President Cyril Ramaphosa's Opening Remarks at SA-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission

On Friday, 21 August 2026, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Pretoria. Established in April 2015, the BNC serves as the central mechanism for managing and advancing the strategic partnership between South Africa and Zimbabwe. To date, more than 33 agreements and memoranda of understanding have been concluded between the two countries across various areas of cooperation. The Fourth Session will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to review progress in implementing existing bilateral commitments and to identify opportunities to further strengthen relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Discussions will focus on deepening bilateral cooperation across key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, infrastructure, economic development and other areas that contribute to shared growth and development. The Session will culminate in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding aimed at further expanding bilateral cooperation in strategic areas. The Heads of State Meeting will be preceded by a Ministerial Meeting, following the Senior Officials Meeting of the Fourth Session of the BNC, which took place yesterday, Tuesday, 18 August 2026. The Ministerial and Senior Officials Meetings serve to prepare matters for consideration by the two Heads of State.