Accepting the position on August 17, Ramaphosa said South Africa accepted the role “with great humility and a deep sense of responsibility” and committed to working closely with all member states.
Ramaphosa said SA remained indebted to SADC and its predecessor, the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference, for supporting the country’s struggle for 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,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said the country’s participation in SADC was rooted in that history and driven by a shared belief that regional progress could only be achieved through collective action. “It is sustained by an abiding conviction that progress in our region will be secured only through unity, cooperation and solidarity,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa thanked Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the outgoing SADC Chair, for leadership during the past year, and acknowledged the work of the SADC Secretariat under Executive Secretary Elias Magosi. “We pledge to work closely with every Member State, guided by the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and consensus building,” Ramaphosa said.
During SA’s tenure, Ramaphosa said the country would build on the work of previous SADC leaders and continue efforts to realise the bloc’s Vision 2050 and implement the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan.
Ramaphosa identified economic integration as a key priority, saying member states would pursue stronger trade and investment links to support industrialisation across the region. “We will seek greater integration of our economies, building ties of trade and investment that drive resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation,” Ramaphosa said.
Peace and security would also remain central to the regional agenda, according to Ramaphosa, who said stability was essential for development and improved living conditions. “Working together with all Member States, we will promote peace, security and stability in our region, which are essential conditions for the well-being and development of our people,” Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa said SA was committed to ensuring its leadership of the regional bloc reflected the sacrifices made by nations and liberation movements across southern Africa in the fight for freedom. “As the Government and the people of SA, 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,” Ramaphosa said.
–ChannelAfrica–
