President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Gaborone, Botswana to attend the 35th Ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government, taking place from 16-18 August 2015.
The Summit takes place under the theme: "Accelerating Industrialisation of SADC Economies through Transformation of Natural Endowment and Improved Human Capital.”
President Zuma is accompanied by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas.
Deputy President Ramaphosa is the SADC Facilitator in Lesotho and is in Botswana for the meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, of which South Africa (President Zuma) is outgoing Chair. South Africa will give a report to the Summit on matters relating to the work of the Organ.
It is expected that the 35th SADC Summit will focus on, amongst other things, the implementation of the recently adopted Regional Industrialisation Strategy that was approved during the Extra-ordinary SADC Summit in April 2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Summit is also expected to review progress towards achieving the objectives outlined in the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015 – 2020.
The RISDP is the blueprint for the SADC programme of action on achieving regional economic development and will guide the implementation of SADC programmes over the next five years, with a particular focus on Industrial Development and Market Integration; Infrastructure in Support of Regional Integration; and Peace and Security Cooperation, amongst other issues.
The Minister for Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, will act as President of the Republic while the President and the Deputy President are out of the country.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
Email: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
