Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Zimpapers Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and South Africa are strengthening cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with renewed focus on partnerships that support industrialisation and economic growth.
South Africa’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, yesterday paid a courtesy call on his Zimbabwean counterpart, Dr Frederick Shava, to deliberate on a strategic roadmap for collaboration.
The meeting, held at Dr Shava’s offices, focused on reviving bilateral cooperation and aligning the two nations’ scientific and industrialisation agendas.
Speaking after the meeting, Prof Nzimande, who chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC) education and science portfolio, stressed the need for a unified regional approach.
“We have decided to focus on priority areas that we need to look at together,” said Prof Nzimande.
“We even named some of the specific areas: indigenous knowledge systems, innovation generated between our two countries, and institutional cooperation between science and academic institutions.”
He noted that, as South Africa chairs SADC, it is important to work closely with Zimbabwe to ensure the region’s interests are protected and advanced through a shared agenda.
Dr Shava said the engagement was aimed at consolidating the strengths of both countries.
“It is a matter of comparing systems and consolidating the ones that give us the most advantage,” he said.
“We want to resuscitate areas of cooperation between South Africa and ourselves, and between South African investors and our investors.”
He added that the two nations share a long-standing relationship rooted in history, culture and geography. “Our nations stood together in solidarity during the liberation struggles, and this shared history continues to define the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect that exist between our peoples today.
“These ties go beyond diplomacy; they are people-centred, driven by shared aspirations for economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development within the SADC region and the African continent at large.
“It is, therefore, both timely and important that we continue to strengthen these relations, particularly in strategic sectors such as science, technology and innovation, which are critical enablers of modern economies.”
The two ministers agreed that technical officials from both countries should urgently convene to strengthen a joint Programme of Action.
A follow-up meeting is expected before the end of the year, where officials will table formal proposals to advance the cooperation into its next phase of implementation.
