Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Longnan Municipality in China, signalling a new era of cooperation and development between the two regions.

Premier Ndlovu is currently leading a high-level delegation, which includes the MEC for Agriculture, Ms Nompumelelo Hlophe; the Director-General, Ms Maggie Skhosana; the Head of the Department of Agriculture, Mr Cain Chunda; and other senior government officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Treasury.

The MOU with Longnan Municipality focuses on key strategic areas, including industrial collaboration, agricultural cooperation, infrastructure development, cultural and tourism exchange, and skills development. It aims to foster mutual growth and knowledge sharing while strengthening the economic ties between Mpumalanga and Longnan.

This partnership aligns with the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit and builds on bilateral engagements between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China, held in Beijing in September.

A major element of the agreement centres on expanding bilateral trade and facilitating greater market access, particularly for South African agricultural products entering the Chinese market. The agreement also addresses the reduction of non-tariff barriers and promotes collaboration in agro-processing and logistics.

“As Mpumalanga, we are responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s vision through this MOU. We have committed to implementing action plans and interventions aimed at accelerating trade between Mpumalanga and Longnan,” said Premier Ndlovu.

He further highlighted that the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market would play a crucial role in realising the benefits of the agreement. “This initiative will significantly benefit our farmers, especially those from previously disadvantaged communities,” he added.

The delegation will also explore other economic initiatives that could bolster the provincial economy and contribute to reducing unemployment in Mpumalanga.

Executive Vice Mayor of Longnan City, Mr Li Rong, expressed optimism about the new partnership, describing the MOU as a foundation for deeper and more substantial bilateral cooperation.

“Longnan will henceforth be your home in China,” said Mr Rong. “The relationship between China and South Africa is not merely a win-win partnership, but one that leverages complementary strengths to create shared value. We hope this marks the beginning of a ‘family-plus-partner’ relationship between our two sides.”

The MOU is expected to unlock significant opportunities for Mpumalanga in sectors such as agriculture, trade, tourism and infrastructure, while fostering long-term collaboration rooted in mutual respect and shared prosperity.