South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma was due to visit Namibia Thursday for the inauguration of the Bi-National Commission between the two countries, according to presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.
The Commission will serve as an important mechanism for the strengthening and enhancement of cooperation between South Africa and Namibia.
President Zuma will also hold private talks with his counterpart, Hifikepunye Phoambe.
Maharaj said President Zuma is being accompanied by a high-powered delegation that includes Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane; Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies; Minister of Science and Technology Derek Hanekom; Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa; Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa.
South Africa is the destination of 66% of Namibia’s exports and holds approximately 80% of investments in key sectors of Namibia’s economy such as mining, retail, banking and insurance.
Namibia is also one of the eight leading tourists markets for South Africa in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), with more than 200,000 tourists visiting each year.
The highest proportion of SADC tourists to South Africa on Business in 2012 came from Namibia (25.9%).
