South Africa has stepped into the leadership of Southern Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) from Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the 46th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government in eThekwini on Monday, pledging to use the country’s tenure to deepen regional economic integration and drive resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation.
The handover marked the beginning of South Africa’s leadership of the 16-member regional bloc, a role President Ramaphosa said the country assumed “with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility”.
A leadership rooted in gratitude
The President reminded the summit that South Africa’s place in SADC is anchored in the region’s support for the country’s own journey to democracy.
“As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to the members of SADC and its predecessor, the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference, for their contribution to the achievement of democracy in our country. Our participation in SADC is founded on this history,” he said.
That history, he added, sustains “an abiding conviction that progress in our region will be secured only through unity, cooperation and solidarity”.
Trade, investment and shared growth
Setting out South Africa’s priorities, President Ramaphosa pledged to work closely with all member states on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and consensus building, while taking forward the bloc’s Vision 2050 and the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.
“We will seek greater integration of our economies, building ties of trade and investment that drive resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation,” he said.
The commitment comes as SADC works to unlock the potential of a regional market of more than 400 million people by strengthening trade and investment links, industrial capacity and cross-border cooperation. South Africa also committed to promoting peace, security and stability, which the President described as essential conditions for the wellbeing and development of the region’s people.
Carrying a legacy forward
President Ramaphosa thanked outgoing chairperson President Mnangagwa for his leadership, and the SADC Secretariat under Executive Secretary Elias Magosi for supporting the community’s work. He said South Africa would ensure continuity while advancing the region’s long-term development priorities, guided by the same spirit of solidarity that brought Southern Africa together during the liberation struggle.
“As the Government and the people of South Africa, we are determined that through our Chairship and through our continued participation in SADC, we will be worthy of the struggles that were fought by the members of this Community for the achievement of our freedom,” he said.
For the year ahead, the regional spotlight shines on South Africa, and Mzansi is ready to lead.
The story was first reported by SAnews.gov.za.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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