President Jacob Zuma has a year to successfully carry out the mandate South Africa has been tasked with as the chair of the Southern Africa Development Community by its 15-member states.
This includes promoting, implementing and driving SADC’s Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, aimed at accelerating economic growth and development in countries such as Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.
But while South Africa may have held a successful gathering of heads of state over the past 12 days, it remains to be seen if its relations with neighbouring Zimbabwe will be solidified going forward.
The 37th Ordinary SADC Summit hosted by the Department of International Relations in Pretoria was almost overshadowed by the assault case of Zimbabwe’s First Lady Grace Mugabe and the controversy around aircrafts being grounded in Zimbabwe and in South Africa.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the summit yesterday, Zuma said the gathering of the SADC region, which comprises 15 heads of state, took place during a period in which the region was united.
“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our (SADC) community, it is important to acknowledge that as a region, we have performed exceedingly well over the years. Our region is undoubtedly politically stable and peaceful,” Zuma said.
He added that this was evident as member states continued to implement the organisation’s crucial programmes, which have led to regular democratic elections in members states.
And with the announcement that the Comoros Islands would be joining SADC, bringing the total member of member states to 16, Zuma said as the incoming chair of the region, South Africa would uphold harmony between the region’s governments and their citizens.
“We’ve noted with appreciation the relative political and security tranquillity in the region, with notable challenges in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the DRC.”
On Lesotho, represented by Prime Minister Tom Thabane, Zuma said the summit welcomed the commitment of the new government to implement SADC’s decisions.
And on the DRC, he announced that the heads of state had concluded that it may not be possible to hold elections there in December as planned, owing to a number of challenges in the central African country.
But he said interventions were being made.
Zuma used the ceremony to thank the presidents of Angola and Botswana, Jose dos Santos and Ian Khama, respectively, for their contributions.
Dos Santos earlier indicated he will not be standing for another term, while Khama retires from office next year.