SANF 17 no 34 – by Kizito Sikuka in Pretoria, South Africa
The region should redouble its efforts and ensure that the benefits of belonging to a shared community of southern Africa are enjoyed and reach the lives of all citizens.
This was said by the incoming chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on 15 August in Pretoria, South Africa ahead of the 37th SADC Summit.
Nkoana-Mashabane, who is the South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister, said SADC belongs to its citizens, hence it is critical for regional integration to benefit the people.
“As regional leaders, we carry a burden of responsibility to substantially improve the quality of life for the people of our region and to realise sustainable economic development,” she said.
“To this end, we cannot be found to be wanting or to have failed. As such, we must commit appropriate resources and make a concerted effort to cooperatively work together towards the SADC We Want.”
She said member states must continue to “support the SADC Secretariat to deliver on its annual work programme as well as strengthen the Secretariat’s institutional capacity and effectiveness.”
Based in Gaborone, Botswana, the Secretariat is the principal executive institution of SADC, responsible for strategic planning, facilitation and coordination and management of all SADC programmes, activities and projects.
In this regard, a well-resourced Secretariat would ensure that various regional programmes such as the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, and the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) are fully implemented for the benefit of the region.
Nkoana-Mashabane said during its tenure as chair of SADC, South Africa will push forward the integration agenda, and will always “remain collectively seized with the responsibility of improving lives of our people.”
“Guided by our identified priorities as well as the leadership demonstrated by previous chairs, South Africa’s theme for the chairperson of SADC and the 37th SADC Summit is Partnering with the Private Sector in Developing Industry and Regional Value Chains,” she said.
“The theme picks up on the already identified importance of industrialisation for the prosperity of the region and seeks to strengthen the region’s capacity to realise industrialisation and economic transformation through partnership with the private sector.”
She said during the chair of South Africa focus will be on agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and pharmaceutical value chains.
Outgoing chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Prince Hlangusemphi Dlamini of the Kingdom of Swaziland said regional integration should aim to make a positive change on the lives of SADC citizens.
“It is clear that we should all remain resolute to eradication of poverty to improve the welfare of the people of the region,” said Dlamini, who is Economic Planning and Development Minister of Swaziland.
He called on member states to continue working together in implementing regional programmes.
SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax paid tribute to the good leadership exhibited by Swaziland during its tenure as SADC chair.
Major highlights of achievements during the past year include the adoption of the Costed Action Plan of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, the profiling of the mineral and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as the approval of the Regional Agricultural Investment Plan 2017-2022.
The SADC Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of the SADC, and ensures that policies are properly implemented.
It comprises ministers from each member state, usually those responsible for Foreign Affairs, Economic Planning, or Finance, and meets twice a year in January/February and immediately prior to the Summit in August/September to set the agenda for regional leaders.
The 37th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit is scheduled for 19-20 August.
At the summit, South African President Jacob Zuma will assume the rotating SADC chair from King Mswati III of Swaziland.
Prior to the SADC Summit, there will be a Double Troika meeting on 18 August to discuss the general political situation in the region. sardc.net
