Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji has announced that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday be in Zambia for a working visit.

Malanji disclosed in a statement issued, Wednesday, that this would be President Ramaphosa’s first visit to Zambia since he assumed office in February this year.

“I wish to inform the nation that his Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, will receive the President of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa on August 9, 2018 for a working visit in order to hold consultations. This marks the first visit to Zambia since His Excellency Ramaphosa assumed office in February, 2018,” Malanji stated.

And Malanji stated that the visit by the South African President was significant as it would provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to discuss regional peace and security issues.

“The nation may wish to note that this visit is significant as it will provide an opportunity for the two Heads of State to discuss regional peace and security issues, as South Africa is the chair of SADC and Zambia will assume chair of the SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation, during the 38th SADC summit scheduled to be held in Namibia from August 17 to 18, 2018,” he stated.

Malanji stated that during the visit, the two Heads of State would witness the signing of an agreement to establish a Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the two countries.

He stated that the purpose of the BNC was to seek ways and means of promoting and enhancing cooperation in the various sectors of government.

“I also wish to inform the nation that during the visit by H.E President Ramaphosa, the two Heads of State will witness the signing of an agreement to establish a Bi-national Commission (BNC) between the two countries, which is an elevation of the Joint Commission for Cooperation. The BNC will meet annually and will be chaired by the two Heads of State of Zambia and South Africa. The purpose of the BNC is to seek ways and means of promoting and enhancing cooperation in the various sectors of government and to coordinate initiatives in this regard, as well as to facilitate contact between the public and private sectors of Zambia and South Africa,” stated Malanji.

“The BNC will therefore add impetus to the implementation of agreed areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The signing of the BNC agreement will indeed be yet another landmark occasion in the relations between Zambia and South Africa. Zambia attaches great importance to its relations with South Africa and looks forward to welcoming His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.”