Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in the country last night ahead of her meeting with SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa at State House this morning.
She is in Zimbabwe on an official working visit.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah was welcomed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura and Skills Audit and Development Minister Professor Paul Mavima, among other Government officials.
Part of the Namibian leader’s official working trip included stops in Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique, marking her first international official trips since assuming office in March.
According to the Namibian Presidency, prior to her arrival in Harare President Nandi-Ndaitwah held bilateral talks with Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo, stressing the need for stronger economic ties to uplift livelihoods.
In Botswana, discussions between the Namibian leader and President Duma Boko centred around collaborative efforts in diamond beneficiation, a potential regional oil refinery and enhancing trade through Walvis Bay.
They also agreed to work on upgrading the Trans-Kalahari rail, beef exports and the certification of medical products.
In Zambia, talks with President Hakainde Hichilema focused on expanding infrastructure at border posts, promoting 24-hour border operations and accelerating the development of the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Corridor.
The leaders emphasised the importance of private sector collaboration and joint ventures in agriculture and value chains.
In Angola, the discussions highlighted energy cooperation, livestock trade and reaffirming relationships rooted in liberation history and shared development goals.
After her tour of duty in Mozambique, President Nandi-Naitwah then left for Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe and Namibia share strong historical ties, dating back to the liberation struggles of both nations.
President Mnangagwa has continued to stress the importance of cordial relations between Harare and Windhoek, as well as with the rest of the region and world under the engagement and re-engagement drive.
“We need to continue supporting each other as the region; this is what it ought to be.
“It is the only way our region will grow if we share our perspectives as respective countries and move forward.
“Unity is key among our members,” said the SADC Chairman during President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inauguration.
On her part, President Nandi-Ndaitwah is already on record describing Harare and Windhoek as “one”.
“Zimbabwe and Namibia are one. Agriculture will be one of our key economic pillars,” she said in an interview a day before her inauguration.
The Namibian leader has previously expressed her country’s interest in tapping into Zimbabwe’s agricultural expertise.
“We will take a leaf from Zimbabwe. We have exchange programmes with Zimbabwean farmers,” she said.
