MONDAY, 4.00PM
PRESIDENT Nelson Mandela and foreign affairs minister Alfred Nzo arrived in Zimbabwe today for a three-day state visit, to be met at the Harare International Airport by President Robert Mugabe, vice-president Joshua Nkomo, and almost the entire cabinet and diplomatic corps.
Mugabe praised Mandela’s role in the Great Lakes crisis, and said he hoped he would be able to use his influence to direct the new government towards democratic change.
Mandela and Mugabe are expected to discuss speeding up talks on the stalled trade agreement between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Agreements on the creation of joint venture companies in the construction sub-sector, double taxation and exchange of students are also on the agenda. Mandela, however, scotched media reports that speculated he would sign a new trade accord during his visit. Presidential spokesman Parks Mankahlana said the visit is aimed at strenthening ties between the two countries.
South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner, with trade between the two countries totalling $909-million in 1995.