Despite publicity to the contrary, Zimbabwe was a stable and peaceful environment for business, that country’s envoy to South Africa said on Monday.
”Those who have been in Zimbabwe lately, including during the recent parliamentary elections, can testify to the peace and tranquillity … in my country,” said ambassador Simon Moyo.
”Those who have visited Zimbabwe are obviously alive to the growing and bountiful business opportunities waiting to be harnessed. You are all welcome to Zimbabwe.”
Moyo was speaking at celebrations in Pretoria to mark Zimbabwe’s 25 years of independence.
He told guests, including South African Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sue van der Merwe, that despite the picture painted by some sections of the media, the ”excellent” relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa were much deeper and broader.
”I am very happy to report that our relations continue to blossom in the areas of trade, transport, health, agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, among others,” Moyo said.
South Africa was by far Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner and was also one of the most important gateways to the outside world. However, there was room for improvement and Zimbabwe looked forward to an exciting and productive year, he said.
Moyo said now that Zimbabwe’s elections were over, his government had turned its attention to address developmental challenges and intensify economic recovery.
He said the country’s land reform was complete and irreversible.
”The policy of one person one farm [black or white] will be scrupulously adhered to. We are on the march forward never to be a colony again,” Moyo said.
Van der Merwe told the celebrations that ”the government and the people of South Africa salute and congratulate you on your achievements”.
”An occasion like this reminds us to take stock on how far we have come and ensure that our people reap the fruits of their struggle for liberation, peace and development.”
In a prepared speech, Van der Merwe committed South Africa to ”consolidating” relations with Zimbabwe.
That country’s independence on April 18, 1980, had been a milestone in the history of the continent, she said. Since then, a great number of changes have taken place in Zimbabwe and on the continent.
”Today, we face even more challenges than before, which require our collective efforts to overcome. To safeguard the legacy of our common struggle and at the same time safeguard the future of the children of Africa we now, more than ever, need to act in unison to overcome these challenges.”
She congratulated the people of Zimbabwe for having elected a new government in elections on March 31, and encouraged them ”in their tireless efforts to contribute to the continental drive to bring about democracy in Africa as well as contributing to an equal and just world”.
As a founder member of the African Union, Zimbabwe remained ”a critical player in the rebirth of the continent, and we will support the efforts of the Zimbabwean people to regain its position as one of the leading economies in Africa. – Sapa