Their meeting in Harare today follows Washington’s  year-long extension of punitive measures against Mnangagwa and some of his party colleagues for posing a threat to U.S. foreign policy.

The communique at the end of the binational commission between Zimbabwe and South Africa  says the adverse effects of sanctions slapped on Robert Mugabe’s government for stealing elections and violating human rights has been far-reaching across Zimbabwe’s political and socio-economic spectrums.

The presidents agreed on the important of boosting trade and investment to driven the strategic relationship between the  Southern African neighbours. 

They expressed their condolences to the families of those who died in last Sunday’s Ethiopian Airlines crash near Addis Ababa.

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They’ll prepare the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of their presidents. at the second binational commission.

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana Mashabane welcomed her Nambian counterpart Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, saying they’re bent on projects that will help the continent and the region, but most importantly the people of their countries.

“The two sides have to date signed 71 agreements and memoranda of understanding. We must remember that our people have said to us  these are enablers, the real work is when we put hands on deck, “she said

Nandi Ndaitwah listed issues to be discussed to ensure the wellbeing of the people.

“Trade, energy, health, investment, wildlife, information and communication technology, higher education and training, science and technology as well as defence and security.”

She says better bilateral cooperation between South Africa and Namibia will greatly enhance integration of the SADC regional  grouping.

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The agreement signed in Pretoria after today’s talks between Presidents Jacob Zuma and Robert Mugabe  commit the heads of state to meeting annually to review bilateral relations.

It’s interesting that the southern African neighbours have got by all this time with a joint commission.

The binational architecture now in place is the highest form of relations between countries.

Watched by Presidents Jacob Zuma and Robert Mugabe, ministers signed four more bilateral agreements and two memoranda of understanding.

They cover diplomatic consultations, establishing a joint water commission, assistance  in customs administrations  and cooperation on trade and industry.

Zuma and Mugabe concur that economies of the countries on either side of the Limpopo are inextricably linked.

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He travelling north a month later to attend the celebrations in Moscow marking the anniversary of the Allies victory over Nazi Germany 70 years ago.

The sky’s the limit, according to foreign ministers preparing for the impending sixth binational commission between South Africa and Algeria in the capital of that north African country.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra says ties are growing stronger every year. He describes today’s meeting with his South African counterpart Maite Nkoana Mashebane in Pretoria as talks between members of the same team.

Nkoana Mashebane says President Jacob Zuma will attend the World War II commememoration ceremony in Moscow on May 9.

There he’ll rub shoulders, among others with the Chinese and North Korean leaders.

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