Ronald Lamola: South Africa grateful for Nigeria's 'relentless support' during anti-apartheid struggle

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has welcomed the visiting Nigerian delegation, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to South Africa.

“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, allow me to warmly welcome you and your delegation to the city of Cape Town,” said Lamola.

“Your journey from the great country of Nigeria to our shores to facilitate the upcoming session of our respective presidents is testimony to the enduring relationship that exists between our two countries. This symbolises the very strong bonds of cooperation and solidarity that our countries enjoy.”  

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to co-chair the 11th session of the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Nigeria with Tinubu.

The South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission will take place on Tuesday, during Tinubu's working visit at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.

This year, South Africa and Nigeria are marking 30 years of diplomatic relations, established in February 1994.

The Bi-National Commission was preceded by a senior officials’ meeting on Saturday and Sunday, and the ministerial meeting on Monday. Lamola co-chaired the ministerial meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu in Cape Town.

“This year marks 30 years since our two countries established diplomatic relations, following decades of Nigeria’s relentless support for the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, a gesture we will always cherish,” said Lamola.

“Dear Minister (Odumegwu-Ojukwu), we are deeply honored to host you and your delegation at this ministerial segment of the South Africa- Nigeria Bi-National Commission.”

He said as co-chairs, the two ministers were entrusted with the distinguished yet demanding task of steering the deliberations of this 11th historic Bi-National Commission. 

The meeting on Monday was also attended by other ministers and officials from both countries. 

“You are all acknowledged, and your input will also be critical in outlining the key features of our bilateral engagements,” said Lamola. 

“I also wish to take this opportunity to express appreciation to the technical experts, the officials who are at the core of the preparatory work that underpins this structured mechanism. We look forward to receiving the report of their meeting.”

He added that the session of the Bi-National Commission would continue with the objective of further consolidating relations, to take stock and assess progress already made in implementing the decisions of the previous session, and following up on the outcomes of the review meeting held last year. 

“Whilst we have made progress in achieving our objectives, it is also apparent that we need to work even more to realise our goals, to the mutual benefit of both our nations,” said Lamola. 

“One of the overriding imperatives of our bilateral relations is the need to increase our investment and trade relations to higher levels,” he said. 

“The relatively large sizes of our economies logically dictates that our economic collaboration should be yielding much bigger results.” 

To galvanise economic cooperation and to build upon the already established sectors that investors in both markets have, Lamola said the identification of bankable projects, particularly in infrastructure development, is one of the key priorities to be jointly pursue. 

“Similarly, it is crucial for South Africa and Nigeria to expand trade relations and to utilize the opportunities provided within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. Our bilateral trade needs to reflect the enormous potentials that is abundant in our countries,” said Lamola. 

“Furthermore, enhanced people-to-people relations are critical in promoting understanding, friendship and shared values, but also in promoting tourism, our creative industries, sporting events, educational and scientific collaboration,” he said. 

“This will also allow our citizens to appreciate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures and heritage that exists in our respective countries.”

 As the two nations deepen bilateral collaboration, Lamola said the governments cannot avoid the historical responsibility to be responsive to the challenges in their respective regions, the continent of Africa and the international sphere. 

“Nigeria has always championed the creation of an international system based on the pursuit of peace in the conduct of relations among nations. Nigeria, like South Africa, puts a high premium of the promotion dialogue and peace in resolving disputes among countries,” he said. 

“Your current and previous leadership of Ecowas illustrates this track record of highlighting the supremacy of diplomacy over confrontation. South Africa, in the past thirty years as a democratic state, has espoused the principles of living in peace with its neighbors, Africa and the world,” said Lamola. 

“Our past history of division and subjugation of the oppressed majority by the privileged few, enjoined us to promote the core values of peace, dialogue, mediation and the creation of a just international order. This has shaped our approach to global issues. It is in this context that we are concerned by the state of peace and security in some parts of our continent and globally.” 

In March 2016, during the State Visit by South Africa, the Bi-National Commission between South Africa and Nigeria was elevated to a presidential level.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said there has been a number of exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries, including the visit to Nigeria by Ramaphosa to attend Tinubu’s inauguration ceremony held in Abuja on May 29 2023.

In turn, Tinubu attended the inauguration of Ramaphosa in June 2024 and the two heads of State had an opportunity to exchange views.

“South Africa regards Nigeria as a strategic partner in the context of bilateral relations in the West Africa region, and the continent in pursuing the vision for Africa’s renewal, South-South cooperation, and in the promotion of a rules-based international system of governance. The two countries share a common vision on issues of political and economic integration of the African continent,” Dirco said in a media advisory.

There are currently 34 agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries which cover a wide range of fields including economic, technical, scientific, social, and tourism, amongst others.

The two countries share historical relations dating back to the struggles against colonialism and the apartheid, during which period Nigeria supported the African National Congress and other liberation movements.

Nigeria spearheaded various campaigns, calling for political and economic sanctions against the apartheid system.

In December 1989, Nigeria championed the adoption of the landmark UN Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in South Africa.

The Bi-National Commission is expected to further deepen the existing political relations between South Africa and Nigeria and celebrate thirty years of unbroken diplomatic relations between the two countries since 1994.

A business roundtable between South Africa and Nigeria will follow after the conclusion of the Bi-National Commission on Tuesday.

Nigeria accounts for approximately 64% of South Africa’s total trade with the West African region.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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