South Africa is one of the priority countries of The Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pretoria together with the Consulate General in Cape Town, supports cultural co-operation between the two countries.  A program for cultural development is conducted, contributing to an enabling environment for culture in South Africa and implements a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2004 in the field of common cultural heritage. In this way the Netherlands is playing an active and growing role in improving the cultural infrastructure and networks in South Africa. In particular also with the aim to alleviate poverty by creating jobs and strengthening nation-building by giving special attention to national heritage and as well as to the position of women and youth.