, GamesConnect AFRICA, A MAZE., Goethe-Institut Addis Abeba, Creative HUB Ethiopia, British Council and Alliance Ethio-Française are pleased to announce an open call for the PLAYFUL OBSCURA - Arthouse Games Residency, a three-week artist residency will take place from 25 Jan 2027 - 14 Feb 2027 in Addis Abeba 2026, Ethiopia.

Graphic for the PLAYFUL OBSCURA: Arthouse Games Residency Africa 2027, featuring a colourful stylised logo on a soft textured background. © Woinshet Goshu © Woinshet Goshu

THE GPS 2026 JURY AND PROJECTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED

The GPS programme grants seed funding of up to R 100.000 per project to three artistic projects that are realised in rural and peri-urban parts of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini between February and November 2026. 

GPS Project 2026: Mohla-Monene © Mohla-Monene © Mohla-Monene

Funding for Arts and Culture

With its worldwide calls for proposals and residency programs, the Goethe-Institut opens up a space for new perspectives in which artists and cultural workers can pursue their projects free of economic pressure and establish and deepen lasting contacts.

Goethe-Institut Funding for Arts and Culture. Image:HGAA 2024 - I was her and she was me and those we might become 1 - Kitso Lelliott © Kitso Lelliott by Henri Perrot © Kitso Lelliott by Henri Perrot

International Coproduction Fund

Project Funding

With the ICF, we support co-productions worldwide that arise from collaborative and dialogical work processes between professional artists in the fields of music, dance, theater and performance.
 

International Coproduction fund | Key Visual/Artwork © Synaesthesik (Ginna Mora) © Synaesthesik (Ginna Mora)

  • Cultural Exchange

    The Goethe-Institut South Africa deals with many topics and issues, including critical ones. Relevant topics are discussed and debated both locally and globally in various formats and offerings.

    Imagination Night - Women Music Media © Shirin Motala © Shirin Motala

  • Arts, Music and Film

    The Goethe-Institut strives to support local arts and culture. Discover our programs, events, and initiatives designed to inspire, challenge, and connect. 

    Library Jams @ Goethe Institut: Spha Mandalose © Thabang Taukobong © Thabang Taukobong

  • Media & Technology

    Discover captivating projects that resonate with your passion for media and technology. Our focus spans across the realms of Gaming, Podcasts, and Robotics.

    Nao Roboter in Residenz @ Goethe-Institut Johannesburg © Brian Mojalefa © Brian Mojalefa

  • Research on Cultural Relations in Sub-Saharan Africa

    Imagining Impacts

    The significance of cultural relations, along with artistic and heritage practices, is widely acknowledged. However, there is limited research specifically addressing this within Sub-Saharan Africa. Imagining Impacts is a research initiative undertaken by the Goethe-Institut South Africa and the University of Cape Town’s African Centre for Cities, aimed at filling this research gap.

    Imagining Impacts: Research on Cultural Relations in Sub-Saharan Africa    

  • Cav' Platform

    Cav’ - a South African vernacular expression used to say “check it out” or “understand”

    As Cav’ Creative Economies Platform, we aim to be a catalyst for furthering, enabling and improving income-generating opportunities for creative entrepreneurs through access to: skills-training, mentorship, relevant information, networks, networking opportunities and market/showcasing opportunities
     

    'cav logo . .

Projects

Online Offers

  • German Films

    Film archive

    Our Film archive offers approximately 600 German feature films and documentaries (with various subtitle languages). Cinemas, film festivals, cultural and educational institutions are welcome to borrow them free of charge for non-commercial purposes. We look forward to receiving your request.

  • Goethe on Demand

    Watch films online

    The Goethe-Institut presents a carefully curated collection of German films, available to stream for free. Discover award-winning festival hits, exciting new voices in German cinema and legendary film classics – and find your own personal favourites. Sit back, make yourself comfortable and… action!

    Person sitting behind a television with static noise; arms loosely draped over the screen. © Nick Fancher, Unsplash © Nick Fancher, Unsplash

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