President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa’s strong ties with Zimbabwe, telling President Emmerson Mnangagwa that the two neighbouring countries remain bound by a shared history and future.
Ramaphosa made the remarks on Friday while welcoming Mnangagwa to the Fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The South African president referred to Mnangagwa as his “brother” and stressed the longstanding relationship between the two countries despite recent anti-illegal immigration protests in South Africa.
“We are one people. Our spirits are inseparable, and our past has been shaped by shared culture, history and language. Our future will be shaped by shared aspirations,” Ramaphosa said.
His comments come after several countries, including Zimbabwe, began repatriating their citizens from South Africa following protests against illegal immigration in June.
Ramaphosa Reminds Zimbabwe Of Support During Apartheid
Ramaphosa said South Africa would always remember the support Zimbabwe provided during the struggle against apartheid and white minority rule.
“We stood together in the fight against colonialism, white minority rule and apartheid. As South Africa, we will forever remember that the people of Zimbabwe gave us shelter, protection and support in the darkest times of our struggle,” he said.
He said the two countries had since maintained a commitment to cooperation, peace and partnership.
“Since then, our countries have held high the values of cooperation over division, peace over conflict, and partnership over competition.”
The remarks come against the backdrop of increased enforcement against undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa.
According to Home Affairs, at least 82,875 foreign nationals had been processed at repatriation centres by 6 August 2026. The figure excludes people repatriated before 30 June and those processed by the Border Management Authority.
Between 20 April and 28 July, 16,078 foreign nationals were deported from the Lindela repatriation centre.
Zimbabweans accounted for 4,095 of the deportations during the current financial year, compared with 13,479 in the previous financial year.
Malawians were the largest group deported during the periods, followed by Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Basotho.
South Africa is also seeking reimbursement from countries whose citizens have been deported.
South Africa And Zimbabwe Look To Economic Cooperation
Ramaphosa said South Africa and Zimbabwe should strengthen economic cooperation and work together on infrastructure and development projects.
“We should be working together to build the bridges, roads, dams, airports, health facilities and schools that will drive our economies into the future,” he said.
He also called for greater cooperation in using the countries’ mineral resources to create jobs and economic opportunities.
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“Working together, we must convert our abundant mineral resources into jobs, opportunity and prosperity for our people.”
Ramaphosa highlighted the agreement to supply water from Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge Water Works to Musina as an example of bilateral cooperation aimed at addressing basic needs and strengthening resilience against climate change.
“We must work together to ensure that all our people have enough food,” he said.
South Africa And Zimbabwe Strengthen Prison Cooperation
The two countries have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in correctional services.
A memorandum of understanding provides for technical cooperation on information management, the exchange of information relating to prisons and correctional services, and initiatives aimed at improving prison self-sufficiency through agricultural and industrial production.
The agreement also establishes a framework for the interstate transfer of offenders between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
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The Department of Correctional Services said the agreement was important because citizens of both countries are serving sentences across their respective borders.
The latest agreements form part of efforts by South Africa and Zimbabwe to deepen cooperation while addressing shared challenges between the neighbouring countries.
