Zimbabwe may be rolling out the red carpet later this year with South African President Jacob Zuma expected to make his first State visit to this neighbouring country in years.

The State visit is expected to boost trade between the two countries by building on the bilateral agreements signed in 2015, says South Africa’s newly appointed ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mpakama Mbete.

The planned visit follows a decision by the two countries to elevate bilateral ties following President Robert Mugabe’s 2015 State visit to South Africa, his first visit since 1994.

Mbete, a liberation struggle veteran who has worked with the government in various intelligence organs, says his first assignment here is to ensure that agreements signed by the heads of state in the 2015 Bi-National Commission are met.

President Zuma is expected to pay a return visit to Zimbabwe to follow up on the five trade agreements which were signed. “We are working hard to ensure that this happens, we hope this year in fact it is supposed to be an annual summit that they have,” says Mbete.

Mbete’s posting to Zimbabwe comes amidst increasing political and economic tensions in Zimbabwe. The economy is faltering and President Mugabe is facing opposition from within his Zanu-PF party and externally but Mbete believes Zimbabwe remains stable.

“Obviously in any society there will be disagreements and disputes, in our view and in South Africa we believe the more you allow more points of view to be expressed, the better for you,” says Mbete.

The biggest diplomatic hurdle between the two countries is economic. Zimbabwe believes it is being used as a dumping ground for South African goods at the expense of its local manufacturing sector.

Both countries are struggling to overcome faltering economies as a result of low global mineral prices and drought.

“Both countries have political freedom but we still have to consolidate economic independence and economic sovereignty,” says Mbete.

A South African business delegation is expected in the country later this month aimed at increasing trade between the two countries. President Jacob Zuma’s state visit to Zimbabwe is expected to focus on trade relations between the two countries.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK