The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Farawo
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is keen to see Zimbabwe’s economy grow, and has undertaken to help his northern neighbour, The Sunday Mail has gathered.Zimbabwe has been grappling with slow economic activity on the back of sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union following land reforms it embarked on in 2000. Industrial capacity largely remains depleted, with a multi-currency system introduced in 2009 providing relative stability and respite to a hyperinflation-weary population.
Now, President Zuma will be in Zimbabwe this week to follow up on mutually-beneficial trade and economic agreements signed during President Mugabe’s State visit to South Africa in 2015. It is understood that President Zuma has undertaken to use his country’s position as Africa’s second biggest economy and most industrialised nation to help Zimbabwe on to the recovery path.
A senior official at South Africa’s Harare embassy, Mr Linda Maso, told The Sunday Mail, “President Zuma and South Africa at large want to see Zimbabwe’s economy grow. He signed those agreements last year so that the people of Zimbabwe and South Africa benefit.
“The signing of various agreements last year and this year’s visit by President Zuma show his determination to ensure we work closely for the betterment of the lives of our people. His visit to Zimbabwe is also meant to promote sustainable development in the region and the rest of the continent.”
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Ministry told the media in Harare last week, “It is expected that a number of agreements will be signed at the conclusion of the meeting. On October 21, 2016, the Political and Diplomacy Committee of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission met in Harare.
“The committee emphasised the importance of political and diplomatic consultations as a forum to enhance bilateral co-operation and an effective mechanism to track progress on the implementation of decisions taken at the BNC and other consultations.”
In 2015, Presidents Mugabe and Zuma signed agreements covering trade co-operation, security, water management, customs and collaboration in regional, continental and global matters.
The two countries also proposed establishing a one-stop border post. President Zuma will be accompanied by several ministers, with the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum preceding his discussions with President Mugabe.
The forum brings together business representatives from both countries, and will explore opportunities in mining, water, energy, transport, infrastructure development and ICT. Bilateral relations between the two countries were formalised in 1994 when South Africa gained Independence from apartheid rule.
President Mugabe was the first leader to visit the new country.
South Africa’s founding President Nelson Mandela identified trade and commerce as key areas of bilateral co-operation that could unlock major economic benefit. There are at least 35 memoranda of understanding between the two nations, while a Bi-National Commission was established in 2015.
