Maseru: President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to undertake a working visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho, where he will co-chair the second session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between South Africa and Lesotho alongside Prime Minister Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by 15 Ministers for the session, which follows the inaugural meeting held in September 2023 in Pretoria. The elevation of bilateral cooperation to a BNC level in 2022 signifies the strong foundation of relations between the two countries and a commitment to mutual benefit through various sectors.
The South African Presidency emphasized the significance of the session in promoting regional solidarity amidst geopolitical shifts. A key focus will be the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), with discussions on expediting Phase II in line with agreed timelines and budgets. Additionally, the session will address the impact of South African investments in Lesotho, which have created numerous jobs, and the movement of people between the two nations.
The upcoming discussions aim to foster stronger political and bilateral relations, deepen economic cooperation, review the implementation of the inaugural session’s outcomes, and identify new priority areas. The BNC will also provide a platform for exchanging views on regional, continental, and global issues of mutual concern.
This high-level engagement will be preceded by the Meeting of Senior Officials (SOM) and the Council of Ministers Meeting, scheduled for April 22, 2025.