Staff Reporter
President of Zimbabwe and current Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, along with President Duma Gideon Boko of Botswana, will undertake a working visit to the SADC Secretariat Headquarters in Gaborone on December 13, 2024.
As part of his tenure, President Mnangagwa will be appraised on the progress of SADC programs and the implementation of decisions made during the 44th SADC Summit held in Harare, Zimbabwe, in August 2024. The theme of the summit, “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC,” will be a key focus during the visit.
"As is customary, Chairpersons of SADC visit the SADC Secretariat Headquarters during their tenure to appreciate the work done by the Secretariat in facilitating the SADC regional integration agenda and to provide guidance on the Secretariat’s implementation of SADC programs," the SADC Secretariat said in a statement.
One of the highlights of the visit will be the handover of the SADC Secretariat Headquarters building, which will be officially transferred from Bongwe Investments Proprietary Limited to SADC Heads of State and Government. The building, which was developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement involving SADC, Bongwe Investments, and the Government of Botswana, represents a significant milestone in the region’s infrastructure development.
"The handover of the SADC Secretariat Headquarters is an important step in strengthening the organization’s operational capacity," noted the statement.
During the visit, the two presidents will also perform a groundbreaking ceremony for the SADC Standby Force Regional Logistics Depot (RLD) in Rasesa village, located 40 kilometres from Gaborone. This depot will serve as a critical storage facility for materials, equipment, and supplies needed by the SADC Standby Force during peace support and humanitarian missions across the region.
"The construction of the Regional Logistics Depot is a vital step in ensuring the preparedness and effectiveness of the SADC Standby Force," said President Mnangagwa.
The SADC Chairperson, who assumed the role on August 17, 2024, during the 44th SADC Summit, holds the highest governance position within the organization. As Chairperson, President Mnangagwa provides overall policy direction and ensures the effective functioning of SADC’s activities.
The visit underscores the region’s commitment to deepening integration, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring peace and security within the Southern African Development Community.
