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Ranga Mataire, Zimpapers Politics Hub
FOR a country that has been under economic sanctions for years, Zimbabwe’s impressive hosting of the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit was a clear test case of the country’s potential all things being equal.
Everything about the summit was remarkable. From the Industrialisation Week to the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and the actual Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government, Zimbabwe showed the region and beyond its inimitable hospitality and its capacity in playing host to such an important indaba.
The enthusiasm from the private sector as shown by the record attendance at the Industrialisation Week and the general interest from Zimbabweans of all ages testified the fact that this was indeed a people’s summit.
SADC is about the people. It is the people that are at the centre of the regional body as it strives to enhance economic integration and growth.
Media Awareness Day
Working with the SADC Secretariat, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services was on top of its game as it timeously disseminated information to the public about the summit and other relevant matters.
SADC Secretariat in partnership with the Government, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) and the SADC Business Council organised a Media Awareness Day that kicked off the 7th Industrialisation Week (SIW) on the 28th of July 2024.
The Media Awareness Day was convened to inform journalists and media personnel about the objective and achievements of the industrialisation process within the SADC region.
The event served to highlight the rile of industrialisation in economic growth and development as well as foster greater media engagement and coverage of critical issues emanating from the SIW.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere underscored the objectives of SIW in fostering intra-African trade, develop cross-border value chains, and identify investment opportunities in the SADC region through public-private partnerships.
He highlighted that Industrialisation Week was meant to showcase investment opportunities across various value chains and facilitate networking among stakeholders in the industrial sector.
The Industrialisation Week itself lived up to its billing featuring discussions, exhibitions and presentations focusing on industrial growth, innovation, and the integration of advanced technologies in the region.
It was an opportunity for SADC Member States to showcase their progress and plans in industrial development agenda for the region.
SADC Tourism Night
The hosting of the 44th SADC Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government presented an opportunity for Zimbabwe to showcase its cultural heritage, national dress, cuisine and music.
Kudos to the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality for hosting the SADC Tourism Night, which held in style at the Heritage Cultural Village, Museum of African Liberation in Harare.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including SADC ministers and senior officials, ambassadors accredited to Zimbabwe and local Cabinet Ministers.
Led by Tourism Minister Barbara Rwodzi, the delegation of Ministers included Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Frederick Shava, Higher and Tertiary Education – Prof Amos Murwira, Women Affairs – Monica Mutsvangwa, Youth Empowerment – Tino Machakaire and Deputy Minister of Tourism Tongai Mnangagwa.
Dignitaries were treated to music from Zimdancehall sensation Killer, Andy Muridzo and Afro-Jazz diva Diana Samkange.
It was indeed a night to remember as delegates indulged in communal drum beating symbolising unity and heralding the start of a new era as Zimbabwe assumed the SADC chair.
Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
Several meetings preceded the actual Heads of State and Government Summit with the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation being held a day before the summit. The Organ is one of the structures of SADC whose overall objective is to promote peace and security in the region in line with Article 2 of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia addressed the meeting virtually from Lusaka. President Hichilema assumed the chairmanship of the SADC-Organ Troika in August 2023 and handed over to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
In his remarks as outgoing chair, President Hichilema expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe for the warm reception and gracious hospitality to the Heads of State and Government and the Zambian delegation.
The Organ is the backbone of SADC, as it seeks to promote peace, security and political stability, without which socio-economic development would not be realised in our region.
“As the Executive Secretary (Elias Magosi) said, elections can be emotional but we are very pleased that the elections that happened during our time or the year that passed, were reasonably peaceful and delivered leaderships that SADC can be proud of as a bloc,” President Hichilema said.
The Tonic
The tonic of the Summit was the inauguration of President Mnangagwa as the Chair of SADC, when the outgoing chair, President Joao Lourenco of Angola presented the SADC chairman badge (pin and gavel) to the new chairperson.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude to the regional grouping for standing with Zimbabwe during the over two decades of Western sanctions on the country, noting that many countries in the region resisted undue pressure from some Western countries to isolate and ostracise the country.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to personally thank you all for the many years of your unwavering solidarity, support, and unbreakable fraternal relations with the Republic and the people of Zimbabwe.
“This has been against the continued heinous sanctions imposed on our motherland, Zimbabwe, by some Western countries,” President Mnangagwa said.
In 2019, SADC designated October 25 as Anti-Sanctions Day, a day in which member countries carry out various activities show solidarity with Zimbabwe in calling for unconditional lifting of the sanctions.
President Mnangagwa reinforced his call for his locally inspired philosophy that puts the locals at the centre of any development initiative saying, a country and region must be developed, ruled and prayed for by its own people.
President Mnangagwa said the region must continue to jealously guard and defend its sovereignty and the right to economic self-determination, noting that under his stewardship of SADC, he will vigorously implement regional projects and programmes that advance regional development.
As the curtain came down on the Summit, one could only marvel at Zimbabwe’s organisational capacity and laying out the pertinent issues for regional development.
Four issues stood out, the need to maintain regional peace and security, the need for innovation to spur industrialisation, the need to ensure food security and the need to rally local financial resources to ensure that the regional body effectively executes its mandate.
The majestic New Parliament Building, the venue for the summit clearly announced to the region and beyond that after years of maligning by those against the country’s revolutionary policies, Zimbabwe was once again on the ascendency and is ready to take its rightful place in the community of nations.
Online Reporter