Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has inked a landmark five-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China’s Longnan municipality aimed at turbocharging trade, agriculture, and cultural exchange.
Longnan is a prefecture-level city located in south-eastern Gansu province in north-west China, acting as a strategic corridor between Gansu, Shaanxi, and Sichuan — rich in agriculture, natural resources, and varied landscapes.
The agreement was signed during Ndlovu’s official visit to the People’s Republic of China, where he is leading a high-level delegation that includes agriculture MEC Nompumelelo Hlophe, director-general Maggie Skhosana, head of agriculture Cain Chunda, and senior officials from the departments of agriculture and treasury.
Enhancing access to trade
The MOU paves the way for deep collaboration between Mpumalanga and Longnan in areas such as industrial cooperation, agroprocessing, infrastructure development, tourism, cultural programmes, and skills development.
“This will be realised through the operationalisation of the Mpumalanga International Food Market, which will benefit, among others, our farmers in previously disadvantaged communities and our people,” said Ndlovu.
He added that the partnership aligns with commitments made during the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation Summit and recent bilateral talks between South Africa and China held in Beijing.
“As representatives of Mpumalanga, we are responding to the vision of our president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, when he signed this agreement,” Ndlovu said.
“Through the MOU we entered into, we are defining a series of action plans and interventions aimed at enhancing trade access to and from both Mpumalanga and Longnan municipality.”
Bilateral trade expansion
A key focus of the deal is bilateral trade expansion, including the facilitation of market access for South African agricultural products into China, the reduction of non-tariff barriers, and the promotion of logistics and agri-processing ventures.
Longnan City’s executive vice mayor Li Rong welcomed the MOU, expressing hope that the partnership will lead to long-term and meaningful cooperation between the two regions.
“Longnan will henceforth be your home in China,” said Rong.
“The relationship between China and South Africa is not just a win-win situation but one of complementary advantages to create shared value together. We hope that this will initiate a ‘family+partner’ relationship between the two sides.”
During his visit, which ends on June 23, Ndlovu will also look into additional business prospects that could lower unemployment and strengthen Mpumalanga’s economy.
