Sadc carrying forth the goals of its founding members

Dr Obert Moses Mpofu

THE  Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc is a unique entity. It’s very existence is a symbol of what the former Front Line States held dear. SADC was conceived from the vision of the founding fathers of our respective nations with the goal of a prosperous region.

Such aspirations have not yet faded. We still fight towards ensuring that we achieve all our goals. Key to all we aspire to be is maintaining our liberation gains, with SADC as a conduit for the attainment of these aspirations. SADC was born out of the desire to deepen ties from the political relations that existed at the time into something with a deeper meaning and more purposeful.

From Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC), the initial bloc formed and SADC’s predecessor, the goal of advancing the cause of national political liberation within our region, as well as the yearning to rid ourselves of the dependence from our former colonisers has remained quintessential.

More than the politics of it, SADC is and has been a crucial engine for driving the region’s economic prospects as well. So much had been invested towards ensuring that the values of the founding fathers of SADC are maintained. What most may have seemingly forgotten is that SADC was a conception of the then liberation movements. It was a creation meant to ensure that the interests of our collective nations are never compromised.

Of course, it is only natural that our detractors would make every possible effort to impede our progress. True to their modus operandi, there have been attempts to infiltrate this most important bloc and divide us along political lines. Disunity is quite profitable for our detractors and we should always be on guard. We have seen the misguided opposition elements making frantic efforts to divert SADC’s attention towards a non-existent crisis.

There are those who want to gain notoriety through unscrupulous activities. Failure lies at their doorstep. It shall come to pass that those who are vindictive and harbour ill-will against their country of birth will be left behind. Progression is one of the most desirable state of being. For as long as one moves forward, even for an inch at a time, it is still desirable. As the SADC summit is now upon us, so much misinformation and disinformation was spread as part of efforts to smear our image in front of our guests.

Most of our guests are already here. In this past week, they have participated in the successful 7th SADC Industrial Week which was officially opened by President Dr Mnangagwa. This is one of the few ways in which SADC has evolved. Unlike what some of us who are misguided, SADC’s focus is not only on political issues that from time to time tend to affect the region. It’s focus is also inclined towards improving economic relations between our member states as well as creating viable economic opportunities with the goal of economic development for our entire region.

President Mnangagwa’s assumption of the SADC Chairmanship provides a unique opportunity for Zimbabwe to impart some of the hard lessons we have picked up during the past two decades under the aggressive and illegal sanctions from the West. It is safe to say that Zimbabwe’s resolve has been fortified due to the harsh illegal sanctions that we have endured. Our SADC member states are well aware of our plight hence they resolved to reserve 25 October each year as an anti-sanctions day. Such actions are testament of the uncompromising nature of our Member States as well as the unity that we share.

It is such acts that are instrumental in driving our agenda forward and ensuring that it is a success. There is no room for failure. SADC continues forging ahead with its mandate and with a renewed vigour and sense of purpose. It is the responsibility of the revolutionary parties in our region to act as the vanguard of this crucial tool that we require for driving our progress.

Going forward, it is crucial for future generations to be fully aware of the aims and goals of this organ. We need to repurpose our shared past as we work towards building a common future. Success lies at the end of this journey that we have endured together for so long.

n Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is an academic and the Secretary-General of Zanu-PF. He writes in his own capacity.