South African President Jacob Zuma is currently meeting with his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba with the intention to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Yesterday Zuma, who is accompanied by a high level ministerial delegation, has arrived in Windhoek, Namibia where the inauguration of the Bi-national Commission will be witnessed. Namibia exports 66% of its goods and services to South Africa while in return South Africa boasts 80% of investments in key sectors of Namibia’s economy comprising mining, retail, banking and insurance.
In a statement, spokesman of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Clayson Monyela, said the South African delegation would be in Namibia until today. “The highlight of the State Visit will be the inauguration of the Bi-national Commission between the two countries, which will serve as an important mechanism for the strengthening and enhancement of cooperation between South Africa and Namibia. “Namibia is one of the eight leading tourists markets for South Africa in the SADC region, with more than two-hundred thousand tourists visiting each year. The highest proportion of SADC tourists to South Africa on Business in 2012 came from Namibia (25, 9%),” Monyela said.
Zuma is being accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Energy, Mr Benedict Martins; Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies; Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom; Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa; and Minister of Defence, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.