South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is looking forward to working with incoming President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi who will be taking over from incumbent, Ian Khama next month.
President Ramaphosa was speaking at his arrival at Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, for his state visit as the Chair of SADC.
Ramaphosa says both Botswana and South Africa need to forge and advance bilateral relations in order to address socioeconomic challenges between the two countries and across the SADC region.
“We look forward to working together with Vice-President Masisi, as he assumes position of President. I look forward to working with him and having good continued relations between Botswana and South Africa. Clearly we will be quite happy and keen to working and coming on a state visit to Botswana; and also explore in many areas of corporation as both economic and trade wise.”
Ramaphosa’s visit comes as President Ian Khama steps down, exactly 10 years since his inauguration at the end of this month.
Botswana is going through its own political transition as President Khama hands over power to his Deputy Mokgweetsi Masisi, who will be inaugurated on the first of April.
This predictable change of power is what has made Botswana one of the most stable democracies and strongest economies in the region.
President Khama’s outspokenness is expected to bring regional issues to the table.
