SA, Zimbabwe prioritise third Limpopo bridge

South Africa and Zimbabwe have identified the construction of the Third Limpopo Bridge and the operationalisation of the Beitbridge One Stop Border Post as key projects in efforts to turn their bilateral partnership into tangible economic benefits.

South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said the projects were among the key outcomes of the Fourth Session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC), whose Ministerial Segment concluded in Pretoria on Thursday.

"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," Lamola said.

He said the strategic position of South Africa and Zimbabwe within Southern Africa's trade and logistics network made closer cooperation essential, particularly given their links through the North-South Corridor and the Beitbridge Border Post.

"Our partnership must now translate ambition into implementation," Lamola said.

He said greater cooperation in transport infrastructure, border management, energy connectivity and the movement of goods and people would strengthen regional integration and support industrialisation across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The two countries also agreed on the need to expand manufacturing capacity, promote beneficiation of mineral resources, modernise agriculture and strengthen food security.

Lamola said the partnership should also create greater opportunities for small businesses, women and young people to participate in economic development.

Several agreements are expected to be signed when the two countries' leaders meet on Friday, providing a formal legal framework for cooperation in various sectors.

"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," he said.

The BNC also welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Training, which Lamola said would strengthen cooperation between the two countries' diplomatic academies and help prepare a new generation of African diplomats.

Trade and investment featured prominently during the talks, with the two governments calling on relevant departments to intensify engagement and establish clear pathways for accelerated economic cooperation.

Lamola acknowledged that further consultations and technical work would be required before some of the identified priority projects could be implemented.

Migration was also discussed, with the minister saying the two countries had engaged frankly on the issue in the spirit of mutual respect, shared responsibility and compliance with 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," he said.

Lamola said the success of the BNC would ultimately be measured by whether decisions taken at the talks were implemented and improved the lives of ordinary citizens.

"Our Heads of State rightly expect outcomes that are credible, implementable and capable of improving the daily lives of our citizens," he said.

To strengthen accountability, South Africa and Zimbabwe have agreed to introduce an electronic monitoring system to track the implementation of decisions reached during the BNC.

"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," Lamola said.

The minister said the BNC had reaffirmed the strategic importance of the South Africa-Zimbabwe relationship and renewed both countries' commitment to promoting prosperity, stability and sustainable development.

He said the countries' shared history, geographical proximity and common regional interests placed a responsibility on both governments to build a partnership capable of delivering tangible economic results for current and future generations.

The Fourth Session of the BNC will culminate in a meeting between Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday, when several agreements are expected to be signed.