International relations
President Jacob Zuma and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa discuss the need to strengthen economic cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe
Strengthening economic trade and cooperation between South Africa and Zimbabwe was high on the agenda when the new Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa visited South Africa recently.
President Mnangagwa paid a courtesy call to South African President Jacob Zuma.
According to The Presidency, the two Heads of
State agreed on the need to strengthen economic cooperation and expand economic and trade relations between the two countries.
This will be a key feature of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) agenda in support of President Mnangagwa’s mission to revive the Zimbabwean economy which has been hit by sanctions and other political and economic challenges.
They also discussed the need to strengthen historical relations between the two countries and neighbours.
President’s Mnangagwa and Zuma share a long history. Both worked together while in exile in Mozambique where they were responsible for intelligence and security services for ZANU-PF and ANC respectively.
Eyeing developments
The Presidents agreed to keep in close contact on an ongoing basis to share their points of view on political issues as well as regional, continental and international issues affecting national interests, as well as issues affecting the continent.
South Africa and Zimbabwe’s diplomatic relations are marked by the annual convening of the BNC
signed in 2015 and co-chaired by the two Heads of State.
To date the two countries have signed more than 40 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and agreements covering a broad range of areas. These include trade and investment, immigration, defence, transport, agriculture, environment, energy, health, labour, water management, taxation, as well as arts and culture.
Zimbabwe is one of South Africa's top five trading partners on the continent.
In 2016, South Africa's exports to Zimbabwe amounted to approximately R29.3 billion.
There are over 120 South African companies doing business in Zimbabwe in various sectors including mining, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail and construction, as well as the fast food sector.
Zimbabweans called home
The Zimbabwean President thanked President Zuma for the warmth and hospitality provided to Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
“He [President Mnangagwa] appealed to the Zimbabweans to return home to put the skills that they have acquired in South Africa to great use in rebuilding the Zimbabwean economy and the development of their motherland,” the Presidency said in a statement.
President Mnangagwa's visit to South Africa was just a day after his national address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate. It was his first since becoming president in November 2017 and during the sitting he voiced his government's commitment to building a democratic, united Zimbabwe.
He was inaugurated as Zimbabwe's President on 24 November 2017, replacing President Mugabe after a 37year stay in power.
President Mnangagwa will serve as interim president until August 2018 when Robert Mugabe's term was set to expire. Thereafter, the people of Zimbabwe are set to elect their next leader.
“My government is committed to entrenching a democratic society driven by respect for the country's constitution, rule of law, mutual tolerance, peace and unity,” President Mnangagwa said.
He reiterated that his government will have zero tolerance for corruption in order to grow the struggling economy.
“Economic growth requires a clean government, a clean private sector.The goal of my government is to build a new Zimbabwe based on values of transparency, accountability and hard work,” he said.
The Zimbabwean president further expressed optimism about next year's growth prospects driven by anticipated strong growth in agriculture and mining.
During President Mnangagwa's South African visit, he and President Zuma reflected on November's developments in Zimbabwe which President Zuma said were handled with maturity.
“We are very grateful for that because in a number of countries if the army decides to stand up, they leave a trail of destruction generally, but in Zimbabwe, they were able to bring it under control,” said President Zuma.
He took a moment to congratulate his counterpart on the successful congress of the Zimbabwean governing party, ZANU-PF, and on his election as President of the organisation.
He said he was assured by President Mnangagwa that former President Robert Mugabe would be looked after, especially in view of his contribution to the liberation of the Southern African region and the decolonisation of the continent.
“My government is committed to entrenching a democratic society driven by respect for the country’s constitution, rule of law, mutual tolerance, peace and unity.”