Harare — Small nations should not allow the interests of powerful countries to over-ride their own, a Cabinet minister has said.

Addressing the fourth session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security in Harare last Thursday, Minister of State for National Security, Sydney Sekeramayi, said the advancement of foreign interests should be rejected.

"Africa has attracted the interests of powerful states because of its vast mineral resources. It is vital that resources are ultimately used for the benefit of our people.

"Most importantly what we need are fair terms of trade and access to markets.

"It is more beneficial to exploit resources by utilising strategies such as smart partnerships in pursuing investment opportunities," he said.

Minister Sekeramayi said Africa must not rely on foreign aid chanelled through non-governmental organisations as it had a negative effect on peace and security.

"I am yet to come across any country in the world which attained the status of a 'developed country' by relying on aid from NGOs.

"I do not mean to bellittle efforts by NGOs in alleviating poverty in some communities but this, as an approach to development, has some fundamental shortcomings," he said.

He said the Sadc region should unite to overcome developmental challenges.

"We need to continue working together to ensure that our people are the ultimate beneficiaries of resource exploitation in our respective countries.

"We can not abdicate from this responsibility because if we do so, future generations will judge us harshly.

"Through the instrumentality of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, we have laid a firm foundation for co-operation in the fields of security and defence.

"Our co-operation should ultimately lead to sustainable peace and development but this quest will remain a pipe dream until we put our shoulder to the wheel and ensure the economic upliftment of our people," he said.

South African Minister of State for National Security, Siyabonga Cwele, said his country owed its democracy to the region in general and Zimbabwe in particular.