News / National
Mugabe off to SA on state visit
07 Apr 2015 at 16:07hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe has left Harare for South Africa on a 3-day state visit, the first in a period of over 20 years.
Sources say the objective of the visit is to consult on issues of mutual interest, paying particular attention to bilateral and economic cooperation as well as regional and continental matters.
The visit will further strengthen the historical, cultural and fraternal bonds between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
A number of agreements are also expected to be concluded including the bi-national commission agreement to elevate the bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Mugabe last went on a state visit to South Africa during the leadership of President Nelson Mandela when he addressed the South African parliament.
Zimbabwe and South Africa enjoy good bilateral relations whose bonds can be traced from the times of the struggles for independence in the southern African region when liberation cadres shared the trenches in neighbouring frontline states who provided rear bases.
In the post independence era, South Africa and Zimbabwe have continued enjoying close relations with South Africa maintaining her position as Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner.
In recent years, more and more Zimbabweans continue to trek down south in search of greener pastures following the closure of most factories in the country due to capital flight and low investment which has characterised Zimbabwe's economy in recent years.
On the political scene, South Africa has played a very important role in mediating talks between the opposition MDC and the ruling party Zanu PF from the time of the emergence of the MDC on the political stage, through the inclusive government period up to the time of the harmonised elections when a conclusive result was attained.
Zimbabwe and South Africa share common interests in the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and other south-south cooperation groupings and the United Nations.
President Mugabe was accompanied by the Minister of Defence Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Minister of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi and Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa among other government ministers.
Sources say the objective of the visit is to consult on issues of mutual interest, paying particular attention to bilateral and economic cooperation as well as regional and continental matters.
The visit will further strengthen the historical, cultural and fraternal bonds between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
A number of agreements are also expected to be concluded including the bi-national commission agreement to elevate the bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Mugabe last went on a state visit to South Africa during the leadership of President Nelson Mandela when he addressed the South African parliament.
In the post independence era, South Africa and Zimbabwe have continued enjoying close relations with South Africa maintaining her position as Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner.
In recent years, more and more Zimbabweans continue to trek down south in search of greener pastures following the closure of most factories in the country due to capital flight and low investment which has characterised Zimbabwe's economy in recent years.
On the political scene, South Africa has played a very important role in mediating talks between the opposition MDC and the ruling party Zanu PF from the time of the emergence of the MDC on the political stage, through the inclusive government period up to the time of the harmonised elections when a conclusive result was attained.
Zimbabwe and South Africa share common interests in the Southern African Development Community, the African Union and other south-south cooperation groupings and the United Nations.
President Mugabe was accompanied by the Minister of Defence Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, Minister of Home Affairs Kembo Mohadi and Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa among other government ministers.
Source - zbc
