President Cyril Ramaphosa: State banquet toast remarks from State Visit to Botswana

Your Excellency, President Duma Gideon Boko,
First Lady Kaone Tumalano Boko,
The Mayor of Gaborone,
The Speaker of Parliament of Botswana,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Guests,
Bo Mma le Borra,

Dumelang!

Allow me to express my sincere appreciation for the distinct privilege and honour of being invited for this historic State Visit.

This is no ordinary State Visit. It is a coming together of brethren from the same family.

We are one people, born of the same soil and bound together by a shared history.

On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, we convey our deepest sympathies at the passing of one of Botswana's greatest sons, His Excellency Former President Festus Mogae. He was a gentle giant, and illustrious African and a global statesman.

Your loss is our loss. He will leave an indelible mark.

President Mogae came in the footsteps of a remarkable array of great Batswana leaders, who have led a proud, resourceful and heroic people with a glorious history.

President Boko,

We commend the vigour and vision with which you are leading Botswana on a path of modernisation and towards a future of sustained development and prosperity.

You can count on South Africa - a reliable neighbour, friend and partner - as you continue along this path.

Together, we are part of SADC, a community of nations that played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa from the crime of apartheid.

Botswana was an ally and friend of the South African people in our quest for justice, democracy and human rights for all.

Botswana provided solidarity, support and refuge to our people during our days of need, sometimes at a great cost to yourself.

We continue to experience the dynamism of the ties between our peoples forged through a common history, heritage and geography.

Our fortunes are intertwined and the possibilities of our cooperation are endless.

The levels of trade and investment between our two countries are substantial.

There is much scope to expand commerce between our countries and to achieve greater balance in the volume and value of trade.

We must work together to seize the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area and to strengthen cooperation within SACU.

South Africa stands ready to partner with Botswana as you march towards the diversification of your economy.

We therefore look forward to the Botswana-South Africa Business Forum taking place tomorrow.

The sixth session of the Bi-National Commission, which we will co-chair tomorrow, will deliberate on the many and diverse areas of bilateral cooperation that underpin our collaboration.

I thank you for this wonderful dinner and the enchanting cultural and musical displays this evening.

My delegation and I will long remember the hospitality you have extended to us.

You are a true friend and Brother and our peoples remain forever together.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please join me in raising a toast:

To the good health and success of His Excellency President Duma Gideon Boko, to the continued prosperity of the Republic of Botswana and its people, and to the enduring bonds of friendship and partnership between the peoples of South Africa and Botswana.

Ke a leboga go menagane.

Pula!

I thank you.

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