Africa-Press – Namibia. Namibia and South Africa share warm relations that are deeply rooted in the joint struggle against colonialism and apartheid.
Namibia’s stability and strong economic ties make it a natural strategic partner for South Africa.
The two countries enjoy excellent and expanding bilateral cooperation across all levels, evidenced by the signing of over 150 agreements and memoranda of understanding, spanning political, economic, social, defence and security sectors, as recently announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
To conceptualise this, New Era journalist Paheja Siririka (PS) engaged former South African High Commissioner to Namibia, Thenjiwe Ethel Mtintso (TEM), on the status of the two countries and what lies ahead in terms of international and bilateral relations.
PS: How would you describe current South Africa-Namibia relations? What are the main priorities?
TEM: South Africa-Namibia relations are very solid, concrete and robust, covering a range of sectors, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, environmental management, science and technology, social development, as well as defence and security collaboration. Our relations are born out of our fight for liberation and political freedom, as well as in the trenches.
After political freedom, the economic freedom for our peoples is critical, while paying attention to issues of human rights, women and youth empowerment. People-to-people interactions continue well and are here to stay. Our respective governments can only build from them – we are, after all, one people.
At a diplomatic level, relations have been formalised through the SA-Namibia Bi-National Commission (BNC), a structured mechanism established in 2012. It is convened every two years and co-chaired by the two heads of state.
The past three sessions have witnessed around 69 bilateral agreements signed between the two nations. The third BNC, hosted by Namibia in October 2023, approved 159 decisions, including cooperation in education, trade and investment partnership, cooperation agreement in energy and improving the existing cooperation in water. These decisions are expected to be reviewed in the next two months as we prepare for the fourth BNC, which South Africa will host this year.
PS: What are the key trade sectors between South Africa and Namibia? How are they expanding?
TEM: South Africa and Namibia share strong investment and trade ties. Many South African companies have invested in Namibia. Since 1994, South Africa has been the largest investor in Namibia in the retail and banking sectors. We have a huge investment in the mining sector as well. South Africa’s private sector has a sizeable presence in Namibia, which was accompanied by huge investment and job creation. Namibia is South Africa’s second-largest market for agricultural produce. However, several years ago, Namibia unilaterally imposed a ban on South Africa’s agricultural produce to protect and develop its nascent industry. While we support the move, we are requesting that such a step in communication would prevent the South African agricultural sector from wastage and unnecessary losses.
South Africa’s top five exports to Namibia during 2020-2023 were machinery, prepared foodstuffs, vehicles, chemicals and base metals. The total value of these exports reached more than R62 billion in 2023.
Natural or cultured pearls, live animals, vehicles, prepared foodstuffs and vegetables, minerals and raw materials, livestock and animal products, fish and seafood, as well as beverages, account for the top exports from Namibia. They amounted to about R16 billion in 2022.
PS: What is South Africa’s view on AfCFTA, and how can Namibia contribute?
TEM: For South Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) is a strategic priority for promoting the continent’s industrialisation, economic integration and development. It is central to achieving the goals set out in Agenda 2063.
Intra-African trade remains a national strength. As reported in a recent African Trade Report, South Africa exported US$29.6 billion and imported US$9.6 billion from African partners, with intra-African exports comprising 26.8% of total exports. Key sectors include automotive, agro-processing and financial services. We expect these to grow further.
Intra-African trade is critical in our journey to industrialisation and development, both at the national and continental levels. We need to fast-track this. This platform creates these opportunities, which are customised to the continent’s strengths. This mechanism is developed for our continent by Africans, which will help reduce reliance on outside parties.
It reduces dependence on external markets, builds economic resilience and enables value addition within Africa. When African nations trade more with one another, they retain more wealth, create higher-quality jobs and foster inclusive growth through regional value chains.
PS: Highlight some youth or education programmes linking Namibian and South African students?
TEM: In academic programmes, South Africa plays host to thousands of students at various tertiary institutions, covering a range of study disciplines that are not offered in Namibia. At the beginning of the academic year, the High Commission processes more than 400 study permit applications on an annual basis.
Regarding the youth programme, there have been exchanges throughout the years that continue to depend on financial resources.
As South Africa is preparing to host the G20 Summit, a working group on inter alia, a youth working group was established. I believe the Namibian youth forums were invited to contribute to the larger platform.
PS: How do the two countries cooperate on issues like border security and climate change?
TEM: There is some cooperation between the two home affairs and police ministries to improve border security and respond to climate change risks. I recall a site visit in December 2024 by the line function departments handling conservation and response to risks along the Namibia-South Africa border. When the review is conducted, we will get a better understanding of the outstanding issues in these two sectors.
PS: What has been your most rewarding experience as High Commissioner? What legacy do you hope to leave?
TEM: This posting gave me an opportunity to re-unite with long-lost comrades, friends and diplomats. I was able to engage with the late president Hage Geingob on our time in exile when he was a lecturer, trying to get me to sit in his lecture while I, as a young student, was trying to ‘cut’ class and do political work.
For me, social diplomacy is important, and connecting with people at all levels was very gratifying.
I would love for us to remember we are people with the same dreams and aspirations. Do what you can for your fellow beings. Give a helping hand. It does not cost much, but it goes very far.
PS: Where would you like to see the SA-Namibia bond in the next five years under the leadership of President Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah and her counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa?
TEM: Building on a solid foundation such as our relationship, the leadership of both countries must focus on the implementation of policy and legal framework to simplify the immigration process for South Africans, including the process of Namibian work permits. Immigration permits continue to be an obstacle for South African investors wanting to enter Namibia.
Namibia relies on electricity imports from South Africa, primarily through Eskom, to meet its energy needs. With the recent significant oil and gas discoveries and speedy progress in the development of green hydrogen, Namibia’s energy landscape is expected to change drastically in the region and globally. I will propose to both sides to collaborate in this sector or enhance the current cooperation in energy. South Africa has experienced professionals and expertise, as well as academic and research facilities in this sector.
Furthermore, with the advent of oil and gas discoveries and infrastructure projects, the two leaders should aim to commit to retaining as much business, especially in the region.
South Africa possesses a dearth of engineering professionals, expertise, as well as academic and research programmes in construction, infrastructure, advanced transport, logistical facilities and services in these sectors. South Africa is ready and able to enter these sectors.
I would also like for South Africa and Namibia to commit to establishing the regional value chains in Namibia, especially in key sectors such as the automotive industry and agro-processing.
It will be good for South Africa to conclude its contributions to Namibia’s drought relief efforts, which have helped mitigate the impact of recurrent droughts on the Namibian economy. The drought relief programme includes the installation of 104 boreholes across six regions: Kavango East (14), Kavango West (17), Kunene (21), Ohangwena (16), Omaheke (11) and Zambezi (25, but the project is only halfway through).
PS: What will you miss most about Namibia?
TEM: I will miss the people and the country, aptly named the ‘Land of the Brave’. I will miss the uniquely prepared cuisine and culture.
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