31 Jul 2022

President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and his South African counterpart, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa will Thursday officially launch a celebration to mark 28 years of Botswana/South Africa diplomatic relations.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in June 1994 and currently cooperate in various sectors including trade and industry, agriculture, defence and security, education; energy, environment, health, science and technology.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs media release, the celebrations, to be held in Gaborone, will run from August 3-6 and will include a number of activities.

“These will include a business forum and roundtable that will be co-hosted by the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre and the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

The forum and roundtable will among others, deliberate on trade and investment opportunities between the two countries,” says the release.

Ministry of Trade and Industry permanent secretary, Ms Malebogo Morakaladi said the main objective was to provide a forum for business executives from the two countries to engage in meaningful dialogue with high-level government officials led by the two presidents.

“The high level business forum and roundtable will address trade and investment barriers as well as explore modalities to leverage trade and investment opportunities that abound between the two countries,” she said.

Botswana’s economy is heavily tied to that of South Africa through their Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU) membership as well as the high level of bilateral trade between them.

Additionally, Botswana benefits from regional economic integration and the facilitation of duty-free movement of goods with a common external tariff on goods entering any of the countries from outside SACU. 

Such benefits and positive bilateral economic relations make engagements vital for both nations.  

The release says also planned is a cultural show to celebrate the two countries cultural heritage and diversity. Yet another event will be a visit to the Lobatse Keitsing Monument to be undertaken under the theme: Honouring the Contribution of Botswana to the Liberation Struggle of South Africa. ENDS