
On Thursday, South Africa and Lesotho agreed to work together to strengthen commerce and other ties between the two countries while also pledging to combat illegal mining. According to South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, “We were deeply saddened by the unfortunate loss of lives of illegal miners in Harmony Gold Mine in Welkom.” The mining firm and our respective governments are collaborating on the best techniques and a strategy to remove the miners’ remains without jeopardizing the rescue workers.
He noted that the issue is extremely delicate and “emotive,” especially for the people of Lesotho, and South Africa “will do everything we can to make sure this whole challenge… is properly handled.” According to Ramaphosa, both presidents are conscious of the “sensitivity and complexity” of the situation.
At the binational commission’s initial meeting in Pretoria on Thursday, he and Prime Minister Samuel Matekane of Lesotho both spoke. The president praised Matekane’s pledge to give the comprehensive national reform process top priority for implementation and conclusion.
It is evidence of the steadfast resolve to strengthen relations that the bilateral commission of cooperation between the two nations has been upgraded to a binational commission, he claimed.
“South Africa attaches great importance to its bilateral relations and cooperation with Lesotho. Our relationship is anchored in historic bonds of language‚ culture, and heritage. Economic relations between our two countries have grown over the years and continue to mutually benefit our respective peoples‚” said Ramaphosa.
While Lesotho’s water resources continue to serve this nation, South African firms there help to create jobs, he said. People from Lesotho have labored in South African mines and farms for many years. He added “It is important for the governments of both countries to work together to resolve challenges faced by businesses and put in place mechanisms to ensure investments are protected.
“South Africa highly appreciates the cooperation on water resources between the two countries. In particular‚ we welcome Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a vital development to enhance water security in Gauteng province and other parts of South Africa.
“The Lesotho Highlands Water Project also contributes to job creation in Lesotho and the construction of new roads‚ bringing access to previously inaccessible areas of Lesotho. South Africa is ready to cooperate with Lesotho to resolve any challenges that may arise in the implementation of the project.”
South Africa was also keen to work with its neighbor on four proposed renewable energy projects, he said.
Ramaphosa reaffirmed that South Africa will continue to support the idea of the mediation reference group and the panel of elders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to help the Basotho complete the national reform process.
Matekane claimed that the purpose of his travel to South Africa was to celebrate the beginning of the binational commission agreement as well as to deepen relations between the two nations.
“The official launch of the binational commission ushers in a new beginning in the relationship between South Africa and Lesotho,” he said. “For centuries our forebears freely interacted and enjoyed people-to-people relations that continue to underpin our relations even today.”
Matekane noted that the economies of both countries are not only intertwined but interdependent. “As we hold this historic first session of the BNC‚ our duty is to build on the rich history between the countries and the cooperation that is strong in many fields.
“The BNC will serve as a platform for dialogue when we discuss issues of mutual concern‚ explore new opportunities in areas of cooperation and develop innovative solutions to our common challenges that will foster a deeper cooperation and understanding between our two nations.”
The commission will accelerate stronger cooperation in critical areas such as migration‚ trade‚ green energy‚ water resources‚ infrastructure development‚ transport‚ agriculture‚ mining‚ digital technologies‚ defense and security.
The two countries will continue to hold diplomatic consultations to harmonize positions on regional‚ continental and international issues of concern and interest‚ said Matekane.