A heartfelt welcome to the home page of the Austrian Embassy

Dear friends and fellow Austrians,

It is a pleasure and privilege to serve as Austrian Ambassador to South Africa. The land is in full transformation and full of surprises. Endings are followed by new beginnings and success by new challenges. A position we Austrians can readily identify with.

The ties that bind Austria and South Africa together are manyfold and varied. The strongest link in our relationship, however, are the estimated 20.000 Austrian citizens who have made South Africa their home. By their every day work they have made and continue to make important contributions to the wellbeing and prosperity of their new home country.

More than 100 years ago Abbot Franz Pfanner and his small group of pioneering companions founded Marianhill and the famous St. Francis College. Today the city of Vienna continues this tradition by supporting the Orange Farm school project of Masibambane.

Many Austrian have come in search for a new and better life. They worked hard, raised families and created new and innovative business ventures. We at the Embassy are very proud of our Austrians in South Africa. We want to record their achievements and to write the story of their involvement in Southern Africa.

On a day to day basis the Austrian Embassy wants to provide you with the best possible assistance and service. The Embassy is in charge of seven countries, and is confronted with an ever changing legal environment. I therefore appeal to your understanding should your requests take longer to process than anticipated.

I can assure you that I myself and all our staff members will give our utmost to serve you courteously and efficiently.

Sincerely yours,

Otto Ditz