PHUTI MOSOMANE
PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated the need to expand cooperation between South Africa and Namibia in the energy sector, particularly in new, clean technologies like green hydrogen, which will promote cross-border development and catalyse economic growth and job creation in both countries.
Ramaphosa’s remarks were made during the opening session of the Namibian President Hage Geingob’s state visit to South Africa on Thursday.
Namibia is a crucial trading partner for South Africa in both the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“One of the areas to expand cooperation is in energy investment. For example, how do we leverage the growing demand for new, clean technologies like green hydrogen to promote cross-border development? Both our countries are planning massive hydrogen projects,” said Ramaphosa, also emphasizing the need for both countries to deepen their cooperation, particularly in trade and investment.
“Such projects are key to the energy security of South Africa and Namibia and will catalyse economic growth and job creation in both our countries. We need to look at how we collaborate, as our respective governments, state-owned enterprises and private companies, to seize this great opportunity. “
He also pledged to continue working closely with Namibia as the current chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to promote regional peace and stability, including supporting regional anti-terrorism initiatives in northern Mozambique.
“South Africa pledges to continue to work closely with Namibia as current chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to promote regional peace and stability,” said Ramaphosa.
“Please be assured of our full support during your tenure, including with respect to regional anti-terrorism initiatives in northern Mozambique.”
Ramaphosa also stressed the importance of supporting the struggle for self-determination and freedom of the Saharawi people, and the need to enforce all United Nations and African Union resolutions and decisions related to the Western Sahara issue.
He called for mobilizing regional, continental, and international support for a sustainable resolution and pushing for the Kingdom of Morocco and the Polisario Front to resume dialogue without preconditions.
Regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ramaphosa said that South Africa and Namibia believe the United Nations and the office of the Secretary-General should play an active role in resolving the conflict.
“South Africa, like Namibia, maintains that the United Nations and the office of the Secretary-General should play an active role in resolving this conflict. We also agree that the UN in its current configuration needs to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the majority of the world’s people. We must step up our efforts to change the design of multilateral systems of governance,” he said.
Ramaphosa also highlighted that both South Africa and Namibia are water-scarce countries and vulnerable to climate change and emphasized the need for collaboration in pursuing low-carbon, inclusive, climate resilient development, critical to the sustainability of the continent.
“Like Namibia, South Africa is a water-scare country and is thus particularly vulnerable to climate change and its effects on food security, energy generation, and many other sectors,” he said.
“We need to work together in pursuit of low-carbon, inclusive, climate resilient development, which is critical to the sustainability of our continent.”
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