Harare, (New Ziana) -Chegutu East legislator Webster Shamu on Thursday commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for distinguished leadership of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during his tenure as its chairman.
President Emerson Mnangagwa led the regional bloc for one year from August last year until he handed over to Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina at the weekend. Rising on a point of national interest, Shamu said President Mnangagwa led the regional bloc to greater heights during his tenure as chairman.
“I rise today with great pride to salute a historic chapter in the journey of our nation and region, the Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) by His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” he said.
“His leadership of the 44th SADC Summit, beginning in August 2024, provided the political anchor and vision that propelled Southern Africa forward with renewed momentum. There are moments and achievements that go beyond political party persuasion, they speak to us as Zimbabweans, united in pride and purpose. This Chairmanship is one such moment. President Mnangagwa’s tenure was about action, not words,” he added.
Shamu said under his guidance, Zimbabwe delivered transformative projects, the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway breathing life into the North–South Corridor, the Trabablas Interchange easing regional traffic, the modernised VIP Pavilion at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as well as the commissioning of Hwange Units 7 and 8, which added vital energy to the national grid and to the wider region.
He credited President Mnangagwa for driving the SADC industrialisation. “Through Education 5.0, Zimbabwe inspired hubs of invention and agro-industrial parks, which became a model for others. In agriculture, Pfumvudza/Intwasa was celebrated as a climate-smart farming model that strengthened food self sufficiency,” he said.
Shamu, who is also the chair of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, credited President Mnangagwa for presiding over the launch of the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot, supporting election observation in the DRC and Madagascar as well as championing stability and democracy.
“For the environment, Zimbabwe hosted the first SADC Summit on Transfrontier Conservation Areas, a bold initiative linking conservation, tourism and livelihoods. The transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into our long-awaited Regional Parliament is now within reach. History is being written and Zimbabwe stands at its centre,” he said.
He said under the chairmanship of President Mnangagwa, SADC consolidated connectivity and infrastructure, industrial and agricultural transformation, peace, democracy and environmental stewardship, as well as continental and global visibility.
“This proves that Zimbabwe does not simply occupy a seat in SADC, Zimbabwe leads, Zimbabwe inspires and Zimbabwe delivers. Let us then commend His Excellency, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for his distinguished tenure and may the foundations he laid continue to guide our region towards unity, peace and shared prosperity,” said Shamu.
New Ziana
