Pakistan and South Africa enjoy warm and friendly relations since establishment of full diplomatic relations in L994. Pakistan had been at the forefront of the international efforts to dismantle the apartheid system. The efforts were much appreciated by the leadership of South Africa including former President Nelson Mandela. Pakistan was among the first countries that President Nelson Mandela visited after his release from 27 -year long prison.

President Mandela visited Pakistan twice (October 1992 and May 1999) and was awarded Nishan-e-Pakistan and Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam. He also addressed the joint sitting of the parliament during his second visit. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto visited South Africa at the inauguration of the Presidency of Nelson Mandela in L994. President Mamnoon Hussain visited South Africa to attend President Nelson Mandela's funeral in December 2013. Recently, Foreign Ministers from both countries met on the sidelines of World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2023.

Joint Commission IJCJ between Pakistan and South Africa was established in November 2021 after an MOU on establishment of JC was signed. The fourth and last fC meeting was held in Pretoria in 2014 and the Fifth JC meeting is expected to take place in the coming months.

Annual bilateral trade turnover between the two countries is around USD 2 billion. The 3rd Pakistan Africa Trade Conference and Single Country exhibition was held from 29 November - 01 December 2022 as a part of Pakistan's "Engage Africa Initiative".

Defence cooperation has been the pivot of Pakistan's bilateral relations with South Africa. There are frequent high-level interactions among the military authorities of both sides.
Approximate strength of Pakistani community in South Africa is around 200,000, most of whom are employed in the small businesses.