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Media Statement on President Mbeki's
Arrival in Mozambique
President Thabo Mbeki accompanied by the Mrs Zanele
Mbeki, today, Thursday, 2nd May 2002 arrived in Mozambique
on a two day State Visit.
The President is accompanied by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the Minister of
Trade and Industry, Alec Erwin, the Minister of Agriculture
and Land Affairs, Thoko Didiza and the Minister of Minerals
and Energy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
In addition, the delegation consists of Rev Chikane,
Director-General in the Presidency; Director-General
of Trade and Industry, Dr Alistair Ruiters; Director-General
in the Department of Communications, Andile Ngcaba;
and Titus Mafolo, political advisor to the President.
Issues to be raised include the status of bilateral
relations between the two countries; development relating
to SADC; the transformation of the OAU to the AU; regional,
global and multilateral matters of interest and concern;
the World Summit on Sustainable Development; and NEPAD.
South Africa and Mozambique share a common history
with Mozambique's own liberation struggle against Portuguese
colonialism and the country's active support of the
liberation struggle against the South African apartheid
regime. Since 1994, both countries have entered into
new democratic constitutional dispensations and have
played leading roles, with President Chissano as chair
of the Conflict Resolution Organ of SADC, in regional
initiatives aimed at securing peace and stability in
the region and beyond.
South Africa and Mozambique have, especially since
1994, enjoyed close bilateral relations. These bilateral
relations are characterised by a high - intensity of
co-operation in various spheres, underpinned by, inter
alia, regular visits on official, Ministerial, Presidential
and Parliamentary level, i.e. various Portfolio Committees.
Presidents Mandela and Chissano on 20 July 1994, during
the first State Visit of South Africa's democracy, entered
into the RSA/Mozambique Joint Permanent Commission for
Co-operation (JPCC), which established the legal framework
for South Africa's bilateral relations with Mozambique.
Utilising the JPCC as an enabling mechanism, more than
20 Agreements covering various spheres of co-operation,
inter alia, Fisheries; the Maputo Harbour; Agricultural
development; Natural Gas Trade; Demining; the Maputo
Development Corridor; a Joint Water Commission, Promotion
and Reciprocal Protection of Investments and Customs
Administration, have been entered into.
The establishment during 1997 of the quarterly Heads
of State Economic Bilateral meetings between Presidents
Mbeki and Chissano, supported by the relevant Ministers,
have ensured the successful implementation of a number
of macro-economic projects in Mozambique in support
of the expansion of Mozambique's economy. Examples of
these multi-billion Rand projects include, inter alia,
the Maputo Development Corridor, the Mozal 1 Aluminium
Smelter in Maputo and the Sasol Gas pipeline development.
Further, South Africa, by the end of 2001, implemented
economic projects and sourced investments to the amount
of R 9 billion, with a potential for an additional investment
of R 9 billion.
During 2001, South Africa surpassed Portugal as the
major investor in the Mozambican economy and enjoys
a massive trade balance in its favour in respect of
Mozambique. Figures for 2001 reflect that South African
exports to Mozambique amounted to R5 389 956 billion,
whilst imports amounted to R283 874 billion. Mozambique
is also currently South Africa's major trading partner
in Africa.
In addition, the South African National Defence Force,
during the 1994 and December 1999 General Elections
in Mozambique rendered crucial logistical assistance
in support of the election processes.
The well-documented life-saving assistance rendered
by South Africa, through the deployment of a SANDF Task
Team in Mozambique during the devastating1999/2000/2001
seasonal floods in Mozambique, served to further strengthen
the close ties between the two countries.
In addition, the South African and Mozambican Governments
have been central to both bilateral and multilateral
mediation initiatives aimed at resolving regional conflicts
and crisis such as those in Lesotho, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique is on record as being one of the strongest
proponents of the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's
Development) and has proved herself as one of the most
reliable supporters of the South African Government's
policy positions in regional, continental and international
multilateral fora.
Mozambique has a High Commission in Pretoria, with
Consulates in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Durban,
as well as an application for the opening of a Consulate
in Pietersburg.
The prolonged civil war in Mozambique from the 1970's
until the 1990's has left the Government of Mozambique
with a devastated economic infrastructure and economy.
Since 1994, the Government of South Africa, supported
by the private sector, has identified various areas
of possible bilateral co-operation which could promote
regional economic integration processes, whilst simultaneously
assisting Mozambique with its reconstruction and development
programme.
Mozambique, given its strategic geo-political location
in relation to South Africa, realised the mutual benefits
which could accrue from close co-operation with South
Africa in the field of the implementation of macro-economic
projects.
In tandem with the electoral support provided by the
South African Government in an effort to cement the
democratic gains made in that country, the launch of
the Maputo Development Corridor during 1996 with a number
of macro flagship projects indicated South Africa's
commitment to assisting Mozambique in rehabilitating
its economic infrastructure. Since 1996 the Maputo Corridor
Development Project has raised more than R 35 billion
and created approximately 15 000 jobs.
More than 250 South African companies are currently
operating in Mozambique representing a diverse spectrum
of small, medium and large business concerns.
Since 1996, the following macro-economic projects with
South African involvement/funding have been implemented,
or are in the process of implementation:
- Mozal 1 Aluminium Smelter Plant
- N4 Toll-road between Witbank and Maputo
- The Ressano Garcia railway line to South Africa
- The Motraco tri-government (RSA/Mozambique/Swaziland)
electricity utility company (supplying electricity
to the Mozal 1 Aluminium Smelter Plant)
- The Maputo Iron and Steel Plant (MISP)
- The Beluluane Industrial Park
- The Natural Gas project
- Greater Limpopo Transfrontier (Peace) Park
- Mozal Aluminium Smelter (Phase 2)
- Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative
- Chibuto Titanium Mine (Corridor Sands)
- Zambezi Development Corridor
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
2 May 2002
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