South African President Thabo Mbeki has said the land-reform programme in Zimbabwe had to happen to deal with the legacy of colonialism, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) news reported on Friday
Mbeki said it was essential that new farmers in Zimbabwe be helped with necessities such as seed and ploughing implements. He was answering questions put to him by academics at the university of Dar es Salaam during a visit to Tanzania.
Zimbabwe’s aggressive land-reform programme has led to the collapse of the country’s economy and was believed to be one of the main reasons behind Zimbabwe’s political crisis.
Mbeki was last week tasked by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to act as mediator to help solve the country’s problems.
Meanwhile South Africa and Tanzania on Thursday signed various agreements aimed at increasing investment, the SABC reported.
The Tanzanian government called on South African investors to seize business opportunities there to help its economic development. South Africa was Tanzania’s fifth largest investor.
South African exports increased from just over R1,5-billion in 2001 to about R2,7-billion last year. Tanzanian imports also rose from a mere R38-million six years ago to R308-million last year.
Speaking to the SABC, Tanzania’s president Jakaya Kikwete said: ”I appeal to South African investors to look at Tanzania as a prospective and lucrative investment destination”.
Trade talks between the two countries included major projects in transport, energy, agriculture and manufacturing.
Mbeki said: ”Apart from the impact that it should have on our two countries, it should serve as a specific example of what we mean when, in the context of Nepad [New Partnership for African Development], we talk about cooperation among ourselves and drawing on our own resources to effect the development of the African continent”.
The two presidents have also agreed to waive visa requirements and a merchant shipping agreement was also in place.
Beyond the bilateral arrangements, the meeting paid particular attention to the two spatial development corridors linking several countries in the region.
The multibillion-rand projects, which several South African companies were involved in, were expected to unlock the region’s economic potential, the SABC reported. – Sapa