15 Apr 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi visited South Africa, where he met with his counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa on April 13. 

The two held talks on regional, continental and global issues of mutual concern.

“I have come to pay a courtesy call and deep respect to President Ramaphosa and to re-affirm the strong bonds between South Africa and Botswana,” President Masisi said on Friday April 13, in Pretoria.

President Masisi assured  his government’s  support for the SADC chairperson, Ramaphosa.

“We stand tall and proud behind the leadership of SADC and aim to take the relationship to higher levels,” he said.

Commenting on the visit, Ramaphosa said it was about renewing old bonds and friendships and consolidating relations between the two countries.

President Ramaphosa said they discussed issues such as generating greater integration in the SADC region and where there were challenges the two countries should find ways of addressing those challenges. 

“It is a great honour to receive President Masisi. We plan to take our countries to higher levels through greater economic integration in the region, reducing unemployment and poverty. With new leadership in the region, this is an exciting era,” Mr Ramaphosa stated.

In the same region, President Masisi went to Orlando, Soweto to pay his last respects to the family of the late struggle icon, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was buried in Johannesburg on Saturday April14.

“We have also come to pay our respects to South Africa on the very sad loss of Mama Winnie,” Masisi said.

The stalwart died on Easter Monday after a long illness.

The first lady, Neo Masisi, Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Mr Vincent Seretse, Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia, Member of Parliament for Nkange, Mr Edwin Batshu and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi, accompanied President Masisi.

President Masisi has already paid a working visit to Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola.

He will be leaving for Mozambique today (April 16), where he will meet with his counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi. ENDS