Zim-Bots relations continue to firm

Zim-Bots relations continue to firm

Hosia Mviringi

President of the Republic of Botswana Dr Mogkweetsi Masisi will undertake a three day State Visit to Zimbabwe starting today.
According to a statement released by the Botswana Foreign Affairs Ministry, the visit is aimed to explore ways of broadening and consolidating the already existing cordial relations between the two sister republics.
“Botswana and Zimbabwe enjoy excellent relations characterised by good neighbourliness and mutual respect. They share a common history, culture, and family ties which pre-date the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two in 1983,” said the statement.
The leaders, President Masisi and President Mnangagwa are expected to discuss matters of mutual interest.
In his itinerary, President Masisi is expected to grace Zimbabwe’s premier annual Agricultural Show as the guest of honour on September 2, 2022.
He will officially open the Agro-Industrial focused symposium on the same day.
Zimbabwe and Botswana entered into an agreement establishing a Bi-National Commission (BNC) back in 2018 whose mandate is to explore and promote cooperation in a number of key areas that include but not limited to education, Agriculture, Defence and Security, energy, environment and health.
Botswana is endowed with vast natural wildlife and a thriving animal husbandry sub-sector which houses a vibrant animal vaccine manufacturing industry which Zimbabwe can tap into for expertise, while Zimbabwe has an advanced educational, health and security sectors from which Botswana can derive extensive benefit through training and skills transfer.
The two countries can explore ways to diversify trade portfolio for the greater benefit of the two peoples.
The two countries have an integrated tourism sector which has seen the two countries working together in the famous Kazungula Transfronier Wildlife park where wild animals roam freely across the borders between Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
The visit by the Botswana leader is a reciprocal courtesy call following President Mnangagwa’s successful visit to the Republic of Botswana in 2018.
To show the seriousness of the state visit and its status as a purely business visit, President Masisi will be accompanied by his wife, Mrs Neo Jane Masisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Honourable Dr. Lemogang Kwape, Minister of Agriculture Honourable Mr Fidelis McDonald Molao and other senior government officials.
The delegation is set to put ink to paper on a number of Memoranda of Understanding that will see the operationalisation of the BNC.
Dr Masisi will wind down his visit on September, 3, 2022 before which a state banquet in his honour will be hosted by his host President Emmerson Mnangagwa.