Departing South African Ambassador Gert Johannes Grobler said Wednesday that economic ties between his country and Japan have grown rapidly in recent years but can expand more.
During a courtesy visit to The Japan Times, Grobler said that many countries — including Japan — have realized the growing strategic importance of Africa, especially as a base for expanding business opportunities.
"Africa is really changing . . . the continent today is a different place from what it was 30 to 40 years ago. Obviously, there are challenges in some parts of the continent, but there's a growing move towards democracy," he said.
"South Africa and Japan can work (together) for the development and economic growth on the continent," he added.
In the fields of trade and investment, he said Chinese, South Korean and Indian companies have boosted their presence in South Africa in recent years, adding that he would like to see "Japan become more visible" in such a competitive environment.
Grobler, who is finishing his three-year assignment to Tokyo this month, will become South Africa's ambassador to Madagascar.
