Following the establishment of relations with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the RSA recognized the independence and sovereignty of both Croatia and Slovenia later on the same day on 2 April 1992. An agreement with Croatia establishing full diplomatic relations was concluded on 9 November 1992.

The Republic of Croatia is a sovereign state at the crossroads of Central Europe, Southeast Europe, and the Mediterranean that declared its independence from SFR Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. Croatia is a member of the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Union for the Mediterranean as well as a number of many other international organizations. As of 2015, Croatia has established diplomatic relations with 174 countries.

Thelma Hlongwane spoke to Ambassador HE Mr A Cicvaric, the Ambassador of Croatia to South Africa. Amongst the issues of discussion were, the diplomatic relations between Croatia and SA, as well as development and political cooperation between the two countries, and they also took a look at his diplomatic career.