My Dear Brother, Honourable Professor Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe,
Honourable Ministers from our two Republics,
Co-Chairs of the Senior Officials,
Ambassador Lovemore Mazemo and Chargé d’Affaires July Gininda,
Senior Officials from our respective Governments,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have now reached the end of the Ministerial Meeting of the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission.

I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the positive spirit that has characterised our deliberations.

This Session has reaffirmed the strategic importance of our partnership and renewed our shared commitment to advancing prosperity, stability, and sustainable development for the benefit of our peoples.

Honourable Ministers,

We have received and reviewed a comprehensive report – the Agreed Minutes from our Senior Officials, who over the past few days robustly assessed the state of bilateral relations between our two countries. These draft Agreed Minutes contain decisions and recommendations aimed at strengthening our bilateral cooperation. Indeed, the outcome of our deliberations demonstrates the depth and maturity of our bilateral relationship.

Several agreements will be signed during our Leaders’ meeting. These agreements are important because they provide a legal framework for our cooperation in various areas. They will strengthen institutional collaboration, expand trade and investment, promote industrialisation, and deepen regional value chains. We also note the additional agreements currently under negotiation and encourage our officials to expedite their conclusion so we can realise the full potential of our partnership.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Our partnership must now translate ambition into implementation.

As neighbouring economies connected by the North–South Corridor and the Beitbridge Border Post, South Africa and Zimbabwe occupy a strategic position within Southern Africa’s trade and logistics architecture.

Our cooperation in modernising transport infrastructure, improving border efficiency, expanding energy connectivity, and facilitating the movement of goods and people will strengthen regional integration and support industrialisation across the SADC region.

We must also work together to grow manufacturing capacity, promote beneficiation of our mineral resources, modernise agriculture, strengthen food security, and create opportunities for small enterprises, women, and young people to participate meaningfully in our economies.

Let me briefly reflect on some key outcomes from the work of our four Committees.

On political and diplomatic cooperation, our discussions reaffirmed our shared commitment to Pan-African solidarity and coordinated engagement in regional, continental and global institutions. We also welcome the signing of the MoU on Diplomatic Training, which will deepen cooperation between our diplomatic academies. Through this cooperation, we can train a new generation of young diplomats equipped to advance the African Agenda.

The Social Committee has advanced cooperation in education, arts and culture, women’s empowerment, youth development and higher education, recognising that regional integration is ultimately about improving the lives of our people.

More importantly, we should accelerate efforts to foster regional social cohesion and stronger people-to-people relations.

On defence and security, our cooperation remains equally important. The Committee has underscored the need for collaboration to address transnational crime, safeguard our borders and promote peace and stability. These are the foundations upon which sustainable development rests. I hope that, in the future, the Committee will also reflect on how we can further strengthen the regional peace and security architecture.

On the economic front, our discussions on trade and investment were particularly robust. We appreciate the positive and constructive spirit in which they were conducted. Our relevant departments must now intensify their engagements and create clear pathways for accelerated cooperation.

We are encouraged by the decision to identify High-Impact Priority Projects, including the construction of the Third Limpopo Bridge, the operationalisation of the Beitbridge One Stop Border Post, a fertiliser manufacturing plant, regional automotive component manufacturing, platinum group and precious metals value-addition plans as well as industrial parks or Special Economic Zones.

We acknowledge that further work and consultation will be required to take these projects forward.

Co-Chair,

We have also engaged frankly on the complex question of migration. Our discussions were guided by mutual respect, shared responsibility and adherence to international and regional obligations. We reaffirm our commitment to managing migration in a lawful, humane and coordinated manner, while unequivocally rejecting xenophobia, vigilantism and all forms of violence directed against foreign nationals.

Honourable Ministers,

The true measure of this Session will be the impact of the decisions we have taken. Our Heads of State rightly expect outcomes that are credible, implementable and capable of improving the daily lives of our citizens.

It is therefore incumbent upon all of us to ensure rigorous implementation, effective monitoring and sustained coordination between our respective institutions. I am pleased that we have agreed to deploy an electronic monitoring system to track the implementation of the decisions that we have taken.

In closing, let us reaffirm that the enduring friendship between South Africa and Zimbabwe remains one of the strongest pillars of regional cooperation in Southern Africa.

Our shared history, shared geography and common aspirations place upon us a responsibility to build a partnership that delivers tangible economic results for present and future generations.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to all Honourable Ministers and Senior Officials for their efforts in contributing to the success of this session. I am confident that this Fourth Session of our BNC has laid a strong foundation for the next chapter of bilateral cooperation.

I look forward to a successful meeting of our Leaders tomorrow.

I thank you.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Rietondale
Pretoria
0084