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South Africa

From the very beginning, the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg has been an open place
for dialogue and discourse in South Africa! 30 Years
Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

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© Thabang Taukobong

1995

In April 1995, two employees, together with the director of the institute at the time, Matthias Rick, began the founding and exploratory phase of the Goethe-Institut. 
In May, they are provided with offices in the German department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
The first program takes place on the occasion of Chancellor Helmut Kohl's state visit in September 1995. A jazz concert with Klaus Doldinger and his jazz group “Passport” - in Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria. 

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

1996

June to July 1996
 Establishment and Consolidation

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1996

June to July 1996
 Establishment and Consolidation

By January 1996, the Goethe-Institut moves into its own office and training facilities at 17 Baker Street in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The number of employees doubles to six and by February the institute is fully operational. 

The picture shows the front view of a modern building with a glass and metal front. The building has several floors with large windows. There is a palm tree to the left and right of the entrance. The number ‘17’ is clearly visible on both sides of the entrance.

17 Baker Street building in 2025 | © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg


The first German course starts on February 5, 1996, 10 months after the institute begins work. 
In May, the event The role of the Writers in a changing society using the example of South Africa and Germany with Nadine Gordimer, Thomas Brussig and Wolf Biermann takes place.

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© Bundesregierung | Christian Stutterheim

1996

23. July 1996
 Official Opening

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1996

23. July 1996
 Official Opening

On 23 July 1996, the Institute is officially opened by the then German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel and the South African Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo.

Read also the speech by Federal Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel at the opening of the Institute. 

  • Klaus Kinkel, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs (centre), Hilmar Hoffmann, President of the Goethe-Institut (l.) and South Africa's Foreign Minister Alfred Baphetuksolo Nzo at the signing of a contract to inaugurate the Goethe-Institut. In the background (centre right): Uwe Kaestner, German Ambassador
    Klaus Kinkel, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs (centre), Hilmar Hoffmann, President of the Goethe-Institut (l.) and South Africa's Foreign Minister Alfred Baphetuksolo Nzo at the signing of a contract to inaugurate the Goethe-Institut. In the background (centre right): Uwe Kaestner, German Ambassador © Bundesregierung | Christian Stutterheim
  • People from left to right. Peter Bafana Mahlangu (technician and driver), behind hidden cultural officer of the German Embassy Pretoria, Wiebke Wilhelm-Makgabo (reception), Khutso Makgabo (German teacher), trainee (name unknown), sitting Dr. Matthias Rick (institute director), Susan Sandison (head of administration), Stefan Hüsgen (head of language department), Elna Coetzer (language course management), Abel Farao (German teacher), Marina Snyman (information center)
    People from left to right. Peter Bafana Mahlangu (technician and driver), behind hidden cultural officer of the German Embassy Pretoria, Wiebke Wilhelm-Makgabo (reception), Khutso Makgabo (German teacher), trainee (name unknown), sitting Dr. Matthias Rick (institute director), Susan Sandison (head of administration), Stefan Hüsgen (head of language department), Elna Coetzer (language course management), Abel Farao (German teacher), Marina Snyman (information center) © Mattheus Els
  • Picture of the speech manuscript from Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Klaus Kinkel
    Picture of the speech manuscript from Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Klaus Kinkel © Bundesregierung | Klaus Kinkel
  • Picture of the speech manuscript from Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Klaus Kinkel
    Picture of the speech manuscript from Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Klaus Kinkel © Bundesregierung | Klaus Kinkel
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July to December
1996

July to December 1996

Due to the high demand, the Goethe-Institut quickly expands its language operations and offers courses for youth, business and lawyers' German. As a result, the institute expands and doubles its spatial capacity to 1100m². 
In addition, the Goethe-Institut supports the University of Mthatha (Walter Sisulu University) in the design of curricula, the selection of textbooks and teacher training. The North-West University (NWU) asks for help in the selection of teaching materials. The Goethe-Institut is establishing itself in its work and its programme.

© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

2000

at our current location
 new home

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2000

at our current location
 new home

Since the turn of the millennium, the institute was at home at the German Consulate General in Parkwood, Johannesburg.

The former old villa functions as an administration building and was extended by the annexe with library, auditorium, training rooms, gallery, atrium and further offices.

The new premises are necessary because the institute is growing continuously: the number of employees has grown to seventeen.

  • The picture shows the exterior view of the new Goethe-Institut Johannesburg building. The façade consists of large glass windows and the roof is elegantly curved. The entrance area has double glass doors that are framed and supported by two vertical columns. In front of the building is a small, well-tended green area with a lawn and a palm-like plant. The surroundings look neat and inviting.
    A new building was built for the Goethe-Institut, which is connected to the former old villa as an administration building. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows the library. The floor is made of wood, which gives the room a warm atmosphere. In the foreground are several comfortable blue armchairs grouped around small tables. In the background are several bookshelves and a staircase leads to an upper level where there are more shelves with books. In the centre of the room is a central desk area with various objects on it. Large windows allow plenty of natural light into the room and several plants provide a pleasant, green environment.
    The Infocenter was designed from the outset to be used in a variety of ways. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows the interior of the Infocenter. On the left is a large, curved staircase leading to an upper floor with more bookshelves. On the first floor there are several tables and chairs that can be used for reading or working. The area is surrounded by numerous bookshelves filled with books. The ceiling has an open design with visible metal beams. Hanging lights ensure that the room is evenly and brightly lit.
    The Infocenter is today the multifunctional space Library-Gamebox-Hub © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows the empty auditorium. Several rows of blue chairs are facing the front of the room, where there is a large white projection screen. To the left of the screen is a lectern. The room has a high ceiling with visible metal beams. Framed pictures hang on the walls and several small windows let in natural light.
    The auditorium is designed as a large event space and is multifunctional. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows the entrance area and reception. On the reight-hand side is a reception desk with a person sitting behind it. In the centre of the room there are several chairs and small tables, arranged as a seating area.
    The foyer with reception area and part of the gallery, which is used for exhibitions. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows a modern building complex consisting of two buildings with a paved inner courtyard in front of them. They are connected by a glazed corridor. The building on the left has a modern glass front with large windows and a curved roof. The building on the right has a more traditional appearance, also with a curved roof and several rectangular windows. In the foreground of the picture is a parking lot with clearly marked parking spaces. In the background, trees and shrubs surround the building complex and create a green, well-kept environment.
    The former old villa on the right as the administration building and the new building on the left. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
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© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

2005

The atrium of the institute and some sections of the exterior façade are painted with Ndebele paintings and show parts of the cultural diversity that the institute tries to reflect. The paintings are more than decoration; they tell stories, convey messages, and reflect the heritage of the Ndebele people.


 2008
 "Aktion Afrika" initiative

"For me, cultural relations and education policy [...] is not only a central component of German foreign policy. In view of the changes in globalization, it is perhaps the most modern and sustainable contribution to a far-sighted foreign policy. For me, two guiding principles are paramount: cooperation requires spaces for understanding, joint creativity and getting to know each other. Only on this basis can serious dialog take place, even about differences and disagreements. We want to develop these points of understanding."
 - Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Africa Festival 2008 in Würzburg -

From 2008, the ‘Aktion Afrika’ initiative focussed on expanding foreign cultural policy in sub-Saharan Africa in order to strengthen local connections and counter the greater involvement of China and Russia. German partner schools in Africa were supported and Goethe Institutes were newly opened and reopened. In Johannesburg, the budget for cultural and educational projects was increased and remained at a high level over the following 15 years. The relevance of the work was significantly increased and many good relationships with the cultural and educational scene can be traced back to this initiative.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier © Mark Römisch
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier


 2008
 African Photographers Portfolio Meetings

The Goethe-Institut and Simon Njami first initiated the Photographer's Master Class in 2008 as a forum for emerging African photographers and to facilitate a meeting of curators from Africa and Europe. 
The closed workshop takes place annually and consisted of a peer review process and an informal master class with individual portfolio reviews. 
2014, Akinbode Akinbiyi, Frédérique Chapuis, John Fleetwood, Simon Njami and Katrin Peters-Klaphake took part as mentors with twelve photographers from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda. This multi-year project aims to promote professional engagement between curators and photographers, facilitate networking across the region and stimulate critical discourse on the practice of photography. The workshop always coincides with a major art or photography event on the continent, providing a further framework for engagement and exposure.

A person sits at a desk and looks at a large monitor. The screen shows a black and white photo of several people working with metal rods and other materials in an industrial or construction environment. The person at the desk is operating a computer with a mouse and keyboard. © Monique Pelser

2009

The picture shows the entrance area of the Goethe-Institut with its large glass windows and curved roof. On the canopy above the entrance door is an eye-catching sculpture made of orange, red and black plastic chairs. To the right of the picture, near some plants, is another sculpture - a wooden dinosaur. The scene is surrounded by greenery and appears creative and inviting. On the right-hand side of the picture is the Facbook comment column with the text: ‘Goethe-Institut Johannesburg - 2 March 2009’ © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Part of the first post was a notation of the institute.
The picture shows two people walking towards a building labelled ‘GOETHE-INSTITUT GERMAN CULTURAL CENTRE’. The sign is attached to a brick wall, which is part of the building or the entrance area. The surrounding area is planted with greenery, trees and shrubs, giving the place a welcoming and well-kept appearance. The sky is clear and blue. On the right side of the image, the Facebook comment column is superimposed and gives the date of 2 March 2009. © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
Goethe-Institut joined Facebook 2009 to reach other audiences.
The picture shows a person in a colourful swimming costume floating on their back in a large, round, blue inflatable pool. The liquid in the pool appears to be dark in colour. Two other people are standing outside the pool, each holding a hand of the person lying in the water. The ground around the pool is covered with a yellow tarpaulin. On the right of the picture is the Fabeook commentary box with the following information: ‘Goethe-Institut Johannesburg - 2 March 2009 copyright Christo Doherty check out all the pics at http://www.flickr.com/search/...’ © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg | Christo Doherty
The first project on facebook was "Body Scan" by Christo Doherty

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2009

Tearing down the walls of the institute: “Cracking Walls" Project

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2009

'Cracking Walls' hosted by the Goethe-Institut was a series of events with the theme of bridging walls and the necessity of civil commitment to ensure a healthy democracy. 'Cracking Walls' culminated with the demolishing of a part of the wall that surrounds the Goethe-Institut on 9 November 2009.
 Cracking Walls Documentary
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© www.icon-world.com

2010


 FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa

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2010


 FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa

Together with the Federal Foreign Office, the Goethe-Institut organizes the largest cultural programme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa: from art exhibitions in the Johannesburg Art Gallery and Freedom Park, to DJ sets by Whirlpool Productions, the theater production X Apartments in Hillbrow and Soweto, as well as a trailer park with public viewing on the institute's sand-filled parking lot: the programme presents selected cultural events from Germany, the country of the previous World Cup, in South Africa. Abdullah Ibrahim, the Ensemble Modern, Frank Dellé, 2raumwohnung, Haroun Farocki and many others are invited by the Institute and represent Germany's commitment to both soccer and culture.

  • The picture shows the parking lot of the Goethe-Institut. Several people are gathered in front of two caravans. The ground is covered with sand and trees provide shade over the area. Some people are sitting on improvised seats made of wooden pallets, while others are standing, walking around or playing soccer. On the left side of the picture you can see the old villa with a sloping roof.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows a sandy area on which several caravans are parked next to each other. In front of the caravans, makeshift fabric sun canopies attached with poles provide shade over seating areas. People sit under the canopies and various objects such as chairs, tables and crates are placed around them. Trees and a building can be seen in the background.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • The picture shows five people standing on a small outdoor stage. The stage is on a sandy surface, with trees and a bus in the background. Behind the people hangs a large stage set depicting an urban cityscape. The scene takes place during the day, with sunlight casting shadows on the ground.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • Two people can be seen from behind. The person on the left is wearing an eye-catching, colorful hat with several small soccer models attached to it. The person on the right is standing next to it, their face is blurred. Both are looking at a screen.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
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© Music in Africa (MIAF)

2011

From an Idea to an Institution
 Music in Africa Foundation

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The picture shows a group of people dancing on a stage. The scene is bathed in vibrant, colorful light. The dancers are wearing colorful costumes that contribute to the dynamic atmosphere of the performance. There is a drum kit in the background. © Music in Africa (MIAF)

2011

From an Idea to an Institution
 Music in Africa Foundation

The Success

Music in Africa started as a project by the Goethe-Institut in 2011 and has fully-fledged in a pan-African organisation, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023. Music in Africa is operating across the continent and committed to the development of the African music sector.  

The Basis

The basis of Music in Africa's work is the Music In Africa Portal, which today is the largest information platform for the African music sector. The portal provides recent content from the music sectors all over the continent, informs about opportunities and serves as a platform to present and connect musicians, producers, distributors, festivals and organisations  

The Conference ACCES

The ACCES music conference has been another flagship project of the foundation, being the leading pan-African music conference for stakeholders in the music industry to exchange ideas, discover new talent and drive the development of a dynamic music sector in Africa. The event spans three days and offers a dynamic programme of industry talks, keynotes, live performances, networking sessions, pitch sessions, training workshops, exhibitions and shared recording spaces for participating artists. 

The Sounds Connects Fund

The largest co-operation project was Sound Connects Funds - a joint initiative of the Music in Africa Foundation and the Goethe-Institut. The Sound Connects Fund (SCF) is a multi-faceted initiative that aimed to accelerate the development and increase the capacity of the cultural and creative sector in Southern Africa by supporting eligible creative and cultural industry organisations in Southern Africa by providing financial support in the form of grants of various sizes and comprehensive capacity building programmes.  

Other notable projects of the Music in Africa Foundation are: 

  • Gender@Work 
  • Instrument Building Workshops
  • Revenue Streams for African Musicians (RSFAM) Research 

The picture shows a panel discussion as part of the ACCES - Music in Africa Conference for Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases event. Four panelists are sitting on the stage. Behind them is a large, colorful stage banner with an artistic depiction of a face, the word “acces” and the hashtag “#ACCES2023”. On the right of the banner, the words “The Music Business is here” are written in large letters. The audience can be seen in the foreground, facing the discussion. © Music in Africa (MIAF)

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© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

2015

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2015

GoetheOnMain was an innovative art space of the Goethe-Institut South Africa. It was located in Maboneng in downtown Johannesburg, at 245 Main Street, from 2009 to 2015. GoetheOnMain was created to provide a platform for artistic expression outside of the Goethe-Institut and to address cultural segregation in the city. 
The project aimed to promote artistic projects that work with different urban and social contexts. They were to be offered a platform on which they could present their work and enter into an exchange with an audience. The exhibitions and performances that took place there over the six years were deliberately experimental, interdisciplinary and socially relevant. For example, there were performances with shopping carts or exhibitions about forced evictions - themes that reflected everyday urban life and social tensions. Some of the artists presented were Lerato Shadi, Georg Dietz, Alexander Opper, Vaughn Sadie and many more. 
GoetheOnMain saw itself as a bridge between the city center and the suburbs, between established art scenes and new voices. It was an attempt to allow art to take place not only in galleries or elite spaces, but in the middle of urban life - accessible, critical and dialog-oriented. 
Since 2017, the “Goethe Project Space (GPS)” has continued the basic concept of GoetheOnMain without a fixed location.

  • The picture shows a group of people in front of a building with the lettering “GoetheonMain” above the entrance. There is a tree in front of the building and some people are standing near a table on which various objects are displayed or laid out. The scene takes place in the outdoor area directly in front of the building.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
  • A person in a gorilla costume is standing in an exhibition room. He is holding a sign with an inscription that is difficult to read. The person is looking at several small, framed works of art hanging on the wall.
    © Masimba Sasa
  • The picture shows a car in the GoetheOnMain showroom. The tires are spinning without the car moving and smoke is rising. A person walks past behind the car. Several stickers and lettering can be seen on the car.
    © Masimba Sasa
  • The picture shows an art installation in a gallery. On the left wall, ten small, rectangular photographs or prints are arranged in two rows of five pictures each in a grid. On the right-hand side, several tall, thin branches or sticks lean vertically against the wall. The floor is made of smooth, gray concrete.
    © Masimba Sasa
  • One person stands with their back to the camera. He is wearing a red top and a white hat with a red band. The person is holding a white jacket with a checkered pattern in their left hand and matching white trousers with the same pattern in their right hand. The background consists of a white brick wall.
    © Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
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Henrike Grohs
14.03.

2016

On March 13, Henrike Grohs was murdered together with 17 other people in a terrorist attack. She was the director of the Goethe-Institut in Abidjan and a former staff member at the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg.

In 2018, the Henrike Grohs Art Award (HGAA) is initiated in her memory.

Abantu Book Festival Logo Abantu Book Festival

2016

Goethe-Institut as kick-off partner
 Abantu Book Festival

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Abantu Book Festival Logo Abantu Book Festival

2016

Goethe-Institut as kick-off partner
 Abantu Book Festival

The first Abantu Book Festival takes place from 8-10 December. The aim is to present the work of black authors and - by choosing Soweto as the festival's location - to make them easily accessible to a black audience. The festival programme includes panel discussions, one-to-one talks, film screenings and performances on the theme of ‘Our Stories’, exploring current issues through courageous voices dealing with social phenomena.

Five authors from sub-Saharan Africa are invited with the support of the Goethe-Institut (Zukiswa Wanner and James Murua from Kenya, Chika Ungwe from Nigeria, Hawa Golakai from Liberia, NoViolet Bulawayo from Zimbabwe). Thanks to this support, the festival is enriched with the voices of black authors who are able to place the South African problem in a wider context.

Another aim of the Abantu Book Festival is to create connections between different communities that share similar experiences beyond the boundaries of ethnic, national, religious, gender and linguistic affiliation.

The Goethe-Institut's work receives a lot of attention at the festival's closing event on Saturday evening for its own "Literary Crossroads" series.

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© Goethe-Institut Johannesburg


 2017-2025

second part