Beitbridge – Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, and South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, met on Saturday at the Beitbridge Border Post to discuss ways of strengthening ties between the two neighbours.
The high-level meeting took place at the One Stop Border Post, a project under the Southern African Development Community (SADC), where the two ministers toured the facility as part of their discussions on regional integration.
Prof. Murwira said infrastructure such as Beitbridge was central to trade and integration within SADC. He noted that South Africa remains Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, with both countries supporting each other across various sectors of life.
The Zimbabwean minister also congratulated Pretoria for its leadership during the G20 Presidency, praising its role in amplifying the voice of the Global South. He thanked South Africa for backing Harare’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2027–2028.
Minister Lamola pledged South Africa’s continued support and described the Beitbridge project as an important tool for easing the movement of goods and people. He said political relations should be reflected in the economy, adding that reforms at the border will improve the ease of doing business between the two countries.
Beyond trade, the meeting also touched on agriculture, with Lamola commending Zimbabwe’s progress in research, innovation and modernization in the sector. He recalled President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent attendance as Guest of Honour at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, saying it demonstrated Pretoria’s commitment to cooperation in that field.
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