Diplomatic relations began when Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visited South Africa in 1994 for the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela.

[citation needed] In recent years, there have been some challenges in the South African-UAE relationship.

In 2022, two wanted fugitives, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, were arrested in the UAE on an Interpol red notice issued by South Africa to face fraud and money-laundering charges.

[4][5][6] The Guptas were controversially released by the UAE on a technicality[7][8] with both government blaming each other for the failed extradition.

[12][13] During the same trip Al Nahyan had also landed at Bhisho Airport following a R20 million upgrade to it paid for by the UAE.