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CHAPTER 3
SADC THE INSTITUTION
Introduction
This chapter reviews the institutional arrangements of
the SADC since inception, focusing on the governance
structure, starting with formative year and then reform.
A consolidated list of SADC Chairpersons is provided
in section 3.4, and section 3.5 presents brief profiles of
the Executive Secretaries who have served SADC since
its formation.
3.1 Institutional Arrangements in
Formative Years
The first institutions were established following the ap-
proval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on
the Institutions of the Southern African Development
Coordination Conference, signed by Heads of State and Government on 20 July 1981. 83
The initial institutional arrangements were intended to provide SADCC with an effective
and flexible mechanism for regional consultation and decision-making. These structures
have continued to be reviewed and strengthened to consolidate and deepen the integration
agenda. The 1981 Summit approved the establishment of five institutions:
❖ Summit;
❖ Council of Ministers;
❖ Commissions;
❖ Standing Committee of Officials; and
❖ Secretariat.
The 1981 Summit agreed on a decentralised system that placed responsibility for im-
plementation of programmes on Member States, rather than creating a large bureaucracy.
The arrangement saw each Member State establishing Sector Coordinating Units (SCUs)
in the respective government ministries responsible for the particular sector that the country
was assigned to coordinate.
3.1.1 Summit
The Summit is responsible for the overall policy direction and control of functions, as the
policy-making institution of SADC. It is made up of all SADC Heads of State or Gov-
ernment and is managed on a Troika system that comprises the current SADC Summit
Chairperson, the next Chairperson (the Deputy Chairperson at the time), and the im-
mediate past Chairperson. The list of Summit Chairpersons since the formation of
SADCC in 1980 is shown in section 3.4.
3.1.2 Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers oversees the functioning and development of SADC, and ensures
that policies are properly implemented. The Council consists of Ministers from each Member
State. In accordance with the SADC Treaty, the Council of Ministers is responsible for:
