South Africa ready to help Zimbabwe get out of election mode

SOUTH Africa is prepared to help Zimbabwe get out of election mode and start moving forward economically through enhancing trade and investment partnerships between industries of the two countries, South African Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe has said.

Addressing local captains of industry and their South African counterparts at a local hotel in Gweru on Wednesday, Ms Thabethe, who was leading the South African business delegation, lamented the existence of a 'trade gap' between the two countries. The meeting was meant to promote and explore equal trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Ms Thabethe said there was need for Governments of the two countries to work on balancing trade between them which was skewed in favour of South Africa in terms of exports.

"We bring greetings from President Zuma. We also greet President Mugabe and wish him all the best after the elections. We say in your language makorokoto, congratulations. As South Africans, we are excited to be here and explore investment opportunities that exist between our country and Zimbabwe. We hope as captains of industry you will be able to help us as Governments to increase trade and investment opportunities in our two countries. As Governments, our duty is not to create jobs but create conducive environment for you to conduct your businesses in. We hope that your interactions and networking will bear fruits," she said.

Ms Thabethe said Africa could only develop if her nationals worked together in attaining their goals and dreams.

She said the trade balancing should take precedence before industries of the two countries could start engaging each other on possible partnership and advising one another on investment opportunities existing in their respective nations.

The South African business delegation included South African iconic jazz musician, Ray Chikappa Phiri.

Ms Thabethe said captains of industry should incorporate music in their businesses as it was a crucial sector of the economy and culture.

"I want to appeal to business and industry to partner musicians in their operations. We should showcase musicians as business people, they don't sing for charity, they are in business. For those who are into the hospitality industry, if you build or open a new hotel or restaurant, engage musicians. Music or art industry is one of those sectors that unite people across nations. We can increase our trade using this sector. If we all believe we are all Africans we should support one another in everything we do. Look at Ray Phiri, he is no longer a South African icon but an African icon. The same with Oliver Mtukudzi, he is well liked back in South Africa and his music is well received. He is no longer Zimbabwean but an African icon as well," she said.

She challenged Zimbabwean captains of industry to reciprocate the South African business visit by visiting their neighbours next time.

Mrs Thabethe said Africa had numerous minerals that could help her develop if the resources were properly managed.

She said Africans should aspire to be rich through value adding their own resources and working in partnership with fellow Africans.

"As Governments, our wish is to see regional trade integration happening. Why should we continue relying on tripartite contracts, things that don't work at all? Such things drive us into poverty. We should beneficiate our minerals ourselves for us to develop," she said.

The South African Deputy Minister said Zimbabwe could retain its powerful economic status of yesteryear through regional trade integration.

"Zimbabwe went through an agrarian revolution and I know it has what it takes to feed the whole of Africa. It can return to the days when it was the breadbasket of the region and stop importing grain from other nations. As Africa, we cannot be poor forever and we cannot go back to our colonisers. Let us work together as Africans," she said.

Ms Thabethe said infrastructure development was key to the development and growth of African economies.

She said without good infrastructure, industry could not develop.

"President Zuma was tasked to champion the development of infrastructure in African Union member states. As South Africa, our hosting of the 2010 World Cup was a blessing and a plus. We managed to speedily develop our infrastructure that includes roads, hotels and airports. Our tourists more than doubled that year. If you don't have infrastructure you can't have good industries. I am glad your country is working on rehabilitating your road infrastructure through a South African company, Group Five. This is quite commendable," said Ms Thabethe.

The Midlands Chapter Zimbabwe Chamber of Commerce president, Mr Michael Phiri, told the South African delegation that Zimbabwe was ready to move out of election mode and drive its economy forward.

He said the Midlands was home to many sleeping giants like New Zim Steel formerly Ziscosteel, ZimAlloys and the National Railways of Zimbabwe's Dabuka Marshalling Yard.

"If all these key industries are resuscitated, they will help in the revival of many downstream industries. We are also home to big companies like Unki Mine, Mimosa Mining Company and Sable Chemical Industries.

There are lots of opportunities in the Midlands when one looks at its companies profiles," he said.

The South African team which started its tour in Harare on Tuesday was heading to Bulawayo for a similar meeting.