11 November 2013
South Africa has pledged a R100-million aid package to help alleviate the effects of drought in Namibia, it was announced after talks last week between President Jacob Zuma and his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Zuma was in Windhoek, Namibia for a two-day state visit on Wednesday and Thursday.
The semi-arid country has been hard hit by its worst drought in 30 years.
South Africa’s president said the package added to international efforts to help Namibia minimise the drought’s impact on food security, according to an SABC report.
During their talks, Zuma and Pohamba also reviewed a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues, and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in pursuit of regional economic integration.
The presidents said they hoped the newly established Bi-National Commission between the two countries would enhance bilateral economic and political ties. The commission will cover sectors such as education, gender, health, fisheries, land, culture and ICT.
South Africa has emphasised that the commission should also contribute to improving regional integration, intra-African trade, and infrastructure development, in order to ease the movement of people and goods across borders.
According to official statistics, about 66% of Namibian exports go to South Africa, while South Africa takes up about 80% of total investment in Namibia’s mining, retail, banking and insurance sectors.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
