Belarus and South Africa need to intensify relations, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalya Kochanova said as she met with Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Refilwe Maria Mtshweni-Tsipane in Minsk on 27 January. Following the meeting, the parties signed a memorandum of cooperation between the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and the National Council of Provinces of the Republic of South Africa.