‘Zim committed to Sadc prosperity’

Wallace Ruzvidzo in ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar

AS Zimbabwe’s tenure as Chair of Sadc comes to an end, the country’s commitment to the development and prosperity of the region remains steadfast and deep, outgoing chair of the bloc’s Council of Ministers Professor Amon Murwira has said.

In his address at the opening session of the Sadc Council of Ministers here yesterday, Prof Murwira assured the gathering of Zimbabwe’s commitment to playing its part in the improvement of livelihoods in the region beyond its Chairmanship.

“Together we can build the Sadc we want, but it’s built by its own people.

“Development can never be delegated; it is experienced and undertaken . . . sometimes we (SADC) feel weak, but we are not weak, it’s just a feeling; we are strong.

“We want a SADC that will transform the lives and livelihoods of our people.

“After 500 years of trying to prove that we are humans, we cannot drop the ball at any moment now, we want our people to enjoy peace and security, have access to food, shelter, communication, infrastructure, health, among others,” he said.

SADC, said Prof Murwira, was on a sacred mission of economic liberation and prosperity, hence all hands should be put on deck.

“It’s not a tomorrow game, it is a long journey.

“We will put our brick and others will put their bricks too. Our job is never to remove any brick, but to put that brick,” he said.

Towards this end, the outgoing Chair of the Council of Ministers said regional integration was of paramount importance.

Gatherings such as these, added Prof Murwira, should see member states putting much emphasis on how full integration can be achieved.

“That is the reason for SADC, that is our agenda. For whatever we say, we must always remember, is this about regional integration or disintegration?

“As soon as the spirit of disintegration comes into your head, think about it and pray.

“We should not be constrained and inhibited in our integration by the colonial boundaries; let us remove any barriers amongst ourselves as we pursue regional integration for the prosperity and dignity of our people,” he said.

Prof Murwira said SADC was not a club, but “a unit formed from blood and sweat, and hopes for the future of a liberated Africa”, as he urged member states to allow free movement of citizens.

Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Seychelles are among the countries in the region that have granted visa exemptions, thus allowing the free movement of people in the region.

Following his remarks, Professor Murwira handed over the Chairmanship of the Council of Ministers to his Madagascan counterpart Dr Rafaravavitafika Rasata, who expressed her country’s readiness to lead the Council during its tenure.

“SADC is an essential pillar of regional cooperation and solidarity, on which we can rely to jointly address our challenges and seize the opportunities before us,” she said in her acceptance speech.

Dr Rasata said during her occupancy as Chair of the Council, she would place emphasis on the inclusion and advancement of island states within the regional agenda.