President Robert Gabriel Mugabe visits SADC Secretariat

SADC Chairperson, H.E President Robert Gabriel Mugabe of the Republic of Zimbabwe visited the SADC Secretariat from May 19 to 20, 2015 during which time he had meetings with SADC Secretariat Management team, all SADC staff as well as briefed the media on the outcome of his visit. He also paid a courtesy call on Incoming SADC Chairperson, H.E. President Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama of the Republic of Botswana

The SADC Chairperson’s visit to the Headquarters has become a standard tour of duty affording the Chairperson the chance to engage with Secretariat Management and staff. It also affords the Chairperson an opportunity to interact with SADC staff, while affording them a chance to bring to the attention of the Chairperson, issues that are critical to the SADC regional integration and development agenda.

During this visit, the Chairperson of SADC received updates on how the Secretariat is implementing the SADC agenda and on strategic initiatives being undertaken. These included progress made with the front loading of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map, following its approval by the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Harare on April 29, 2015 which Zimbabwe as Chair of SADC had championed.

Addressing the staff, President Mugabe said his visit to the Secretariat came at an historic moment when “…SADC has decided to realign its strategic direction, to ensure that we effectively respond to the changing needs of our Region”.

He commended the SADC Secretariat Management and staff, underscoring the need to inculcate the principles of good governance and transparency in managing the affairs of the institution. He also commended the progress made so far in this regard, and urged the Secretariat to ensure that the region’s strategic focus and the Secretariat structure are re-aligned to the new strategic framework and the region’s strategic goals as approved by Summit.

“ The diligence and dedication demonstrated by your team, thus  far leaves no doubt in me, as well as other Heads of State and Government, that our interests are well taken care of. Let me, in that regard, applaud you and your entire staff, for the manner in which you have handled SADC affairs over the course of my term as Chair” President Mugabe said.

He also promised that the Head of States and Government will always endeavour to ensure that the needs of the staff are well-taken care of “within the limits of available resources” and encouraged SADC Secretariat to stick to the rules and regulations as required.

H.E. Mugabe also planted a tree at the SADC Headquarters, which was seen as a living gift to SADC planted under the theme: “TREES FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.” 

The visit took place in a cordial and jovial manner and was much appreciated by the SADC Secretariat and members of the media who came in their numbers to cover it.