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Retlaw Matatu Matorwa Correspondent
Last week President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa joined his two counterparts, President Edgar Lungu of Zambia and President Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana to inspect progress achieved towards the construction of the US$250 million Kazungula Bridge in Kasane, Botswana.

Zimbabwe took this opportunity to join the Kazungula Bridge project arrangement – a move which will result in the bridge extending into Zimbabwe.

Fault-finders of President Mnangagwa were quick to question his prudence in attending last week’s event and also whether Kazungula Bridge is of any significant value to Zimbabwe’s economic matrix. After visiting Kasane, President Mnangagwa wrote on his official Facebook page “ . . . The days of an isolationist Zimbabwe are over.”

His sentiments beckoned Zimbabwe’s foreign policy trajectory his administration adopted — indicating a shift in policy from his predecessor.

His foreign policy approach seems to indicate that ED’s administration recognises the importance of Zimbabwe to interact, re-engage and cement relations with the region and beyond.

To this end, Zimbabwe Government is cognisant of maintaining cordial relations with its neighbouring states in the furtherance of its national interests. Hence, our immediate neighbours comprising Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Namibia are important stakeholders in the attainment of Zimbabwe’s national interests.

Above all, the presence of Zimbabwe in Kasane was an expression of commitment towards regional solidarity and its willingness to be a progressive member of the SADC community of nations.

Zimbabwe has been a source of controversy, friction and a cause for divisions within SADC. Apart from the diplomatic standoff over border disputes with Zambia, tension emerged with South Africa during the Nelson Mandela era over the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security (1996).

Long standing trade wars have caused tension between the two countries, for example in 2016, Zimbabwe introduced a law which barred importation of specified commodities – a situation which affected South African industries, and other issues regarding the treatment of Zimbabweans living in South Africa. These remained grey areas characterising Harare-Pretoria relations. Relations with Botswana also suffered amid tensions between President Khama of Botswana and the then President Robert Mugabe over a number of issues, including alleged human rights abuses and influx of economic refugees from Zimbabwe into Botswana.

Mozambique, an all-weather friend of Zimbabwe, is faced with internal security threat from Renamo – a long time secessionist group whose activities remain a security concern in Manicaland Province, east of Zimbabwe.

Given this background, President Mnangagwa’s diplomatic efforts acknowledge the importance of maintaining and restoring relations with neighbouring states.

Zimbabwe must utilise opportunities to interact and network with decision makers in the region to improve relations and secure her national interests.

It is in the social, economic, political and security interest of Zimbabwe to cement relations with its neighbouring states.

Above all, Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), whose key objective is to secure economic progress and social well-being of its inhabitants.

The Kazungula Bridge project is part of SADC Infrastructure Development Master Plan, which seeks to enhance regional integration, promote intra-trade through infrastructure development. Infrastructure is part of SADC’s efforts to boost intra-regional trade and integration. It is envisioned that improved infrastructure such as communication, railways and road networks will increase intra-trade and boost regional integration. As such, the Kazungula Bridge was initially designed to connect three countries namely Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Once completed, it is set to provide easy access to Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Africa, thereby improving trade relations within SADC.

Phase two of the project is geared to establish a one-stop-border post which will enhance efficiency, convenience, reduce lag time for both cargo and travellers.

In this regard, progressive Zimbabweans must commend the ED administration for expediently resolving sticking points which were standing in the way of Kazungula Bridge project.

Had Zimbabwe shunned this ceremony, it would have demonstrated lack of political will towards regional solidarity and risk being further isolated from the region.

It is, therefore, mischief of the highest order to conclude that Kazunglua Bridge is of no economic value to Zimbabwe. Also misleading is the reasoning that Kazungula Bridge construction was an attempt to sidestep Zimbabwe owing to its political instability. The reality is that Kazungula Bridge complements the Beitbridge route as the gateway into the interior of Africa.