Gift Mashoko

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said his country was committed to working with Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the third session of the South Africa- Zimbabwe Bi-national Commission yesterday, President Ramaphosa commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s administration for its efforts to take Zimbabwe out of the current difficulties and make it a viable partner to South Africa.

“South Africa stands ready to render support to Zimbabwe within our means in your quest for economic renewal. We reiterate South Africa’s commitment to work with Zimbabwe in addressing the socio-economic challenges experienced by our two countries. We commend your new administration for all your efforts through your action to take Zimbabwe out of the current difficulties and make it a viable partner to South Africa, to the region and other development partners,” he said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed that his country has embarked on an ambitious investment drive with a target of raising billions of dollars since they had been faced with socio-economic challenges.

 “We have also embarked on an ambitious investment drive with a target of raising $100 billion of new investment into our economy over the next five years. To this end, I appointed four investment envoys who have taken it as their task to go through the length and breadth of our country and indeed the international investment community as well, to mobilise for investment into South Africa.

“As a result of these efforts, South Africa is firmly on the path of growth and renewal. As we work to correct the mistakes of the past decades, we are focused on lifting economic growth and creating jobs for the unemployed in our country,” he said.

President Ramaphosa also highlighted that South Africa was coming from a difficult period, for that reason, they are creating an environment conducive for investment.

“As South Africa, we are also emerging from a difficult period, not only of poor economic performance but also of diminishing Public Trust Research Institutions along investor confidence. We acknowledge the effects of decline of governance, of corruption on what we describe as state capture on our economy, on our institutions and on our people,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, President Emmerson Mnangagwa revealed how Zimbabwe is working hard to rebuild the economy, interacting with all countries and trying to create a conducive environment for investors.

“Our interaction should extend beyond bilateral cooperation to regional, continental and international issues on mutual benefit and interest. In addition, the creation of an environment which welcomes business and investments from both local and international visitors remains high on our agenda.

“Tough decisions are being implemented which are often unpalatable but must be made all the same. Instilling confidence in our economic landscape, we are enforcing fiscal discipline, stabilising the macro-economic fundamentals, aligning our laws to the Constitution and entrenching the rule of law in our system,” said President Mnangagwa.