Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma will this morning host Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, who is on a two-day state visit.
The Zimbabwean President will hold private talks with President Jacob Zuma to bolster trade relations after the traditional welcoming ceremony at the Union Buildings.
President Mugabe arrived in the country on Tuesday evening accompanied by his wife Grace. This is his first state visit since 1994.
The objective of the visit, the Presidency said, is to consult on issues of mutual interest and further strengthen the historical, cultural and fraternal bonds that exist between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The two Presidents will also pay particular attention to bilateral and economic cooperation, including regional and continental matters.
The visit will also see the signing of five agreements including the Bi-National Commission (BNC) Agreement, whose objective is to elevate relations between the two countries.
This BNC is the highest level of cooperation that will coordinate bilateral relations.
Speaking to the media after welcoming President Mugabe at Waterkloof Air Force Base last night, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane labelled the visit as historic, especially with the signing of BNC Agreement.
The visit, the Minister said, is also important because it will put emphasis on the implementation of the 35 already signed agreements.
“This visit will coordinate our economic development projects… We are now entering the consolidation level of our relations,” she said.
The Minister said it was important to address the blockages in the trade and economic relations.
Historically, Zimbabwe has always been among South Africa's top three trading partners on the continent. South Africa is one of the top investors in the Zimbabwean economy.
South Africa is Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner with exports at R24.8 billion, while Zimbabwe's exports to South Africa reached R2 billion.
There is a large presence of South African companies in Zimbabwe such as Nedbank, Standard Bank, Old Mutual, Impala Platinum and Tongaat-Hullet among others.
Reflecting on regional matters
With President Mugabe the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU), South Africa will use the visit to reflect on developments in the region well as peace and security issues.
The two leaders will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern, including establishing an environment of peace and stability in order to achieve regional integration, industrialisation and economic development as well as the wellbeing of the SADC region.
The two leaders are expected to brief the media after their official talks.
In the afternoon, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on President Mugabe.
In the evening, he will be treated to a state banquet at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse.
On Thursday, a South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum, which will highlight trade and investment opportunities between the two countries, will be held at the Sheraton Hotel.
The forum will look at opportunities for deeper economic cooperation in the fields of mining, water, energy, infrastructure development, transport and ICT among others. – SAnews.gov.za
