Media Conference Remarks by President Jacob Zuma at the conclusion of Bilateral Discussions with President Hifikepunye Pohamba of the Republic of Namibia, Cape Town 06 November 2012
Your Excellency, My Dear Brother, President Pohamba,
Honourable Ministers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Members of the Media,
Good day,
I want to start by extending once more a very warm welcome to my Dear Brother, President Pohamba and his delegation. Mr President, we are humbled and we feel greatly honoured by your visit.
Your visit to our shores serves as a further reaffirmation of the historical and fraternal relations which happily exist between South Africa and Namibia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is against this background that we have hosted our Namibian friends.
We have just concluded our bilateral discussions which have been characterised by the usual friendliness and comradeship.
During our discussions, we reviewed progress in our bilateral cooperation and partnership. Our countries enjoy close bilateral cooperation in various fields.
In this regard, we have noted with great appreciation the noticeable progress that has been achieved in strengthening the political, economic and social cooperation between the two countries.
In our discussions, we paid particular focus on key areas such as trade and investment, energy, transport, environment, science and technology, education, tourism and security issues.
We are happy with the growing economic cooperation between our sister Republics.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have noted the increasing number of legal instruments that continue to be concluded between our two countries, essentially to facilitate our ever growing cooperation.
In this regard, you have just witnessed the signing of three more legal instruments.
These are:
- Agreement establishing the Bi-National Commission,
- The MoU on Public Works and Infrastructure Development
- and the MoU on Cooperation in Meteorology.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we appreciate the signing of these agreements and memoranda of understanding, we also agreed to pay particular attention to their implementation.
It will only be through their full implementation that our people will reap fruits from our cooperation.
Ladies and gentlemen,
During our discussions, we also exchanged views on the latest political developments in the region, the continent and the world.
As neighbours and members of both SACU and SADC, we have agreed to consult on an ongoing basis.
I thank you.
Details of the Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding signed:
1. Bi-National Commission Agreement (BNC)
The establishment of a Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two governments was agreed to by the two Heads of State during the 2010 Heads of State Economic Bilateral Meeting held in Windhoek, Namibia. The BNC will be presided over by the Heads of State and will be coordinated by the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation/Foreign Affairs.
The BNC will meet annually, alternating between Pretoria and Windhoek. It will consist of four (4) Commissions, namely, Diplomatic Commission; Economic Commission; Social Commission As well as Defence and Security Commission.
2. Memorandum of Understanding on Public Works and Infrastructure Development
This MoU makes provision for management of government immovable assets registers; executing maintenance of government owned properties; institutional cooperation, which shall include institutional capacity building in areas such as legislation and policy development, civil construction, manufacture of building materials, job inspection, quality assurance and the licensing of civil construction agents; exchange programmes between professional councils and/or boards in skills development of professionals in the building environment (artisans, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, project managers, property managers); labour intensive construction (community-based) projects for job creation purposes; production and supply of construction material and equipment; collaboration on development and sharing of construction, technologies and expertise; encouraging cooperation and partnership between the public and private sectors’ involvement in the construction industry for the purpose of infrastructure development; and sharing knowledge and experience in alternative ways of financing of infrastructure development.
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Meteorology
The South African Weather Services and the Namibian Meteorological Services have developed a MoU on Cooperation in Meteorology to formalize relations and cooperation between the two national meteorological services.
The South African Weather Services (SAWS) has been providing Namibia with technical support and training of Namibian personnel in the field of meteorology.
Enquiries: Mac Maharaj on 079 879 3203.
Issued by: The Presidency
Cape Town
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