SOUTH Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Thursday, June 20, in Johannesburg, underscored the need for a stronger partnership between Nigeria and his country.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement on Thursday that Ramaphosa stated this during a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Johannesburg.
He said that Ramaphosa thanked Tinubu for honouring the invitation to attend his inauguration for a second term in office, quoting the South African president as saying: “Thank you so much for coming for the inauguration. I was very happy to see my brother at the ceremony.
“I’m honoured and privileged to have President Tinubu attend my inauguration yesterday. It lifted my spirits and that of South Africans as a whole that the President of Africa’s biggest nation will attend our inauguration. I have come to pay my deepest respects to him and also discuss matters that unite both of our countries.
“We want to engender good economic and trade relations between Nigeria and South Africa to address the challenges that our two countries face. So, it’s been a great pleasure and an honour to have you here, your excellency, and that’s why I felt I should come and pay my respects.”
Tinubu said Ramaphosa’s inaugural speech captured most of the challenges faced by African countries and the need for more collaboration among leaders and citizens to provide solutions.
“I really enjoyed your speech at the ceremony. I was delighted to listen to you. We have lots of issues in common and we need to work more closely together. It was a good celebration,” the Tinubu said.
Ramaphosa visited the Nigerian leader in the hotel Tinubu was staying after the inauguration ceremonies, where the talks were held.
He was re-elected for a second term on June 14, following an agreement for a government of national unity between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance after the country’s ruling party failed to garner the majority to enable it sole form the government.
