Story by Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
THE Pan African Parliament (PAP) Ambassador for Inter-Africa Trade, Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, Her Excellency Bridgett Motsepe, has implored Africa to take ownership of her mineral resources to foster transformative development.
Ambassador Motsepe, who is currently in Zimbabwe, paid a courtesy call on President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House in Harare this Wednesday.
With Africa endowed with vast mineral deposits, Ambassador Motsepe said her closed-door meeting with President Mnangagwa saw them discussing the need for Africa to take ownership of its resources.
“Zimbabwe is the future where mining is concerned. You have minerals that are strategic. I’m very happy to see the positive developments that are taking place in the country. Within the conference, we discussed the road we travelled, the economic liberation has to continue, and I spoke about the legislation we have in SA that every licence holder must have local people becoming shareholders,” she said.
Ambassador Motsepe also stressed the importance of ensuring investors partner with locals in their mining ventures.
“These are the things we spoke about, how do we make sure that when foreign direct investment comes, the ownership is in partnerships with locals. I congratulated him for the stability that has been going on in the country, and Africans need to take charge of their resources,” she said.
The Pan African Parliament Ambassador also stressed the need for all companies in the mining sectors across the continent to desist from listing their companies offshore and under-pricing minerals at the expense of their countries.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address this Tuesday, President Mnangagwa urged mining companies operating in Zimbabwe to adhere to the country’s laws.
