Media practitioners in the Southern African Development Communication (SADC) region have been called upon to harness the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging digital technologies to advance SADC regional integration and development.
The call was made on 24 June 2025 by the Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services of the Republic of Zimbabwe Mr. Nick Mangwana, during the opening of the 30th meeting of the Regional Adjudication Committee (RAC) for the SADC Media Awards.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised the critical role of the media in the current era of rapid technological change and global challenges. He highlighted that RAC meetings attest to SADC's commitment to promoting journalistic work and urged, the media to continue standing as a beacon of truth and a bridge between diverse cultures.
He called for collaborative efforts to build a resilient media ecosystem that can withstand the challenges of fake news and disinformation. Meeting was officially opened by who underscored the need for the media's dedication to truthfulness, fairness, independence, and accountability to foster a sense of regional identity and purpose.
On her part, the Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, Ms. Barbara Lopi, reiterated the importance of the SADC Media Awards in elevating awareness and visibility of SADC’s role in fostering sustainable development, peace and economic growth.
The Head of Communication and Public Relations added that the media plays a pivotal role in creating awareness and enhancing the visibility of SADC, serving as a powerful platform for communicating the region’s achievements, challenges, and shared aspirations. She, therefore, commended journalists who submitted their work for consideration, and extended appreciation to the broader community of media professionals who continue to amplify regional integration stories, fostering a well-informed, engaged SADC citizenry.
She encouraged the SADC National Media Coordinators and members of RAC to continue to enhance the promotion of the SADC Media Awards at the national level.
In her Vote of Thanks, Ms. Olivia Rakotonirina, Director of Communication in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SADC Media Coordinator for the Republic of Madagascar, the Incoming Chair of SADC, expressed gratitude to the adjudicators for demonstrating fairness, diligence, integrity and high level of professionalism in selecting winners of the 2025 SADC Media Awards. She pledged Madagascar’s commitment to working closely with all Member States to ensure that ‘the voices of the peoples of the SADC region continue to shine through bold, responsible, and impactful journalism’.
Ms. Rakotonirina extended invitation to all the Member States to the 31st RAC meeting which will be hosted and chaired by the Republic of Madagascar in June 2026.
The 30th RAC meeting was chaired by Ms. Oleen Ndori and this year a total of 29 entries, comprising entries in Photo, Print, Radio and Television categories were presented to the Regional Adjudication Committee meeting after having been adjudicated and selected by Member States level by the National Adjudication Committees.
The winners of the 2025 SADC Media Awards will be officially announced during the 45th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government, to be held in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar, on 17 August 2025. Award recipients will receive Certificates and cash prizes of US$2,500 for first-place winners and US$1,000 for runners-up.
The 2026 SADC Media Awards will be officially announced in October 2025 and journalists from the SADC region are encouraged to submit their entries through the SADC National Media Coordinators in their respective countries. The SADC Media Awards were created in 1996 following the approval of the SADC Council of Ministers in 1995, to recognise outstanding reporting on SADC’s regional cooperation, integration, and community-building agenda.
