After Kazakhstan gained its independence on 16 December 1991, South Africa was one of the first to recognize Kazakhstan, thereby emphasizing its genuine interest to establish and develop as an independent entity in the system of international relations. South Africa and Kazakhstan established full diplomatic relations on 5 March 1992.

A milestone event in the development of bilateral relations was the opening of the Embassy of South Africa in the Republic of Kazakhstan in December 2003 in Almaty. In February 2008, it was relocated to the young capital of Kazakhstan, Astana city, coincided with its 10th Anniversary. In December 2016, H.E. Ms. Kiitumetsi Siipelo Tandeka Matthews was appointed the Ambassador of South Africa to Kazakhstan. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in South Africa was opened in December 2013, making it the only diplomatic mission of Kazakhstan in the vast region of Southern Africa at that time.

Thelma Hlongwane hosted virtually, His Excellency Mr Yerkin Akhinzhanov, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of South Africa