The Sunday Mail
OUTGOING Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Balbina Daes Pienaar completed her tour of duty to Harare last week, after serving in the country for seven years. The Sunday Mail’s reporter Wallace Ruzvidzo caught up with Ambassador Pienaar to reflect on her tenure.
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Q: How do you describe your term as Namibia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe?
A: Simply a mission accomplished!
Q: What were the highpoints?
A: There are numerous milestones the two countries have reached during the past seven years, of which the following five stand out: The decision taken by President Mnangagwa and President Hage Gottfried Geingob to elevate the Joint Permanent Commission of Co-operation (JPCC) to the level of a Bi-National Commission (BNC), of which the inaugural Session will be hosted by Zimbabwe in 2021; completion and commissioning of the Zimbabwe Dry Port in Walvis Bay on a piece of land donated to Zimbabwe by Namibia; conclusion of three JPCCs during my tour of duty to Zimbabwe, of which the Ninth Session of JPCC and the 5th Session of Zimbabwe-Namibia Political and Diplomatic Consultations were hosted by Namibia last year, 2019; two Twinning Agreements signed and implemented between the two countries, namely: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Mashonaland West Province (Zimbabwe) and Kavango East Region (Namibia) in 2017; and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Matabeleland North province (Zimbabwe) and Omaheke Region (Namibia) 2019.
There is also the Seed Co hybrid maize trial project successfully launched at Mashare, Uuvhungu Vhungu development centres in the Kavango East Region in Namibia. The project has yielded produce already as we witnessed this year’s harvest and donation of a piece of land by Kavango East Region to Mashonaland West for agriculture-related training programmes to benefit Namibian farmers.
Zimbabwe-Namibia Orchard launched during the Silver Jubilee 25th Independence Anniversary celebrations of Namibia in 2015 as a donation to Mashambanzou Care Trust in Waterfalls has matured.
The orchard serves a great purpose to boost food nutrition and security benefiting citizens for years to come.
This bilateral project of a social development nature stands tall as a concrete, tangible proof of the lasting friendship between Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Wallace, I invite you to make a visit at the orchard with your team.
Notwithstanding harsh weather conditions, the citrus, bananas, oranges, avocados, mangoes, the moringa and snot apple (African Bubble gum) are all there, some bearing fruit already.
Now it is even expanded with vegetables and an aquaculture.
Therefore, in a nutshell, my highest points are truly high and tangible at all levels.
Our bilateral relations and co-operation at business, social, cultural, touristic and people-to-people levels between Zimbabwe and Namibia were deepened; further consolidated to much higher levels than before.
As people we are much closer than before.
We are one people. I am departing with absolute delight as I reached the end of my tour of duty in my second home on a high note.
Q: Are there any areas where you feel you could have done better?
A: Of course we could have done better to improve our current trade volumes. It just doesn’t match our well-cemented political and social relations.
But let me hasten to say that there cannot be a BNC without a fertile ground for thriving economies. Economic diplomacy will undoubtedly be core to the next phase of our bilateral relations, of which trade is core.
Q: What has been your major takeaway since the elevation of the two countries’ JPCC?
A: Of course we don’t expect overnight miracles. It is a process founded on a collectively crafted legal framework to further guide our bilateral engagements.
I can share that the process is about to be concluded through diplomatic channels. The BNC is to be chaired by the two Presidents.
That alone demonstrates importance attached to further strengthening of relations between Zimbabwe and Namibia.
All sectors are involved, given close to 40 MoUs and agreements signed since the inception of the JPCC between the two countries in fields such as agriculture; mining; trade; education; sports and culture; legal; gender; women affairs and community development; SME development; tourism and hospitality, just to mention a few.
Preparations for a bilateral mid-term review in 2021 has been put in motion.
My main takeaway is the continued and visible brotherhood, commitment plus vigour to further deepen and consolidate our fraternal relations, with focus on expanding our economies in the best interest of the peoples of our two sister nations. For both Zimbabwe and Namibia, economic emancipation is core as we march onwards the second phases of our struggles in order for all to prosper.
Q: You have emphasised the role played by women in the fight for Africa’s independence and called on the governments of the two sister Republics to continue prioritising women’s empowerment. How far have your efforts gone?
A: Indeed, women made significant contributions towards a free Africa at many battle fronts, in numerous contexts. I salute them all, both the living legends and the departed heroines.
A lot has been achieved in terms of narrowing gender gaps in line with international, regional treaties/protocols and national policy frameworks.
You look around in both Zimbabwe and Namibia and you will see women featuring at key decision-making structures, business and societal levels in both countries.
Strategic positions at highest policy levels are occupied by women in both countries, which was non-existent prior to Independence.
Regrettably, gender discrimination will and still exists until such time we can talk about 50/50 gender parity at all levels of governance in our communities and in our family lives.
This has been a deliberate policy position in Namibia as a brainchild of the ruling SWAPO party.
Q: Is Zimbabwe on the right path to achieving Vision 2030?
A: Absolutely! For Zimbabwe, Vision 2030 is in sight. I have so much confidence in the country’s leadership under President ED Mnangagwa, that Zimbabwe is on the brink of reclaiming her place, not only as the bread-basket of the region but as an emerging leader in Africa’s economic emancipation. The country is on the right path for sure.
The fiscal/macro-economic landscapes are showing positive signs of stabilising. Infrastructural expansions, which are core to any development, are at their heights.
And Zimbabwe is surrounded by genuine friends such as Namibia who stand in solidarity with the Government and people of this great country, and shall continue to render support in countering vicious forces such as the illegal sanctions.
Namibia shall continue to call for the immediate, unconditional removal of these inhumane embargoes affecting mostly the ordinary citizens.
Zimbabwe should remain resilient, robust, focused and united in fighting all ills aimed at jeopardising the country’s fortunes. I encourage all Zimbabweans to believe in President Mnangagwa’s dream to achieve an upper middle-income economy by 2030. It is achievable!
Q: Zimbabwe is landlocked but Namibia has a port. How should Zimbabwe maximise on that?
A: In my view, Zimbabwe is not landlocked anymore. The country is “ocean-linked”, connected to the majestic Atlantic Ocean at the West coast of Namibia.
Through the Zimbabwe Dry Port co-commissioned last year by President Mnangagwa and Presdient Geingob, trade relations between and within SADC will certainly be advanced and further strengthened in a regional context.
Imports and exports through the Dry Port have commenced, though slowed down by Covid-19.
The Namibian Port in Walvis Bay is strategically located to facilitate goods and services, linking SADC with Europe and the Americas.
With closer and well-consolidated ties I managed to establish between the two countries over my seven-year tenure as Namibian Ambassador, I am confident that Zimbabwe will derive huge benefits from the Dry Port in the context of regional integration and industrialisation in line with Agenda 2063.
Q: There is a general perception in Zimbabwe that the port has been largely used to import second-hand vehicles. Are there any other products destined for Zimbabwe?
A: Ports are not exclusive to facilitating specific goods and services. A lot is already happening in terms of imports and exports through the Port of Walvis Bay under NAMPORT (the Namibian Ports Authority). Think of logistics, manufacturing, construction industry, machinery/ equipment, bulk consumables, pharmaceuticals, etcetera.
This is an area BNC will certainly direct. In my view, we should stop importing second-hand vehicles, machinery and appliances and start to manufacture our own African brands and export to the West or Asia.
We ought to think adding value to our mining and agricultural yields in bulk for exporting purposes.
Q: In conclusion, what does the future hold for Zimbabwe-Namibia relations?
A: Our relations date back to our respective struggles for freedom. The same vigour, determination we fought the colonial regimes will form a firm basis to fight for our economic freedoms.
The relations are solid, unshakable and fraternal.
We are one! Zimbabwe and Namibia are one people.
Watch us at any international or regional fora. We continue and shall continue to speak with one voice on issues of common concern, mutual interest and against acts undermining our sovereignty and territorial integrity.
