Luanda - South African President Jacob Zuma wrapped up his visit to
Angola on Friday with a clutch of new deals that analysts said
would lay the groundwork for closer ties between two key regional
players.
Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos hailed the two-day
visit as a "new era in bilateral relations", while Zuma said the
new trade partnerships would "change the economic landscape of
southern Africa".
The deals covered everything from sports to industry, notably a
partnership between Angolan state oil company Sonangol and South
Africa's parastatal Petro SA for refining oil.
The two leaders also discussed the electricity supply from the
Inga hydroelectric plant in neighbouring Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
But Zuma did not leave with everything he had hoped for and
proposals for easing visa requirements and establishing a bilateral
commission were left unsigned.
Business leaders and analysts however hailed the visit as a
major step toward reviving relations that had cooled under former
president Thabo Mbeki, as the two nations feuded over how to handle
the crisis in Zimbabwe and the conflict in Congo.
The tensions left South African companies out of lucrative
reconstruction jobs following the end of Angola's civil war in
2002, while China, Brazil and Western countries vie for a slice of
the rapidly growing economy powered by oil and mining.
Hoping to catch up, Zuma brought along more than 100 business
leaders - the largest business delegation on a presidential trip
since the end of apartheid.
"There's a lot of energy, a lot of interest, a lot of commitment
here at the moment, things are on the boil," said Jose Severino,
president of the Association of Angolan Industry.
"Angola has many, many natural resources and then we see on the
South African side, there are potentials, like know-how, capital
and management, and from this we can create excellent partnerships
to further enhance the growth of our country."
Roland Henwood, a foreign affairs expert at the University of
Pretoria, said Zuma's visit was just the first step in reviving
ties.
"What we have seen is an attempt to cement ties and get South
Africa involved in what is one of the most important countries in
southern Africa," he said.
"He (Zuma) laid the foundation at least for further talks" on
their differences, Henwood added.
On Friday, Zuma also made an emotional pilgrimage to a former
anti-apartheid guerrilla camp in Angola where he laid a wreath and
paid tribute to fallen comrades.
Angola's ruling Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
was a key ally of Zuma's African National Congress during the
struggle against white minority rule with many ANC members
sheltered and trained in Angola.
Zuma was set to return to South Africa later in the day.
- Sapa