SANF 21 no 33
Elias Mpedi Magosi has been appointed as the new SADC Executive Secretary, and is expected to lead the regional organisation toward its Vision 2050.
The Executive Secretary plays a key role in steering the Secretariat and is responsible for strategic planning, coordination and management of programmes.
Prior to his appointment by the 41st Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held in Malawi on 17-18 August, Magosi was the Head of the Botswana Public Service and Permanent Secretary to President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi.
He succeeds, the history-making and outgoing Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax from United Republic of Tanzania, who has been at the helm of the SADC Secretariat since August 2013.
Dr Tax was the first woman elected to the post of SADC Executive Secretary since establishment of the organisation, then known as the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), in 1980.
Magosi was one of two candidates, including Fautin Luanga Mukela of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The new SADC Executive Secretary took the oath of office in the presence of the Heads of State and Government, pledging to “perform my duties and exercise my powers honourably, faithfully, impartially and independently according to the best of my knowledge and ability.”
Head of the judiciary in Malawi, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, administered the oath.
Magosi will lead the regional organisation until 2025 and has an option to be extended for another four years, on approval by Summit.
The Government of Botswana said Magosi “has a wealth of experience and requisite leadership competencies gained in executive management in both the public and private sectors, as well as within international organisations.”
“Mr. Magosi possesses comprehensive understanding and knowledge about the workings of SADC, having served as the Director of Human Resources and Administration at the SADC Secretariat, from March 2017 to April 2018,” the Government of Botswana said.
Magosi, who has previously worked for Standard Chartered Bank Botswana and Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited, is a holder of a Diploma in Management Services from the University of Bolton in the United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics/Statistics from the University of Botswana.
He also has a Master Degree in Organisation Development from the Bowling Green State University in the United States of America.
In welcoming the new Executive Secretary, the SADC Chair, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi said, “We look forward to working closely with you during our tenure as SADC chair and beyond in pursuit of the collective goal of regional integration and implementation of the 2020-2030 Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan and SADC Vision 2050.”
“We wish you nothing but success as you steer the Secretariat to fulfil the region’s aspirations and ambitions in social economic spheres,” he said.
Dr Chakwera lauded Dr Tax for “the excellent way” she had led the organisation.
“We have achieved great milestones during your term including formulating and operationalisation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020 -2030 and the SADC Vision 2050, among others,” Dr Chakwera said.
Dr Tax said she had served with at least 39 Heads of State and Government who came to power in the region during her tenure.
“I am proud of what the region has achieved over the eight years under Your Excellencies stewardship. I am grateful for the wealth and experience that I have acquired over the eight years, which I will always treasure,” she said.
Among her long list of accomplishments was the development and rollout of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, and recalibration of the regional development plan, the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015-2020, the RISDP 2020-2030, and SADC Vision 2050.
Other key achievements include the launch of the SADC Emergency and Humanitarian Centre and the Hashim Mbita Project which documents the liberation history of southern Africa.
In the economic sphere, major milestones including an increase in intra-SADC trade from around 16.3 percent in 2008 to 21.6 percent in 2016, as well as the major initiatives in trade and customs, financial settlements, and infrastructure development.
New policies and strategies for disaster management, in HIV and AIDS management, gender mainstreaming, food and nutrition were also put in place during her eight-year tenure.
In the communiqué at the end of the 41st Summit, regional leaders commended Dr Tax “for having served the Organization professionally, diligently, and with high level of competence.” sardc.net
