Welcome to the French Institute
of South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi

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Arts and Creative Industries

FĂȘte de la Musique returns to Johannesburg and Pretoria in June 2026

Created in France in 1982, FĂȘte de la Musique is now celebrated in more than 120 countries. Its guiding principle is simple: free music for all. Open to musicians of […]

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Education

We promote the exchange of knowledge through a network of schools, the training of French-speaking educators, opportunities for postgraduate studies in France and an extensive library and information centre.

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Arts and Creative Industries

We aim to strengthen cultural ties and partnerships between institutions and professionals in France and the region through multi-disciplinary exchanges, events, and creative collaborations.

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Science and Innovation

Our goal is to enhance bilateral relations between France and South Africa by supporting innovation, technology, and international research developments

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Governance and Human Rights

Our work focuses on building social cohesion through championing economic inclusion, feminist diplomacy and climate change.

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Governance and Human Rights

One year later: the effects of the 2025 HIV funding cuts

On 12 February 2026, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) hosted a panel discussion...

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One year later: the effects of the 2025 HIV funding cuts

Science and Innovation

South African proptech founder wins €10,000 at Female Funding Fit Demo Day

South African entrepreneur Nomfundo Makhoba, founder and CEO of Property Fusion, was awarded €10,000 to...

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South African proptech founder wins €10,000 at Female Funding Fit Demo Day

Education

A taste of France’s Alsace region in Southern Africa

From mid-March to early April 2026, two Michelin-starred chefs from Alsace in France, Hubert Maetz...

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A taste of France’s Alsace region in Southern Africa

Arts and Creative Industries

FĂȘte de la Musique returns to Johannesburg and Pretoria in June 2026

Created in France in 1982, FĂȘte de la Musique is now celebrated in more than...

Read more
FĂȘte de la Musique returns to Johannesburg and Pretoria in June 2026
Check it out
Arts and Creative Industries

Villa Lenox – The first French Artistic Residency in Southern Africa

  Opening in the first half of 2027, Villa Lenox will become the new creative heartbeat of Cape Town. Spanning approximately 300 mÂČ across three exceptional live-in studios, it will […]

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Calls for Applications
Education

English Language Assistants Program in France

The recruitment campaign for the English Language Teaching Assistants in France for the 2026-2027...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Call Closed! Futures_Past: Open Call for Applications from Immersive Artist Teams

Deadline: 9 November 2025 The Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi,...

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Création Africa

Call Closed! Call for Entrepreneurs: CrĂ©ation Africa – South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi

Deadline for application is 7 December 2025 at 23:59’ SAST After a successful first...

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Partner with us

Localised cooperation

Local cooperation is based on partnerships between French authorities (regions, departments, inter-municipalities, districts) and foreign authorities, involving human exchanges and relationships of trust. It is a pillar of French external action.

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Key Partnership Projects

Governance and Human Rights

Private: Launching Play 4 SRHR Project

Pretoria, 22 June 2023 – The Embassy of France, Kick4Life, Tackle & Umunthu Foundation...

Education

Private: French language FSPI in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi

The launching seminar of the French language project in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi,...

Arts and Creative Industries

IQOQO – The Art & Creative Industries Platform in South Africa

The French Institute and the French Embassy in South Africa, are excited to introduce...

Arts and Creative Industries

Private: Matrimoine exhibition demonstrates the legacy of cross-cultural exchange between France and South Africa  

Working in collaboration with French artist Laurent-Marie Joubert, South African muralists Maria Nokufa and...

Governance and Human Rights

Generation Equality Forum to drive Major Policy Reforms and Generate over $40 Billion in New Investments

Heads of State and Government, heads of international organizations, activists from civil society and...

Arts and Creative Industries

Private: Cradle of Creativity 2023 offers a feast of engaging arts for young theatre goers

The French Institute of South Africa is excited to partner with the 2023 Cradle...

Key Partners

The French Institute has a range of successful partnerships with educational and research institutions, non-governmental organisations, governmental organisations, cultural organisations and esteemed multinational organisations. We are committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with partners who provide a vital mutual transfer of ideas and support to help us reach our shared cooperation goals between France, South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. Partner with us today.

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The Création Africa Top 50 is a true reflection of the depth and diversity of the cultural and creative industries! #CreationAfrica2 #FrenchInstituteSA
🎉 Meet the selected Top 50 entrepreneurs for the second edition of CrĂ©ation Africa, from South Africa. Lesotho and Malawi 🎉 Congratulations as they begin a seven-week mentorship journey with UVU Africa and its digital skills and innovation division CAPACITI. 👏
A conversation exploring the impact of the 2025 funding cuts for the HIV response, especially for at risk and LGBTQIA+ communities. The panel will consist of leading experts in the field, both within health research and operating directly on the ground with affected groups.
As part of the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) 30th anniversary, this film turns to Lesotho to spotlight artists and cultural practitioners involved in co-creation initiatives supported by IFAS. Shot across the Mountain Kingdom, it features voices that have helped define the Institute’s work over the past three decades. Directed by Adam Heyns.
As part of the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) 30th anniversary, a visit to Malawi captured the stories of artists and cultural practitioners involved in co-creation projects supported by IFAS. From Lilongwe to Blantyre, the film brings together voices that have contributed to the Institute’s work over the past three decades. Directed by Adam Heyns.
Join us for a special talk by Justice Edwin Cameron and Sohela Surajpal, two of the authors of the new book 'Behind Prison Walls'. Their talk will bring together Michel Foucault's reflections on the systems of discipline and South Africa's experience of incarceration, offering an original analysis: how prisons, far from serving as tools of rehabilitation, become instruments of social control and the perpetuation of inequality.
Launched in 2022 under the France 2030 initiative, the ICC Immersion programme supports French entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) as they expand into global markets. Implemented in South Africa by Institut français in Paris, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), Business France, and Business France South Africa and Southern Africa, the initiative connects French companies with key players in South Africa’s dynamic creative sector. This year’s cohort featured nine innovative CCI companies—Allegria, Atrack (Beam for Music), Agence Culturelle PLUS (Reunion Island), Culturespaces, Fabrik & Moi (Reunion Island), France MusĂ©ums DĂ©veloppement, Jakob + MacFarlane, Memorist, and Sound Birth—representing fields from architecture and immersive technology to museum development, cultural consultancy, and music innovation. Altogether, the South African edition fostered meaningful exchange between French and South African cultural leaders, opening the door to future collaborations across the two countries.  Special thank you to the featured sites: Constitution Hill Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Joburg Contemporary Art Foundation Spier Wine Farm, TRACE Studios Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct Wesgro Wits Digital Dome Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa ----- ICC Immersion is coordinated by the SecrĂ©tariat GĂ©nĂ©ral pour l'Investissement (SGPI) and driven by the Institut Français and Business France, with support from the Banque des territoires, the French Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The 2025 edition is implemented by IFAS and Business France in Johannesburg.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), this documentary film brings together nearly 50 voices who have been part of IFAS’s journey over the past three decades. From its beginnings in Newtown to its current home in Braamfontein, IFAS has helped shape South Africa’s cultural and creative landscape through collaboration, exchange, and long-term partnerships. Director: Adam Heyns Producer: Lali van Zuydam Music: NØ FØRMAT! Records
For 30 years IFAS has nurtured a vibrant space for dialogue, experimentation, and creative growth. It has helped tell untold stories, amplify diverse voices, and build platforms for both emerging and established talents to shine. Now, as we mark 30 years of impact and memory, we look back at three remarkable decades of collaboration, co-creation, and cultural connection. And in the words of the legendary filmmaker Ramadan Suleman, here's to the end of Episode 1—and the beginning of many more episodes in the eclectic, ever-evolving series that is IFAS. Video Production and Editing: Adam Heyns Music: NØ FØRMAT! Records
Ahead of the 2025 Series Mania Forum taking place from 25th-27th March, IFAS invited delegates from around the world to join and gain valuable insights from our Audiovisual team and Forum organisers on what to expect and how to prepare for the three jam-packed days of pitching, networking, and high-level conferences.
Organised by SAGES Africa (Services for Africa Gaming & Esports), the Mzansi Esports Champions is a key part of the Tekken Africa Queens Challenge, an innovative initiative which aims to spotlight and empower women’s talent in esports, promoting inclusivity and equality within the gaming industry. The 2024 players were: – eSwatini: Setsabile Shabangu, Sugar – Kenya: Sylvia Wahome, QueenArrow – Lesotho: Liteboho Thebe, EL – Madagascar: Safidy Andrianisoa, Sentaku – Malawi: Matimbe Gweyneth Edina, Gwyn Stacy – Namibia: Asante-Sana Maruwasa, ATMBYTES – South Africa: Zahraa Khan, Iron-Fist – Zambia: Bwalia Nkumbula, LiaRose The Mzansi Esports Champions event is part of a larger strategy by SAGES Africa to build a strong esports ecosystem across the continent. Through strategic partnerships, SAGES continues to empower African players and enhance their competitiveness on the global stage. This project is a collaboration of the French Institute of South Africa, SAGES and rAge Expo. It is made possible thanks to funding from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. --- Credits: Music: Chipego Producer: Junayd Bradlow Creative Director: Tasmin Jacobs Post-Production: Umar Bradlow Creative Studios: The Magic Pixel & The Ultimate Gaming Champions South Africa
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