President Jacob Zuma to drum up support for improved relations with Zambia and is also expected to engage in talks about the country’s political situation.
He will be on a one day visit to the country on Saturday where he will officially open the Zambian Agricultural and Commercial show.
Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union states have an agreement to urgently improve trade among member state countries.
Since some are in recession, it’s essential that the region finds ways to expand intra-Africa trade.
The Zambian Agricultural show is one way of doing so.
South African Commissioner in Zambia Sikose Mji says:” Two weeks ago we had a trade mission of more than twenty companies here in Lusaka and some of the discussion as always centred on South Africa trade balance.”
Locals are also of the view that intra-trade could play a major role in making them realise their objectives and growing their businesses.
With the current political situation in Zambia, President Zuma is also expected to meet President Jonathan Lungu.
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichelema has been languishing in jail since April for blocking the presidential motorcade.
With South Africa taking over the chairmanship of SADC later in August efforts to facilitate peace in the region are paramount.
“Speaking of a possible discussion of the current situation when the two leaders hold a one to one meeting.”
Accepting South Africa’s role as host of this year’s SADC summit, President Zuma said the country was ready to take over from Swaziland.
– By Lehana Tsotetsi
