Presidents Ramaphosa and Mnangagwa co-chair the Fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission, with six new agreements signed to boost bilateral relations
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa convened in Pretoria on Friday for the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), a high-level summit aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation, expanding economic development, and strengthening cross-border trade.
The meeting, held at the OR Tambo Building within the Department of International Relations and Cooperation complex, marked the culmination of a series of engagements that began with two days of discussions among senior government officials before progressing to the ministerial level. The BNC, established in April 2015, serves as the central mechanism for managing and advancing the strategic partnership between the two neighbouring countries.
Leaders Reaffirm Shared Destiny
Addressing the opening session, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s dedication to working closely with South Africa at bilateral, regional, continental, and international levels to advance shared goals and aspirations.
“The bond between us is rooted in our ancestry and cultural ties, as well as shared anti-colonial and anti-apartheid struggles,” President Mnangagwa said. “Beyond the geographic border between us, Zimbabwe and South Africa are one people, with a common past and inextricably linked destinies.”
President Ramaphosa echoed these sentiments, describing the two countries as “one people” whose futures were inseparably linked. “Our spirits are inseparable, our paths have been shaped by shared culture and our future will be shared by aspirations,” he said.
Trade and Economic Cooperation Take Centre Stage
President Ramaphosa noted that Zimbabwe remains one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, with the value of bilateral trade having almost doubled over the past four years. However, he acknowledged that South Africa continues to export significantly more to Zimbabwe than it imports, creating a trade deficit that requires attention.
“We need to work together to narrow this deficit,” President Ramaphosa said, calling for the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to be leveraged to increase trade and investment.
President Mnangagwa emphasised that Zimbabwe was “open for business” and ready to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers on a reciprocal basis to facilitate greater trade and investment. He highlighted the complementary nature of the two economies, noting cooperation across the iron and steel, agriculture, retail, healthcare, and education sectors.
“Together we are stronger; when South Africa thrives, Zimbabwe thrives too and vice versa,” he said.
Six Agreements Signed Across Key Sectors
The two leaders presided over the signing of six instruments of cooperation aimed at deepening bilateral relations and strengthening collaboration across key sectors. The agreements included:
- A Memorandum of Understanding on collaboration between the Zimbabwe Foreign Services Institute and South Africa’s Diplomatic Academy
- An MoU on cooperation in correctional services
- Rules of Procedure governing meetings of the Zimbabwe-South Africa BNC
- An MoU on cooperation in agriculture
- An MoU on cooperation in the fields of arts, culture, and heritage
- An MoU on bilateral cooperation in women’s empowerment and gender equality
These agreements build on more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding already concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation.
Migration and Regional Security on the Agenda
Migration and deportation issues featured prominently in the discussions. Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber confirmed that migration management and the repatriation of undocumented migrants would form part of the engagement, with a temporary processing centre established in Musina to support these efforts.
“This is an issue that relates to both countries, and it is something that we will continue to focus on to make sure we’ve got a lawful, dignified process that plays out in that environment,” Schreiber said.
President Mnangagwa also commended cooperation between Zimbabwe’s power utility Zesa and South Africa’s Eskom in strengthening regional energy security and urged closer collaboration on food security and combating transnational crime.
Business Forum to Unlock Private Sector Opportunities
The leaders were also expected to address the Fourth Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Business Forum at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The forum provides a platform for the private sector from both countries to report on the outcomes of roundtable discussions, with both governments seeking to strengthen economic cooperation and expand opportunities for businesses.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The BNC session underscored the deep and historic relations between the peoples of Zimbabwe and South Africa, with both leaders emphasising the need to translate political commitments into practical programmes that deliver tangible benefits for citizens.
As President Mnangagwa noted, the recent global shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, commodity price volatility, and supply chain disruptions have underscored the need for stronger economic resilience and regional industrial capacity.
“We must harness our historical and cultural ties to promote social cohesion and reduce poverty,” said Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira, framing economic development as the central objective of the bilateral partnership. “It’s not this nation against that nation, it’s our two nations against poverty.
