Pretoria - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has this evening arrived on South African soil ahead of his two-day State Visit.
President Mugabe - wearing a smart grey suit - was accompanied by his wife, Grace Mugabe, when he touched down at Waterkloof Air Force Base just after 5pm and disembarked one of Air Zimbabwe’s 767-200Rs.
The two were welcomed by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane , Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele and officials from the Zimbabwean Embassy, among others.
There was kissing of cheeks, smiling and shaking of hands as President Mugabe and his wife were led through a guard of honour to their car.
Leading a high-powered business delegation, President Mugabe will spend the next two days discussing issues around strengthening economic relations with President Jacob Zuma.
The two Heads of State will also consult on issues of mutual interest and further strengthen the historical, cultural and fraternal bonds that exist between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
An official welcoming ceremony will be held on Wednesday morning at the Union Buildings. Thereafter, official talks with President Zuma and photo opportunities are lined up.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on President Mugabe, before the Statesman attends a state banquet in Pretoria.
On Thursday, a South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum will be held to highlight trade and investment opportunities.
President Mugabe has travelled to South Africa most recently in his capacity as Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson to discuss the political situation in Lesotho. However, this is his first official State Visit since 1994.
Speaking to media at Waterkloof Air Force Base, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane labelled the visit as historic, as it will see the signing of five agreements. Among them is a Bi-National Commission (BNC) agreement which aims to elevate bilateral relations between the two countries.
“This BNC is the highest level of cooperation. It is a mechanism which coordinates our bilateral relations at the highest level. It is mechanism which the two leaders will co-chair annually.”
The visit, according to Minister Nkoana-Mashabane, will put emphasis on the implementation of the 35 agreements which have already been signed.
“This visit will coordinate our economic development projects … we are now entering the consolidation level of our relations,” she said, adding that it was important to address the blockages in trade and economic relations.
As President Mugabe is the current Chair of the SADC and AU, South Africa will be taking advantage of the visit to reflect on developments in the region and on the continent, such as peace and security and the successful elections which have been held in six countries.
Asked if the two Presidents will discuss the funding for the SADC summit on industrialisation set to take place later this month in Zimbabwe, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said the Presidents were not limited during their talks.
“Heads of State are free to reflect on anything during their one-on-one meetings.”
This as there has been speculations that President Mugabe might seek some financial reprieve for the summit. – SAnews.gov.za
