Joint Communiqué on the occasion of the State Visit of His Excellency President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Lesetho, 12 -13 August, 2010
At the invitation of His Majesty King Letsie III, the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma, paid a State Visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho from 12 to 13 August, 2010
His Excellency President Jacob Zuma and Mrs. Sizakele Gertrude Zuma, were accompanied by eight Ministers, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly and Senior Government Officials.
During the State Visit, His Excellency President Zuma had an audience with His Majesty King Letsie III at the Royal Palace. Thereafter, he held official talks at the Qhobosheaneng Government Complex, with the Right Honourable The Prime Minister Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili. The President also addressed the Joint Sitting of Parliament and together with the Prime Minister launched a dialogue between Lesotho and South African Business Persons.
The two Leaders acknowledged the long standing cultural, linguistic and family ties as well as geographic proximity, that uniquely bind the two countries together.
Underscoring the need to enhance and strengthen further the existing cooperation in the political, economic, social, good governance and security sectors between the two countries, the Leaders recommitted themselves to a stronger and special relationship as well as to a vibrant Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation (JBCC).
The official talks addressed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest between the two sister countries. In particular, the discussions focused on issues that touch the lives of ordinary people of the two countries, such as: Facilitation of Free Movement of People and Goods along the common borders; Cooperation in the fields of tourism, transport and water sectors; implementation of all the Bilateral Agreements; as well as other issues that form the Agenda of the Joint Bilateral Commission of Cooperation between the two countries.
An Agreement on a Grant from the African Renaissance Fund for the Implementation of the Advance Infrastructure Component of the Metolong Dam and Water Supply Programme, a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation, a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation in the Legal Field and a Declaration of Intent on Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project were signed between the two countries, thereby deepening further the subsisting relations.
The Right Honourable The Prime Minister also registered his gratitude and that of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho, for the unwavering support received from the Government of the Republic of South Africa, during the attacks that were made at the Makoanyane Military Base, the State House and against some residents of the Maseru City, in April, 2009.
On Regional and International issues, South Africa was commended for the pivotal role the country has and continues to play in peace keeping operations, in Africa, in particular for providing troops in the Sudan (Darfur), the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi. His Excellency President Jacob Zuma was also commended for his facilitation efforts in Zimbabwe, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community.
The Right Honourable The Prime Minister assured His Excellency President Zuma of Lesotho’s unwavering support for South Africa’s candidature for the Non-Permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the term 2011/12.
On the evening of Thursday, 12 August, 2010, His Majesty King Letsie III and Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso hosted a State Banquet in honour of His Excellency President Zuma and Mrs. Sizakele Gertrude Zuma.
His Excellency President Zuma toured the Katse Dam and over flew Mohale Dam being the areas covered by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) which constitutes one of the finest examples of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. His Excellency also overflew the site of the Polihali Dam which will form part of Phase II of the LHWP.
The Right Honourable The Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Mosisili congratulated President Zuma, the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa for hosting, in a successful manner, one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world, the 2010 FIFASOCCERWORLD CUP.
His Excellency President Jacob Zuma, expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Letsie III, The Right Honourable The Prime Minister, Mr. Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho, for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation.
His Excellency President Jacob Zuma extended an invitation to His Majesty King Letsie III to visit the Republic of South Africa. His Majesty King Letsie III accepted the invitation, of which the exact dates are to be communicated through normal diplomatic channels.
