President Cyril has arrived in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, at the invitation of President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, on a working visit.

While in Zimbabwe, Ramaphosa will participate, as the guest of honour, in the official opening of the annual Zimbabwe Agricultural Show.

“The Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is an annual event organised by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society to facilitate and promote agricultural development in the country,” said Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.

This year, the show will be celebrating its 130th anniversary since its founding in 1895 and will run under the theme “Building Bridges: Connecting Agriculture, Industry and Commerce”. 

In 2024, the show attracted 570 exhibitors, including 13 international exhibitors. About 230,000 visitors visited the show last year.

“The visit will also provide the president (Ramaphosa) with an opportunity to solidify the cordial relations that exist between South Africa and Zimbabwe, particularly in the economic sector,” said Magwenya.

Their Excellencies President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Cyril Ramaphosa are touring the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where exhibitors have taken up over 79,500 square meters of the available 86,500 square meters, with around 580 exhibitors showcasing their innovations… pic.twitter.com/Wbfknzvn1I

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) August 29, 2025

He said the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show will also help promote intra-regional trade and economic integration within the SADC region. 

“Zimbabwe is one of South Africa’s main trading partners in the SADC region. In 2024, South Africa exported R69,21 billion worth of goods and merchandise to Zimbabwe compared to R57,5 billion in 2023,” said Magwenya. 

Vegetables were the main exports and contributed R11,9 billion to the total exports to Zimbabwe.

In terms of imports, in 2024, South Africa imported R5.4 billion worth of goods and merchandise from Zimbabwe compared to R4.4 billion in 2023. 

Magwenya said over 120 South African companies are doing business in Zimbabwe in various sectors, including, among others, mining, aviation, tourism, banking, property, retail, construction, and fast food.

“Former president Nelson Mandela graced this event as guest of honour on 26 August 1994,” said Magwenya.

During the working visit, Ramaphosa is accompanied by Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Alvin Botes, and senior government officials.

On the other hand, spokesperson for the Zimbabwean government, Nick Mangwana said Mnangagwa and Ramaphosa were touring the 115th Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where exhibitors have taken up over 79,500 square meters of the available 86,500 square meters, with around 580 exhibitors showcasing their innovations across agriculture, industry, and other key sectors.

“The event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to share knowledge and showcase developments in these diverse fields,” said Mangwana.

Ramaphosa was received at the Robert Mugabe International Airport by a high-level contingent, including Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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