Khama in SA to strengthen relations

Johannesburg - South Africa and Botswana need to work together and ensure successful implementation of decisions taken in the past, President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.

Welcoming Botswana's president Ian Khama at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Zuma highlighted the importance of ensuring the regular review of all bilateral agreements.

Zuma said both countries had worked hard to deal with various challenges of economic growth and development.

"We have normalised diplomatic relations after 1994," he said, naming amongst other achievements the establishment of a joint permanent commission for co-operation in 1993 and the signing of 19 bilateral agreements.

Other achievements registered were in the field of good governance, food security, water, education and health, he said.

"We are pleased with the growth and friendship, solidarity with neighbour leaders and mutually beneficial co-operation between our two countries."

Zuma said this had established a firm base. Special emphasis should be placed in enhancing trade and assisting each other in expanding business opportunities. This would lead to tourism and investment promotion.

Botswana was one of the homes for many freedom fighters who fled the brutality of the apartheid regime, Zuma recalled.

Both leaders were currently in a meeting and later in the afternoon will make their way to Freedom park where Khama is to lay a wreath with a silent guard of honour.