South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his country's readiness to continue promoting SADC initiatives aimed at fostering regional integration.

In his address at the launch of the Senqu Bridge, linking South Africa and Lesotho, Ramaphosa said the bridge will improve travel between the two neighbours, making transport easier and cheaper for communities, businesses, and visitors.

According to Ramaphosa, promotion of regional initiatives is a powerful driver of regional integration, economic growth, and cultural exchange.

In the spirit of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity, Ramaphosa said championing regionalism will go a long way in deepening the people-to-people links within the SADC region.

"As the current interim Chair of SADC and Chair later this year, South Africa will continue to promote and champion regional initiatives to accelerate trade, investment and integration and to deepen people-to-people links."

Ramaphosa was elected as the interim chairperson during a regional bloc's virtual extraordinary summit of Heads of State and Government held last November after Madagascar relinquished its role due to political developments that affected its capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of the position.