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President Jacob Zuma has returned to South Africa following a successful two-day State Visit to the Republic of Mozambique at the invitation of his counterpart, His Excellency President Filipe Nyusi.

The two leaders held successful official talks and discussed issues of mutual interest, in particular on bilateral, regional and continental cooperation.

The issue of cooperation was high on the agenda and both Presidents agreed to establish a Binational Commission which will enable continuous monitoring and implementation of decisions taken.

Both countries also discussed the energy challenges on which they agreed to work together to benefit from the resources in both countries and to have better coordinated programmes, especially in the light of recently discovered gas reserves in Mozambique and electricity challenges in South Africa.

“We have discussed the energy issue and together with President Nyusi have tasked respective Energy Ministers to immediately explore gas energy and have practical programmes to address this matter," said the President.

In addressing political conflicts continentally, President Zuma stressed that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries need to pull together when neighbouring countries are in conflicts as any instability in one, affects the others.

The President also used the State Visit to convey, on behalf of government and the people of South Africa, his deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the recent attacks on foreign nationals and apologized to the Mozambicans, whom the President described as "friendly, warm and accommodative to their brothers and sisters for centuries."

“On behalf of the people of South Africa, I have apologised and offered condolences to President Nyusi, affected families and the people of Mozambique for the recent attacks against foreign nationals, including Mozambican citizens,” said President Zuma.

President Zuma said he had during these engagements, given a detailed report on what South Africa and the appointed Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration are doing to address the underlying causes ensure that what has happened does not happen again. 

In this regard, “Our messages and measures taken to address foreign national attacks were warmly received by President Nyusi and his delegation and our warm relations will continue to thrive going into the future,” he said.

The President also paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Assemble Republic, Ms Veronica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo. The two leaders discussed recent horrific attacks on foreign nationals, the important role of the Pan-African Parliament and the importance of Parliament as the apex of democracy.

President Zuma has extended an invitation to President Nyusi to undertake a State Visit to South Africa, which he accepted.

The President was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Energy, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa.

Issued by The Presidency