South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, will make a working visit to the Republic of Zambia on 20 October for political and diplomatic consultations with her counterpart, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kakubo.

The ministers are expected to discuss preparations for the inaugural session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) on a date to be agreed upon by both countries.

The working visit will also provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional, continental and international issues of mutual interest, as reported by the official website of the South African government.

Zambia assumed the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security in August 2023. The body is responsible for maintaining peace, democracy and good governance in the region.

SADC is the Southern African Development Community.

The bilateral relations and bonds of friendship between the people of South Africa and Zambia date back to the 1960s when Zambia provided the necessary support to the South African anti-apartheid movement.

In 1992, relations between the two countries were at the level of missions. Full diplomatic relations were established in 1994.

In August 2018, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Zambia. During the visit, an agreement was signed to establish the South Africa-Zambia Bi-National Commission.

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