South Africa, Namibia to Strengthen Ties

Tuesday 19 April 2016 19:01
Tumaole Mohlaoli
SABC

President Jacob Zuma says lasting solutions can only be found through dialogue between South Africa and Namibia.

South Africa and Namibia have recommitted themselves to strengthening economic and political relations between the two countries.

This follows a meeting between President Jacob Zuma and his Namibian counterpart President Hage Geingob in Windhoek.

President Zuma is on a whirlwind bilateral tour of Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states. He has reiterated that South Africa remains committed to the world’s oldest customs union, despite the country calling for revenue sharing formulas to be relooked at.

Though diplomatic relations remain as cordial as ever between the southern African neighbours, discussions around the customs union revenue sharing formula remain a sore sticking point for Namibia .

South Africa's President has been touring SACU member states in a bid to reassure them that South Africa's proposals for a rethink of the customs tariff sharing formula will not threaten the existence of the world’s oldest customs union.

They are heavily reliant on the customs revenues gained from export and import taxes placed on goods entering and exiting South Africa.

President Zuma says lasting solutions can only be found through dialogue. His Namibian counterpart remains hopeful a mutually beneficial agreement can be reached.

President Zuma will wrap up his working visits to SACU member states in Lesotho.