Thembisile C Majola Embalo, the South African ambassador  to The Gambia, based in Dakar, Senegal, has said that there are a lot of things that bring these two sister republics together, apart from the colonial heritage.

Ambassador Embalo made this remark recently, during an interview with reporters, shortly after the signing of the bilateral air services agreement between officials of the two countries, at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

According to her, there is much more we share in common that we are not aware of. She stressed that "we will not be able to exploit the importance of these similarities until we have a better interaction between our peoples."

She noted that with the signing of this new air services agreement, many South Africans would be interested in the tourist industry of The Gambia, adding that The Gambia has a very rich natural resources base, citing the vast fishing waters. "Another area that will be of interest to many South Africans are infrastructural development, ICT’s, road network, among others.

"This would further create a better interaction between our peoples. As soon as we signed the air service agreement it came into effect, and you also observed at the signing ceremony that we did not only have government officials but air line operators as well," she said.

This, she went on, will facilitate further negotiations with other airline operators in both South Africa and The Gambia for effective operation.

"We have created the condition and policy framework like guaranty and security, which is expected of our governments. So it is now left to them now(the operators), as to how to exploit the benefit."

She further assured her government’s continued support in whenever necessary, noting that they would speak to the airline operators in South Africa and make them aware of the possibilities and opportunities that exist in The Gambia.