Namibia–South Africa relations Rand (approximately US $36,274), down from 927,917 rand in 2007. The issue of Walvis Bay, an important port over which South Africa retained control following independence, was returned to the government of Namibia on 1 March 1994, prior the election of Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa. Namibia–South Africa relations Namibia–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Namibia and South Africa. South Africa conquered the area now known as Namibia from Germany during World War I and occupied it until 1990, when it gained independence. During those 75 years, thousands of South Africans settled in
Malawi–South Africa relations Malawians were viewed as important workers in the South African mines due to their "skills, work discipline and lack of militancy". Malawi was the only country in Africa to maintain diplomatic relations with South Africa during the apartheid era. Hastings Banda was the first black President ever to visit South Africa in 1971 and the first chief of any foreign state to come since the United Kingdom's King George VI's visit in 1947. During his visit, Banda received a 21 gun salute and an official welcome from President Jacobus Johannes Fouché. White students at the University of Stellenbosch applauded him