Joint Zim-SA project talks

Ministers and top government officials from SA and Zimbabwe spent yesterday in preliminary discussions preceding the official visit to Pretoria by President Robert Mugabe, pictured.

“We meet to assess progress in the implementation of bilateral projects since our last BNC [bi-national commission] in Harare in November 2016,” said International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane yesterday in an address to the ministerial session.

“The senior officials have met for the past two days in preparation of our meeting. We trust they have utilised this platform optimally to explore new areas of mutual opportunity.”

Today, President Jacob Zuma will host Mugabe in Pretoria and they will co-chair the BNC session.

Nkoana-Mashabane said the people of SA consider Zimbabwe “a great friend and neighbour”.

“This bi-national commission provides us, once more, the opportunity to renew and strengthen the historic bonds between our countries, solidified during the liberation struggle.

“Today, the struggle we wage is not for liberation, but against the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment,” she said.

“SA is determined to continue to expand efforts towards ensuring socioeconomic development, joint prosperity and the mutual benefit of our people and in this regard, our partnership can contribute to this noble goal if we work together.”

Since the signing of the BNC agreement in 2015, officials from the two countries have consistently held bilateral meetings as stipulated. A “successful” midterm review last month assessed progress since 2016 and prepared for the current BNC meeting.

“This second session of the BNC will allow our principals, His Excellencies President Zuma and President Mugabe, an opportunity to discuss important issues of mutual interest and to further deepen relations between our two countries,” said Nkoana-Mashabane.

Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the two governments should wrap up issues that have long been on their agenda, particularly the establishment of a one-stop Beitbridge-Musina border post between the two nations. “Our two countries stand to benefit immensely from the smooth movement of people and goods through the Beitbridge-Musina border post,” he said. – ANA