Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Pretoria, South Africa
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa and his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, will today co-chair the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria, with the two countries expected to deepen bilateral cooperation across several strategic areas.
The high-level engagement at the OR Tambo Building within the Department of International Relations and Cooperation complex will begin with a tête-a-tête between the two leaders before they preside over the BNC plenary, where the draft agreed minutes from ministerial sessions will be formally adopted and a joint communiqué considered.
The BNC, which provides the framework for structured bilateral cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa, is expected to translate political commitments into practical programmes in areas of mutual interest.
To date, more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.
The Fourth Session will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and to identify opportunities to further strengthen relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
To date, more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.
Today’s programme will culminate in the signing of the agreed minutes of the Fourth Session alongside a series of Memoranda of Understanding covering cooperation in diplomatic academies, correctional services, women empowerment and gender equality, agriculture, and arts, culture and heritage.
The signing ceremony will be followed by the reading of the joint communiqué and closing remarks by Presidents Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa.
The two leaders will later attend a luncheon hosted by President Ramaphosa before proceeding to the Gallagher Convention Centre for the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum.
The business forum is expected to provide a platform for the private sector from both countries to report on the outcomes of roundtable discussions, with the two Governments seeking to strengthen economic cooperation and expand opportunities for businesses.
