On 24 April, a diplomatic reception was held in Pretoria, hosted by Ambassador David Hamadziripi, to mark the 45th anniversary of Zimbabwe's independence. The event brought together diplomats, government officials, business representatives and members of the Zimbabwean diaspora to mark the occasion and reflect on the journey the nation has taken since independence in 1980.
In his speech, Ambassador David Hamadziripi emphasised the theme of this year's celebrations: highlighting Zimbabwe's commitment to inclusive development and decentralised governance as essential pillars for achieving national goals.
Hamadziripi outlined several key achievements that contribute to Zimbabwe's resilience and long-term growth. "Our economy is expected to grow by six percent this year," he said, citing expected agricultural production, a dynamic mining sector, improved manufacturing capacity and an increase in tourism as optimistic forecasts. He reaffirmed that Zimbabwe's progress towards achieving upper middle income by 2030 remains on track.
Zimbabwe's success is crucial not only for its citizens but also for the wider Southern African region. A stable and prosperous Zimbabwe contributes to regional peace, economic integration and shared growth. As the current chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Zimbabwe remains committed to promoting peace and stability, sustainable development and accelerated regional integration, Hamadziripi said.
He also highlighted the importance of the bilateral relationship between Zimbabwe and South Africa, which is rooted in shared history, values and aspirations. "We are seeing increased high-level engagement and stronger people-to-people contacts. We look forward to the 4th session of the Bilateral Commission later this year to take this momentum further."
The Ambassador also highlighted cultural and sporting ties and announced the upcoming Test cricket matches and a series of T20 internationals between Zimbabwe, South Africa and New Zealand to be held in Zimbabwe from June 28.
Hamadziripi congratulated South Africa on becoming the first African country to chair the G20 and host a summit on the continent. He also warmly congratulated Zimbabwean Olympian and former Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry on her election as President of the International Olympic Committee - the first African and the first woman to lead the organisation.
Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathalewho represented the South African Government, praised Zimbabwe's unwavering support during the fight against apartheid. He stressed the importance of working together to address the evolving global geopolitical situation. "To mitigate the challenges posed by global uncertainty, our countries must think and position themselves strategically to protect national interests and promote regional stability," Mathale said.
He appreciated the strength of bilateral trade between the two countries and called for increased investment flows in both directions. Mathale highlighted the importance of the bilateral commission, which was established in 2015, and reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to attend its next meeting later this year. He also stressed the need for continued cooperation in the fight against cross-border and organised crime and mentioned joint law enforcement efforts.
Mathale called for the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, saying they were having a devastating impact on the country's economy and people. "We must renew our solidarity with Zimbabwe in its efforts to fend off the devastating effects of the punitive, unilateral and unjust sanctions imposed on it by some Western countries. South Africa calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe," he said.
Mathale paid tribute to Kirsty Coventry's leadership at the IOC and the hope she brings for a stronger representation of Africa in international sport.
Guests were treated to authentic Zimbabwean cuisine as a cultural highlight of the event, which focused on diplomacy, solidarity and regional partnerships.
Thediplomaticsociety/gnews.cz
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