President Mnangagwa hands over SADC Chair: Regional block applauds Zim’s leadership

Wallace Ruzvidzo in ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar

SADC has given outgoing Chairperson President Mnangagwa ringing praise for driving the regional bloc’s peace and industrialisation efforts, albeit in a year marred by global uncertainties.

In his remarks at the opening session of the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, the regional bloc’s Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, said President Mnangagwa had demonstrated servant leadership in the discharge of his duties as chairman.

How the President led during his tenure, added the Executive Secretary, should be emulated by the new Chairperson, Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina.

“I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude and commendations to the Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for his tireless efforts and visionary leadership over the past year.

“The 44th SADC Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, marked a significant step in advancing the region’s industrialisation agenda, underscoring the pivotal role of innovation as a catalyst for global transformation, with strong emphasis on harnessing its potential to drive key sectors such as manufacturing, mineral refineries and agro-processing,” he said.

Mr Magosi then outlined some of the major highlights of President Mnangagwa’s tenure, which included the historic joint SADC-EAC Summit held towards finding lasting peace in the Eastern DRC and the inaugural SADC

Transfrontier Conservation Areas Summit.
“One of the highlights of Zimbabwe’s tenure was the convening of the first-ever SADC Summit on Transfrontier Conservation Areas, which was held in May this year,” he said.

“During the TFCA Summit, our region commemorated 25 years of TFCAs and expressed its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.

“The TFCA Summit was and will remain the manifestation of high-level political commitment to galvanise regional efforts towards promoting regional integration, enhancing biodiversity and fostering sustainable development.”
SADC, said Mr Magosi, was looking forward to President Mnangagwa’s continued leadership in the regional body, while imploring incoming Chairperson Andry Rajoelina to build on the progress made by his predecessor.

“As His Excellency Dr ED Mnangagwa hands over the Chairmanship to the President of Madagascar, we look forward to his continued leadership, guidance and indeed counsel as a member of the SADC.

“To the incoming Chairperson of SADC, Your Excellency Andry Rajoelina, we look forward to working collaboratively with you, building on the progress made under His Excellency Dr Mnangagwa’s stewardship.

“We are certain that under your stewardship, our region will stay the course and continue to advance towards a future of resilience, self-reliance, prosperity, unity and accountability,” he said.

Mr Magosi said the annual handover of the SADC Chairpersonship was a symbolic transition that reflected the bloc’s enduring commitment to regional development, cooperation and shared responsibility.

“The handover of the SADC Chairmanship is part of a long-standing tradition symbolising the continuity of shared commitment to regional development,” he said.

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