The Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, President of the Republic of Botswana, on 13 December 2024 officially received the SADC House from Bongwe Investments Proprietary Limited, a Private Party to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement which included the Government of Botswana as guarantor to the agreement and the SADC Secretariat.
The building was handed over to the two Heads of State and Government on behalf of all the SADC Heads of State and Government by Mrs. Neo Bogatsu, Board Member of the Bongwe Investment Proprietary Limited.
H.E. Dr. Mnangagwa thanked the Government of Botswana for the generous donation of the plot for the SADC Headquarters and for providing an enabling environment that facilitates the Secretariat to effectively execute its mandate. The SADC Chairperson also expressed gratitude to the Management of Bongwe Investments Proprietary Limited for the successful partnership with SADC and Government of Botswana that resulted in the construction of SADC Headquarters.
The SADC Chairperson expressed optimism that the SADC Headquarters will serve as a symbol of solidarity and unity of the SADC region and as an embodiment of SADC’s history, culture and heritage to spur the realisation of regional goals and aspirations for the good of its citizens.
President Advocate Boko expressed gratitude to the SADC Heads of State and Government for entrusting Botswana with the hosting of the SADC Headquarters, the gesture he described as an affirmation of the confidence and trust the SADC region has on Botswana as a SADC Member State.
President Advocate Boko added: “As we take ownership of this building, let us remember that the SADC Headquarters is more than just a structure. It is a symbol of our journey, our achievements, and our future. It is a place where we will continue to build on our successes as a region, address emerging headwinds, and strive for even greater heights”.
In her remarks on behalf of Bongwe Investment Proprietary Limited, Mrs. Neo Bogatsu, highlighted that the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Agreement involving SADC, Botswana Government and Bongwe demonstrates that the PPP arrangement can deliver infrastructure development, economic growth and good public service delivery. She encouraged SADC Member States to venture into PPP arrangements to enhance private sector participation in development.
The idea of constructing the SADC Headquarters in Botswana was conceived at the SADC Council of Ministers meeting which was held in Luanda, Angola in March 2003, when the Ministers accepted a plot offered by the Government of Botswana in the Central Business District (CBD) area of the Botswana’s Capital City of Gaborone. A Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Agreement involving SADC, Bongwe Investments (Proprietary) Limited (Private Party) and the Government of the Republic of Botswana as a guarantor to the PPP arrangement, was established to facilitate the construction of the SADC Headquarters. The Agreement commenced in August 2009 and ended on 11 December 2024.
