13 Feb 2018

Zimbabwe President’s state visit to Botswana has provided fresh impetus for revitalization and consolidation of time-tested relations that exist between Botswana and Zimbabwe, President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama has said.

Officiating on February 12 at the state luncheon in honour of the visiting Zimbabwean President, Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was in Gaborone for a two-day state visit, President Khama said the visit was historic since it was the first during his tenure in the presidency.

He said the absence of official state visits did not auger well for the promotion and sustenance of the spirit of good neighbourliness among friendly states.

President Khama congratulated President Mnangagwa for ascending to the highest office of the presidency.

“You are indeed a representation of the hopes and aspirations of the people of Zimbabwe. This renewed sense of hope was clearly articulated in your message of reconciliation and nation building that you shared with your fellow Zimbabweans during your inauguration and since then,” he said.

President Khama said that he was confident that Mr Mnangagwa would provide an effective visionary leadership to effect the much needed socio-economic transformation that would advance Zimbabwe’s development trajectory.

He said Botswana desired to see a prospering Zimbabwe in peace and unity adding that Botswana was in good stead to support and cooperate with Zimbabwe.

“Botswana remains ready to work with you and the people of Zimbabwe, as you embark on this development journey. My participation in your inauguration ceremony was essentially an expression of my personal desire and that of my government to work closely with you to deepen our bonds of friendship,” he said.

He said his intention to invite President Mnangagwa was aimed at providing the necessary platform for the two countries to explore further avenues for strengthening mutually beneficial relations.

He said bringing along some ministers to Botswana during the state visit provided meaningful engagement with their counterpart in Botswana to devise ways and means of fostering and broadening the scope of bilateral cooperation.

He further said the decision to establish a Bi-National Commission to be convened by Heads of State and Government was a step in the right direction to enhance bilateral cooperation which cut across almost all sectors of development.

Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa personally thanked President Khama for attending his inauguration on November 24, 2017, adding that his presence was humbling and a warm gesture of support from the President and Batswana.

He said the friendship between Batswana and Zimbabweans continued to be a glue and central pillar of the two states.

He commended Batswana for having hearts of gold for the role they played together with other Frontline States, in the struggle for independence and the freedom of the Southern African region as a whole.

“We salute the principled and steadfast position against colonization and apartheid that Botswana took under the astute leadership of the founding president Sir Seretse Khama,” he said.

Mr Mnangagwa further expressed delight that Botswana played a pivotal role in the integration and unity of the Southern African region under the leadership of the late second president Sir Ketumile Masire that resulted in the formation of the then Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which he said transformed into a vibrant SADC that it is today.

He also thanked Botswana for the support rendered to Zimbabwe during the economic meltdown when Zimbabwe experienced ‘illegal’ economic sanctions.

“We are aware that Botswana government and Batswana accommodated a notable number of Zimbabweans who migrated into your country in search for better economic opportunities. Botswana was a good neighbour during our moments of need and for this we remain eternally grateful,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said the new chapter of friendship between the two countries was the start of great prospects and possibilities in the future.

President Mangagwa returned home on February 13. Ends