Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve-Victoria Falls Bureau
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa is today expected to officially open the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) in Victoria Falls, marking a historic moment in regional legislative collaboration and innovation.
The week-long forum is being held under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation in Enhancing Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Opportunities and Challenges.”
The theme underlines the Forum’s commitment to embracing digital transformation to strengthen legislative efficiency, promote institutional transparency and bolster civic engagement across the region.
Key delegates from across the SADC region arrived yesterday ahead of the high-level event.
Among those received was SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Dr Judith Kateera, welcomed by Deputy President of the Senate, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Mike Nyambuya.
Other distinguished guests include, Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar and current President of SADC PF, Justin Tokely, as well as Speakers and Deputy Speakers from Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.
The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Chief Fortune Charumbira is also expected to deliver a solidarity address.
Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, who is already in Victoria Falls, said the forum is being convened in terms of Article 10(2) of the SADC PF Constitution, which mandates at least two plenary sessions per calendar year, and Rule 6(2) of its Rules of Procedure, which empowers the assembly to comprehensively deliberate on reports from Standing Committees.
“This 57th Plenary Assembly reaffirms its role as the principal policy-making and deliberative body of the Forum, tasked with charting the legislative aspirations of the SADC Region,” said Adv Mudenda.
He said the programme begins with today’s official opening, which will be followed by a high-level symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Legislative Innovation, featuring academics, policymakers and ICT experts.
“The official opening will be graced by President Mnangagwa of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of SADC. His presence confers unmatched gravitas to the proceedings, symbolising Zimbabwe’s unwavering commitment to regional integration, digital innovation and transformative parliamentary processes,” said Adv Mudenda.
President Mnangagwa is expected to deliver a keynote address that will set the tone for deliberations throughout the assembly.
Core discussions will centre on Standing Committee Reports and Country Reports, tracking the implementation of past resolutions. Delegates will also deliberate on the proposed SADC Model Law on Prison Oversight, which seeks to enhance oversight of detention systems and promote the protection of human dignity.
This 57th session builds on past engagements, including the 56th Plenary Assembly held in Livingstone, Zambia, in December last year; the Standing Committees sessions held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in April; and the Inaugural Executive Committee Orientation in Windhoek, Namibia, from April 28 to 1 May.
Victoria Falls becomes the latest host of this rotating platform for dialogue and regional legislative integration, as the Forum continues to elevate the SADC legislative agenda through collective action.
