Zimbabwe open for business, Mugabe tells SA

President Robert Mugabe assured South African investors that they would not have their assets seized by his government in a nationalisation drive.

"I wish to assure all of you that Zimbabwe is open for business. Zimbabwe is a genuine and sincere partner to all those who are similarly disposed," he told a South Africa-Zimbabwe Business Forum in Pretoria.

"We look forward to partnering with you in our economic development agenda. I am not suggesting that you come for employment, come for better things as employers yourself."

He urged the delegates at the Pretoria summit to invest in Zimbabwe "as doers of business together with us".

"Come well equipped. You can come in mining, we do joint ventures. We do mining as well, so it can be 50/50 we are partners. We can form companies 50/50," said Mugabe.

In a speech for more than an hour, Mugabe said his invitation was not only limited to men.

"In years of drought, like this year, ladies use their hands while their husbands use their mouths," said Mugabe.

Zimbabwe is one of South Africa's key trading partners. Numerous South African companies including Standard Bank, Impala Platinum, Old Mutual and Tongaat Hulett have businesses in Zimbabwe.