South Africa and Zimbabwe have turned neighbourly goodwill into signed commitments, concluding a package of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding spanning agriculture, gender equality, diplomacy, correctional services, and arts and culture. The instruments were signed on Friday in Pretoria at the close of the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission, co-chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The signings are designed to translate the two countries’ longstanding political and historical ties into practical programmes that drive economic growth, development and shared prosperity on both sides of the Limpopo.
“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,” President Ramaphosa said.
A strategic partnership with real momentum
President Ramaphosa described Zimbabwe as a strategic partner and one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, with both countries committing to redouble efforts to expand investment and trade. He singled out agriculture and agro-processing, energy, mining, transport, medicines and vaccines, water, tourism, finance and digital technology as sectors brimming with opportunity.
Among the agreements is an MoU pairing the Zimbabwe Foreign Service Institute with the Diplomatic Academy of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, signed by Minister Ronald Lamola and his counterpart, Minister Amon Murwira, alongside an MoU on women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Bridges, borders and big projects
Moving people and goods more easily featured prominently. President Ramaphosa stressed the two countries’ commitment to seamless, secure and well-coordinated border movement, while President Mnangagwa highlighted the construction of the Third Limpopo Bridge and the operationalisation of a One Stop Border Post as vital priorities.
President Mnangagwa, who described the session as highly productive, said the two economies rise together. “When South Africa thrives, Zimbabwe thrives too, and vice versa,” he said, pointing to cross-border manufacturing value chains, infrastructure development, agriculture and mineral beneficiation as High Impact Priority Projects ready for implementation. Zimbabwe, he added, is committed to removing tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and improving conditions for South African businesses operating there.
From ink to impact
Both leaders were emphatic that the real measure of the summit will be delivery. Ministers and senior officials will follow up on the priority projects identified, with a Decision Management System used to monitor implementation ahead of the Fifth Session of the commission.
“Our common history and geography are the foundations of our shared future. The realisation of that shared future depends on effective and sustained collaboration,” President Ramaphosa said. “Let us turn our decisions into actions. Let us turn our people’s expectations into reality.”
Beyond economics, the two countries will deepen cultural and people-to-people ties, including South Africa’s participation in the Museum of African Liberation in Zimbabwe, a platform celebrating the continent’s journey to freedom. President Mnangagwa summed up the mood of the summit in one line: “I am confident that the win-win outcomes of this BNC will contribute significantly to our shared developmental agenda.”
Proceedings were reported by SAnews.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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