President Cyril Ramaphosa identified cooperation in infrastructure development as a major priority in his opening remarks at the second session of the Lesotho-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) in Lesotho last week.
“South Africa and Lesotho are making strides in cooperation on water resource management,” he said.
“The Lesotho Highlands Water Project is a good example of how two friendly countries can collaborate to the benefit of our peoples.”
He said he hoped that Phase 2 of the project would be completed soon.
“South Africa and Lesotho should also work together in electricity generation.
“We should align our countries' just energy transition agendas and projects.”
Underscoring the critical role of energy security for the two countries, he said it would play a major role in driving manufacturing industries, powering cities, towns and villages and providing the tools to adapt to the demands of the new global economy.
“We need to redouble our efforts to establish bilateral and regional value chains that are sustainable and economically viable.
“Our countries are both endowed with mineral resources, and we need to beneficiate these minerals locally.”
In addition, he believes diversification of products and services is crucial.
“We must diversify the products we produce and the services we provide.
“In this regard, the establishment of logistics hubs, agro-processing facilities and data centres to support the emerging digital industry is one of the opportunities South Africa and Lesotho should harness.
“Lesotho hosts many South African companies, and we appreciate the conducive environment in which these corporate entities operate.”
However, he said investments by Basotho companies in the South African economy needed to be further promoted.
“We also need to work together to harmonise measures for the movement of our respective citizens across our borders.
“We can strengthen immigration cooperation in a manner that is effective and secure.”
Cross-border criminal activities that undermine the harmonious co-existence are a key concern.
“Our respective authorities should focus on the threats posed by global organised crime, which fuel illegal mining, drug and human trafficking, arms smuggling, wildlife destruction, illicit financial flows and money laundering.
“Let us work together as peace-loving nations – within SADC, the African Union and the United Nations – to pursue a just global order founded on multilateralism, human rights and respect for international law.
“Let us strive together to reform global institutions so that they are inclusive and advance the interests of the Global South.”
