By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa is in Durban, South Africa, where he has joined other regional leaders for the 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government, as the bloc seeks to accelerate regional integration, industrialisation and sustainable development.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to officially assume the SADC chairmanship after serving in an interim capacity following political upheavals in Madagascar.
The gathering brings together leaders from the 16-member regional bloc to deliberate on key issues affecting Southern Africa, including economic transformation, infrastructure development, food security, industrial growth and the sustainable utilisation of the region’s natural resources.
This year’s summit is being held under the theme, “Resilient, Sustainable, and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.”
The theme reflects SADC’s growing focus on using the region’s vast mineral resources, agricultural potential and infrastructure networks to promote economic growth, value addition and improved livelihoods for citizens.
President Mnangagwa’s participation comes as Zimbabwe continues to push for greater regional cooperation and economic integration through initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, investment and industrial development among SADC member states.
The summit also coincides with the anniversary of the historic transformation of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) into the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which took place on 17 August 1992 in Windhoek, Namibia.
SADCC was established in 1980 by Southern African countries as a platform to reduce economic dependence on apartheid South Africa and promote regional cooperation.
Its transformation into SADC expanded the organisation’s mandate from coordination of development efforts to deeper economic integration and collective development among member states.
Over the years, SADC has played a key role in promoting peace, security and economic cooperation in the region, while addressing common challenges such as climate change, energy shortages, food insecurity and infrastructure gaps.
The Durban summit is expected to provide an opportunity for regional leaders to assess progress made in implementing SADC programmes and chart a renewed path towards achieving a more integrated, resilient and prosperous Southern Africa.
New Ziana
