SA, Zimbabwe solidify bilateral ties

by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) — NEIGHBOURING South Africa and Zimbabwe have committed to deepening bilateral cooperation with the signing of a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in Pretoria.

These were signed at the end of the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC), co-chaired by Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Emmerson Mnangagwa in Pretoria.

The MoUs cover key areas including agriculture, arts and culture, diplomacy, gender equality and correctional services.

Ramaphosa said the agreements and MoUs reflected concrete plans to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

“These instruments must now be implemented so that our countries and people benefit,” he said.

Ramaphosa hailed Zimbabwe as a strategic partner that remained one of South Africa’s trading partners.

“We have undertaken here to redouble efforts to expand investment and trade,” he said.

Mnangagwa said the two Southern African countries had solid historical relations and, “When South Africa thrives, Zimbabwe thrives too, and vice versa.”

He said the two countries had committed to boosting trade.

“We agreed to reduce over-reliance on distant markets as a way to build resilience from external shocks,” Mnangagwa said.

South Africa hosts thousands of Zimbabweans who have left their country following economic problems, largely blamed on economic sanctions imposed by some Western nations.

– CAJ News