Pretoria: South Africa and Zimbabwe have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, with the signing of several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening collaboration in key areas ranging from agriculture and gender equality to correctional services, diplomacy, arts, and culture.
According to South African Government News Agency, the agreements were signed on Friday at the conclusion of the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC), co-chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Pretoria. The signing of the legal instruments formed part of efforts by the two neighbouring countries to translate the longstanding political and historical ties into practical programmes that contribute to economic growth, development, and shared prosperity.
The agreements include an MoU on collaboration between the Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute and the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. The MoU was signed by Minister Ronald Lamola and his counterpart, Minister Professor Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. An agreement on correctional services was also signed, while the two countries concluded an MoU on women's empowerment and gender equality. Further agreements covered cooperation in agriculture, as well as arts, culture, and heritage.
Closing the Fourth Session of the BNC, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the agreements represented concrete plans to deepen cooperation between the two countries. 'The agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed in our presence today, together with the decisions reached, reflect our concrete plans to deepen cooperation. These instruments must now be implemented so that our countries and people benefit,' he said.
The President said South Africa regarded Zimbabwe as a strategic partner and one of its largest trading partners, adding that the two countries had committed to expanding investment and trade. 'For South Africa, Zimbabwe remains a strategic partner. It remains one of our largest trading partners. We have undertaken here to redouble efforts to expand investment and trade,' the President said. He added that inclusive economic growth is critical to improving the lives of citizens by widening access to basic services and creating employment opportunities.
The President identified a wide range of sectors in which he believes there are significant opportunities for closer cooperation and investment. 'We see great opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, energy, mining, transport, medicines and vaccines, water, tourism, finance, and digital technology,' he said. He said the political commitment demonstrated at the BNC should encourage companies in both countries to invest in infrastructure and industrialisation initiatives. The movement of people and goods between the two countries also featured prominently in the discussions, with President Ramaphosa stressing the importance of efficient border management.
President Mnangagwa welcomed the outcomes of the BNC, describing the session as highly productive and one which had set key priorities and the strategic direction for the bilateral relationship. He said the relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe was rooted in shared history, solidarity, and common values, adding that the prosperity of one country is closely linked to that of the other. 'When South Africa thrives, Zimbabwe thrives too, and vice versa,' President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa identified cross-border manufacturing value chains, infrastructure development, agriculture, and mineral beneficiation among the High Impact Priority Projects that should now be implemented. 'We should implement the identified High Impact Priority Projects, which include cross-border manufacturing value chains, infrastructure development projects, and agriculture, as well as mineral beneficiation, among other strategic and transformational economic projects,' he said.
Beyond economic cooperation, the BNC also placed emphasis on preserving the shared liberation history of the two countries. President Mnangagwa called on South Africa to develop land allocated to it at the Museum of African Liberation in Zimbabwe, saying the initiative would help preserve the history of the struggle against apartheid and inspire future generations. 'Your Excellency, Zimbabwe looks forward to South Africa taking steps to develop land allocated to it at the Museum of African Liberation. The Museum provides a unique platform to showcase the country's heroic anti-apartheid struggle, and its significant contribution to the liberation of the African countries,' he said.
Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa said the signing of the agreements was only the beginning, and that the two governments now needed to ensure that commitments were implemented. 'Today, we have adopted important decisions and witnessed the signing of several legal instruments in various fields of cooperation. We must now translate these commitments into tangible outcomes through concrete actions that deliver meaningful benefits for our countries and people,' he said. He called for the full use of the Decision Management System to monitor implementation and identify areas requiring corrective action.
