His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will lead a South African delegation to the SADC Summit, to be hosted in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique, on 18 August 2012. The summit is preceded by several preparatory meetings, including the Council of Ministers.
The SADC Summit is a statutory meeting of the 15-nation regional body which convenes annually in August. The meeting considers matters from different sectors for decision and for noting. It also examines the performance of SADC institutions and reviews the overall implementation of the SADC socio-economic programmes.
At the summit, South Africa is expected to report on its Chairpersonship of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and the challenges ahead.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says SADC continues to serve as the primary vehicle for South African foreign policy to achieve regional development and integration within Southern Africa. "South Africa"s future remains inextricably linked to the future of the African continent and that of its neighbors in Southern Africa".
"SADC strives for balanced and equitable regional integration as a fundamental condition for sustainable development in the region and most importantly to free the people of the region from the scourges of unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment," says Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
In addition to South Africa, other member states of the SADC are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Madagascar is currently suspended pending the restoration of constitutional and democratic order in that country.
Enquiries:
Clayson Monyela (Spokesperson for DIRCO)
Cell: 082 884 5974
