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Austrian Ambassador on South Africa's chances and challenges

South Africa is bracing itself for the biggest event the country has ever hosted as the FIFA World Cup prepares to kick off in less than 100 days.

The Austrian Times spoke to Otto Ditz, Austrian Ambassador in Pretoria, about the country�s current challenges, what he learnt from the African mentality � and why he sometimes feels "second class".

Ditz took on the job in September 2008 after acting as Austrian Ambassador to Canada for four years.

Speaking about on what grounds he made his decision to move to the �Dark Continent�, he said: "I thought South Africa must be a beautiful and interesting country, and so I applied for the position. I hoped it would be a challenge.

"I enjoyed working in Canada. It has a wonderful, wide countryside. And I think the vastness of its nature has also shaped people�s mentality. My four grown-up children still live there, and I might move there again after retiring.

"South Africa will be my final diplomatic engagement, and the perfect solution for me would be to commute between Austria and Canada. But it has to be seen whether this works out."

Asked what he missed about Austria living abroad for many years, the 62-year-old said: "I miss Vienna, the city�s caf�s and its atmosphere � just to walk around the city centre is wonderful. I come to Austria maybe once a year though, and you almost get everything typically Austrian here in South Africa.

"There�s an Austrian butcher and a German bakery just around the corner of the embassy, and we often order ham and bacon plates and other things."

Speaking about his main tasks and responsibilities as Austrian Ambassador in South Africa, Ditz said: "The spectrum ranges from helping holidaymakers who lost their passport or were robbed to intensifying relationships between Austrian and South African companies.

"South Africa is number four in Austrian exports to non-European countries. Export value dropped last year due to the economic crisis, but business-making between the two countries remains a very important aspect.

"I�m constantly trying to help Austrian firms settling in South Africa or making investments here. Another key role of the embassy is supporting the cultural activities of the country�s Austrian community.

Ditz said Austria�s reputation was dominated by what the approximately 20,000 Austrians were doing in the country.

"Austrians living in South America have become the country�s backbone.

"South Africa had a very active immigration policy in the 1950s, and was one of the top five countries Austrians emigrated to after the war.

"South Africa sought skilled workers, and the Austrian know-how in the steel and the textile industry was in great demand.

"Austrians making business in South Africa have played an important role in the country�s economic growth."

Ditz is also outspoken about the country�s problems.

"I think South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and Cape Town is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. But there are still problems getting over the differences among people.

"The country has a very violent history, and probably no one would have thought that the change from apartheid to the current system would occur with that rather small amount of friction.

"But the gap between rich and poor is still immense. There is prosperity on European standards alongside incredible poverty.

"The country faces incredible challenges. The high rate of youth unemployment is a big problem. Even if the economy grows by six per cent this would not ensure everyone a job � and it grows by just two per cent at the moment.

"Young people are in a difficult situation if they know there is no good job in sight for them. I think the state�s whole education and apprenticeship system needs to be reformed."

Another big upcoming challenge will the Football World Cup set to take place in the country this summer.

Ditz, who grew up in the small Lower Austrian town of Kirchberg am Wechsel, said he was looking forward to the event. But the Rapid Vienna supporter also warned it had to be seen whether potential difficulties regarding the event could be solved.

The International press has claimed thriving street crime and cold temperatures could cause a massive flop.

Asked what his point of view regarding reports of allegedly weak demand for tickets and travel packages was, Ditz said: "Coming to the country for the World Cup is an overall expensive delight. Travelling to South Africa is not cheap generally, and companies will surely increase their prices for the tournament.

"As far as the weather is concerned, I have to say the South African winter is normally very nice during the day, while it can be quite cool at night. Most tourists normally come to the country during the European winter."

Referring to fears about crime he said: "I would advise people to simply stick to the rules as one should do in every other big city in the world. And I think authorities here will do their best with regard to the World Cup."

One might think all doors are open for diplomats on all levels, and problems getting hold of tickets for top matches at the World Cup are a piece of cake for an Ambassador.

But Ditz revealed: "It will be hard to get tickets for the games I really want to see. I have to say I don�t want to sit in the cold during games I�m not really interested in.

"I�m not sure whether I�ll have a chance to see Brazil or England play since the representatives of participating countries have certain advantages.

"I�m very annoyed about that, to be honest, since I�m a big football fan. You could say I feel kind of �second class� at the moment since Austria failed to qualify. It�s the same among diplomats as it is in the pub."

Asked whether there was any chance for a Schumacher-like comeback on a diplomatic level by him, Ditz said: "No, this can be ruled out. But I�m fine with that. I had many interesting experiences, and I think it�s a good thing younger colleagues will now get their chance.

"The only thing I regret is that I never worked in Asia. I think that would have been very interesting.

"I think it fits nicely that my career ends at the same time as Europe�s international standing is undergoing change. It will be interesting to see how this will work out and what kind of changes will eventually be made."

Ditz said he had to accept over the years diplomatic skills sometimes fail to work on certain levels. Asked whether he ever found out that these skills were of no help trying to solve trivial family-internal issues, he said: "Oh, I often had this thought!

"But what I learnt living and working in Africa is to be patient and keep on talking. The African people are very patient and generous and they normally don�t get upset about small things."

Austrian Times

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