Joint communiqué issued by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma and His Excellency Mr. Ruphaih Bwezani Banda, The President of the Republic of Zambia at the end of the State Visit to Zambia from 7th to 9th December 2009.
Lusaka
8TH December 2009
1. At the invitation of the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, paid a three-day State Visit to Zambia from 7th to 9th December 2009.
2. President Jacob Zuma was accompanied by the First lady, Mrs. Nompumelelo Ntuli Zuma, eight (8) Ministers, a number of Senior government officials and a delegation of more than sixty (60) Businessmen and women.
3. The two Presidents held official talks during which they reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues. They expressed satisfaction at the warm bilateral relations existing between the two countries and reiterated the need to collaborate in the fight against poverty, under-development and HIV/AIDS.
4. The two Heads of State acknowledged that the long-standing Zambian support for the liberation struggle in South Africa has led to the establishment of deep mutual bonds between the peoples of the two countries.
5. Recognising the existence of similar cultures between the people of the two countries, the two Presidents affirmed the need to enhance people to people cooperation through cultural exchange programmes.
6. In recognition of the need to promote Africa’s international profile, His Excellency Mr. Rupiah Banda commended South Africa for being the first African country to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. In this regard, both Presidents wished the African countries participating in the Tournament, success.
7. The State Visit afforded the Zambian and South African Governments an opportunity to sign two (2) Agreements and four (4) Memoranda of Understanding (MoU’s) aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. In this regard, the following were signed;
• Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Energy;
• Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Mining and Geology ;
• MoU on Regular Diplomatic Consultations;
• MoU on Trade and Industrial Cooperation;
• MoU on Cooperation in the field of Health; and
• MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture and Livestock Farming.
8. The two Heads of State noted that the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) which was signed in 2005 has not been inaugurated. In this regard, the two Heads of State directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs/International Relations and Cooperation to convene an inaugural session of the JPCC in early 2010.
9. During the visit, the South African President H.E Mr. Zuma laid a wreath at the Freedom Statue, delivered the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture hosted by the University of Zambia at Mulungushi International Conference Centre and paid his respects to the fallen South African heroes of the liberation struggle at Leopards Hill cemetery.
10. His Excellency Mr. Zuma also visited Old Chilenje House, in which the first Republican President, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda had lived before Zambia’s independence, in recognition of his role in the liberation struggle.
11. The two Presidents also visited Nakambala Sugar Estate in Mazabuka where President Zuma officially commissioned the Nakambala Estate Expansion Project, the second largest single sugar production plant on the African continent.
12. On regional issues, the two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing political, economic and security situations in the region. In this regard, President Zuma commended His Excellency President Banda for the role Zambia plays as Deputy Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Similarly, President Banda commended His Excellency President Zuma for the role South Africa is playing in her facilitation efforts in Zimbabwe. In this regard, the two Heads of State committed themselves to working together in pursuit of the SADC Agenda.
13. The two Heads of State expressed their commitment to African unity and integration within the framework of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
14. With regard to international matters, the two Presidents reiterated their common view on the need to reform the multilateral institutions including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods Institutions to better represent the interests of developing countries.
15. The two Heads of State welcomed the international efforts that seek to address the global financial crisis which has negatively affected the developing countries in particular.
16. Cognisant of the effects of climate change, the two Heads of State, reiterated the need for the international community to work together at the current United Nations Conference on Climate Change taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a view to establishing a legally binding framework to reduce carbon emissions.
17. At the conclusion of the State Visit, His Excellency President Jacob Zuma expressed his profound gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency President Rupiah Banda, the Government and people of Zambia for the warm hospitality and fraternal reception accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.
18. His Excellency President Zuma extended an invitation to His Excellency President Banda to pay a State Visit to South Africa. His Excellency President Banda accepted the invitation to visit South Africa on a date to be mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
Done at Lusaka on 8th December 2009.”
For more information contact Saul Molobi - Chief Director for Public Diplomacy on 082 9401647.
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, 0001
09 December 2009.
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