Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s close relationship with Zimbabwe, saying the two neighbouring countries must strengthen economic cooperation and work towards more balanced trade.
Ramaphosa was speaking as he welcomed Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the Fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission inn Pretoria on Friday.
The South African president said Zimbabwe’s support during the country’s liberation struggle would never be forgotten, highlighting the shared history and cultural ties between the two nations.
“Your Excellency, we are one people. Our spirits are inseparable,” Ramaphosa said.
He said South Africa would always remember the support Zimbabwe provided during the struggle against colonialism, white minority rule and apartheid.
SA-ZIM RELATIONS | President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will never forget Zimbabwe’s support during the liberation struggle and has called for stronger cooperation to ensure more balanced trade between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/gg2LqH6zMn
— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 21, 2026
“As South Africa, we will forever remember that the people of Zimbabwe gave us shelter, protection, support in the darkest times of our struggle,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the relationship between the two countries had since developed into a partnership based on cooperation and collaboration.
While describing Zimbabwe as one of South Africa’s largest trading partners, Ramaphosa raised concerns about the imbalance in bilateral trade.
He said the value of trade between the two countries had almost doubled over the past four years, but South Africa continued to export significantly more to Zimbabwe than it imported.
“However, there is a significant imbalance in trade between our two countries. South African exports are much more than Zimbabwean imports,” Ramaphosa said.
He called for both countries to use existing agreements, including the memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation, to narrow the trade deficit.
Ramaphosa also highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an opportunity to expand trade and improve the balance of goods exchanged between the two countries.
“We must use the opportunities presented by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area to increase the volume and balance the composition of trade between our two countries,” he said.
He said South Africa and Zimbabwe should also work towards expanding the production and export of goods manufactured from their mineral resources.
The Bi-National Commission provides a platform for the two governments to discuss bilateral cooperation and strengthen relations across areas including trade, investment and economic development.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
