President Zuma in Botswana to co-chair BNC

Friday, November 17, 2017

President Jacob Zuma is in Botswana where he will participate in and co-chair the 4th Session of the South Africa-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) today.

President Zuma, who arrived in Botswana on Thursday evening, is scheduled to co-chair the BNC with his counterpart President Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

“During the BNC, both countries are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on Tourism,” said the Presidency in a statement.

South Africa and its landlocked neighbour enjoy cordial relations, which are informed by cultural ties and geographical proximity. The two countries also cooperate on a wide range of areas including transport, trade and investment, health, education, environmental issues, water, science and technology, agriculture, justice, immigration, energy, finance, culture, security and sports.

The two countries meet annually at the level of the Heads of State within the framework of the BNC to review bilateral cooperation and discuss issues of common interest. 

South Africa remains one of Botswana’s major trading partners. At present, a number of South African companies are currently operating in Botswana in various sectors.

The SA-Botswana BNC was preceded by a ministerial session held on Thursday to consider and adopt the draft Agreed Minutes and Joint Communique negotiated by Senior Officials on 14 - 15 November 2017, as well as the agenda and programme for the Heads of State session.

Meanwhile, the ministerial meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has recommended that SADC members hold an urgent extra-ordinary summit to discuss the unfolding political and security situation in Zimbabwe.

The announcement was made by South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who chaired the ministerial meeting on Thursday in Gaborone. – SAnews.gov.za