Online Reporter
Debra Matabvu, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday met an eight-member delegation from the Kingdom of Eswatini and had discussions centred on bilateral cooperation, investment opportunities and the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the two countries.
Writing on microblogging platform X after the meeting, President Mnangagwa said discussions focused on strengthening economic cooperation and improving the livelihoods of citizens in both countries.
He said the engagements underscored Zimbabwe and Eswatini’s shared commitment to regional integration and sustainable development.
“This afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting Prince Lindani Dlamini of the Kingdom of Eswatini and his delegation at State House, where we reinforced the robust historical, fraternal, and cultural ties that unite Zimbabwe and Eswatini,” President Mnangagwa said.
“Our discussions focused on enhancing bilateral trade, identifying new investment prospects, and promoting industrial partnerships to stimulate economic growth.
“We underscored our mutual commitment to regional integration, peace, and sustainable economic development within the Southern African Development Community region.
“Our strategic priorities encompass strengthening cooperation to improve the lives of our citizens, unlocking new economic opportunities for youth empowerment and industrial innovation and advancing together towards a more integrated and prosperous continent.”
In an interview after the meeting, Prince Lindani Dlamini, son of King Mswati III and head of the delegation, said they had conveyed congratulations from Eswatini following Zimbabwe’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2027-2028 term.
“We came here first to congratulate His Excellency on the milestone of Zimbabwe and what they have achieved thus far, being nominated and elected to represent the continent in the UN Security Council seat 2027-2028,” he said.
“His Majesty (King Mswati III) congratulates his dear brother on that and he knows that the President is very capable.”
Prince Lindani said discussions also covered a range of economic issues, including trade, agriculture and broader cooperation between the two countries.
He commended President Mnangagwa for the infrastructure and economic development taking place across Zimbabwe.
“We also discussed agriculture, foreign relations, how we can trade as well, what we can do to increase participation between Eswatini and Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We also acknowledged and thanked His Excellency and commended him for the development which we are seeing here in Zimbabwe. It is unmatched.
“This is what we want for Africa. And seeing such development here in Zimbabwe, every time we come here, we see new things coming up, the road network systems, new ones, the lifestyles of Zimbabweans, the way in which this country is being run.
“It is very well and we are here to learn about all of that.”
Zimbabwe and Eswatini continue to enjoy cordial relations, underpinned by cooperation in trade, investment and regional affairs.
The visit by the Eswatini delegation follows President Mnangagwa’s trip to the Kingdom in April this year, where he attended celebrations marking King Mswati III’s 58th birthday and 40 years on the throne.
During the visit, President Mnangagwa also attended Eswatini’s 57th Independence celebrations.
In 2023, King Mswati III travelled to Zimbabwe, where he officially opened the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), having participated in the Transform Africa Summit in Victoria Falls a few days earlier.
