Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
SADC will today convene an Extraordinary Virtual Meeting of Ministers responsible for Tourism to assess the developments regarding the implementation of the SADC Tourism UNIVISA.
In a communiqué yesterday, the SADC Secretariat said the agenda will also include discussions on the conclusion of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa.
The meeting will be chaired by South Africa as the current Chairperson of SADC.
“The ministers will review progress on the establishment of the SADC Tourism UNIVISA and deliberate on the winding up of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa.
“The meeting will also address outstanding matters and provide clear policy and strategic guidance to the SADC Secretariat to support effective and coordinated implementation,” said the secretariat.
SADC said today’s deliberations form part of ongoing efforts to advance regional integration in tourism and to strengthen the institutional and policy framework for the sector. The outcomes of the meeting are expected to accelerate facilitation, improve competitiveness, and enhance the contribution of tourism to regional development.
“The meeting further contributes to the achievement of objectives set out in the SADC Protocol on the Development of Tourism (1998), as revised in 2009 and 2022, and supports the implementation of the strategic goals of the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030,” said the regional bloc.
The ministers’ meeting will be preceded by a meeting of Senior Officials responsible for tourism to be held this morning, as they prepare documents for ministers to consider and make decisions.
Last year, countries including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Angola agreed to pilot the SADC Tourism UNIVISA during the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare, in an effort to boost intra-regional tourism.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the SADC Secretariat has concluded its mission to assess South Africa’s readiness to host both the SADC Council of Ministers meeting set for next month and the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled for August.
South Africa assumed the Chair of SADC following Madagascar’s withdrawal due to internal political developments.
The change in Chairmanship was formalised during an Extraordinary Virtual Summit held last November, confirming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as Chair until August.
“A delegation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, led by the Director of Human Resources and Administration, Ms Bodo Tantel Radaody Ralarosy, is in Pretoria, South Africa, from 2 to 7 February 2026 on a preparatory mission in support of the Republic of South Africa’s role as Chair of SADC.
“In his acceptance remarks, President Ramaphosa reaffirmed SADC’s commitment to advancing regional industrialisation, agricultural transformation, food security and energy transition.
“His message builds on the theme of the previous Summit hosted by Madagascar: ‘Promoting industrialisation, agricultural transformation and energy transition for a more resilient SADC,” said the Secretariat.
First, the delegation briefed the Technical Team from the SADC National Contact Point in South Africa on hosting requirements and minimum standards for the Summit, the Council of Ministers meeting and other statutory gatherings.
The team then inspected proposed venues and facilities, including hotels, meeting venues and airport infrastructure, to determine their readiness to host high‑level regional delegations.
They also held engagements with service providers and financial institutions to clarify procurement and financial procedures for working with the SADC Secretariat.
SADC said the delegation held several engagements with South African officials, including a courtesy call on the acting SADC National Contact Point for South Africa, Mr Msindo Andrew Maswanganye, Director for SADC Regional Economic Integration and Infrastructure at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
A coordination meeting was also convened, co‑chaired by the acting Chief of State Protocol and the SADC Secretariat Director of Human Resources and Administration, Mr Clayson Monyela.
“During the meeting, Mr Monyela welcomed the SADC Secretariat delegation and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to meeting all hosting standards.
“He noted that the country had recently concluded a successful G20 Meeting, adding that the experience gained would contribute significantly to preparations for the upcoming Council of Ministers’ meeting and the SADC Summit,” said the SADC Secretariat.
