- Formal diplomatic relations were established between South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, when Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visited South Africa in 1994 for the inauguration of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
- The first UAE Ambassador arrived in South Africa on 12 November 1995; South Africa is represented in the UAE by an Embassy as well as a Consulate.
- The Embassy was opened in Abu Dhabi on 17 January 1995, while the Consulate was opened in Dubai in August 1999.
- Relationships between the two countries are characterized by several high-level visits; both former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki visited the UAE as well as the current president of South Africa Jacob Zuma.
