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The 14 SADC Summit was held on 29 August 1994 in Botswana, hosted and chaired by 1994-95
th
President Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire. The Organisation of African Unity and the
UN Economic Commission for Africa were specially invited to the Summit for the first
time, as observers, represented by the OAU Secretary-General, Dr Salim
Ahmed Salim, and the Executive Secretary of UNECA, Mr Layashi Yaker.
South Africa joins SADC
South Africa joined SADC as the 11th Member State in April 1994 and
attended Summit for the first time in August. A statement marking accession
to the SADC Treaty was delivered by His Honour Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki,
Executive Deputy President. This marked a major milestone for regional
integration, after a long process in which the SADC region was at the centre
of a global campaign to end apartheid.

Peace and Stability in Lesotho
The Summit expressed concern at the recurrence of instability in Lesotho Executive Deputy President of South Africa Thabo Mvuyelwa
involving the army and police resulting in the kidnapping of several Cabinet Mbeki (left) is congratulated by the SADC Chairperson, President
Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire of Botswana (right).
Ministers and the assassination of the Deputy Prime Minister, Selometsi
Baholo in April 1994. Summit commended the Frontline States for their personal
contributions to efforts to bring peace and stability to Lesotho, particularly Presidents
Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Toward Peace in Mozambique and Angola 35
The Summit expressed satisfaction with progress in implementation of the Rome Peace
Accord in Mozambique, with preparations for multiparty elections in October; progress
to demobilise, integrate and train a new national army; and activities to rehabilitate
and reconstruct infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals. Member States
urged the international community to fully support the demobilisation and integration,
and provide material support to resettle returning refugees and internally displaced
persons. With regard to Angola, Summit noted the significant breakthrough in the
Lusaka negotiations toward a Government of National Unity, and the mandate of UN
peacekeeping forces, regretting that the war had intensified, thus delaying rehabilitation
of the economy.

Sector on Politics, Diplomacy, International Relations, Defence and Security
Summit approved the establishment of a Sector on Politics, Diplomacy, International
Relations, Defence and Security. This was the precursor to the Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security established in 1996.

First Regional State of Environment Report
The first regional report on the State of the Environment in Southern Africa was published by
SADC in 1994, through Communicating the Environment Programme, a partnership with
IUCN-The World Conservation Union and the Southern African Research and
Documentation Centre (SARDC). The award-winning report, with a Foreword by the
SADC Chairperson, President Sir Quett Ketumile Joni Masire, was cited as “an important
and timely state-of-the-art report in an area of crucial significance for the wellbeing of the
continent...presenting issues in a way that challenges decision-makers to act.”

SADC Day
The 1994 Summit declared 17 August as SADC Day, to be commemorated annually with
popular activities and cultural/sporting events in Member States.