President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially assumed the Chairmanship of
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) during the opening
ceremony of the 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in
Harare yesterday. In a ceremonious handover, Angolan President Joao
Manuel Goncalves passed the SADC Badge and gavel to President Mnangagwa,
signaling the start of his tenure as SADC Chair. The event, held at the
Multipurpose Hall of the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, was
attended by 13 out of 16 Heads of State and Government, alongside over
500 regional delegates.
In his acceptance speech, President Mnangagwa expressed deep
gratitude to the outgoing Chair, President Goncalves, for his visionary
leadership. He also extended his thanks to Zambian President Hakainde
Hichilema, the outgoing Chair of the SADC Organ Troika, for his
dedication, despite his absence from the summit. Mnangagwa’s gracious
acceptance of the role, combined with his recognition of his
predecessors, underscored his diplomatic prowess and statesmanship.
Looking ahead, President Mnangagwa emphasized the importance of
industrialization and innovation in achieving the goals set out in the
SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015–2063. He called on
member states to protect the region’s sovereignty and
self-determination, particularly in the face of climate-induced
challenges. To this end, he urged the operationalization of the SADC
Humanitarian and Emergency Centre, highlighting the need for regional
cooperation in disaster management and response.
President Mnangagwa’s acceptance of the SADC Chairmanship, coupled
with the high-level attendance at the summit, serves as a powerful
endorsement of his leadership on both national and regional stages. The
strong participation of SADC leaders affirms Zimbabwe’s central role in
the region, countering criticisms from detractors and reinforcing the
legitimacy of Mnangagwa’s government.
As Zimbabwe continues to align with the SADC Industrialisation
Strategy, the country’s commitment to initiatives like “Zimbabwe is Open
for Business” and “Nyika Inovakwa, Igotongwa, Igonamatirwa Nevene
Vayo”—which focus on innovation, education, and self-reliance—positions
it as a key player in the region’s future. Under Mnangagwa’s leadership,
SADC is poised to advance its collective goals of economic growth,
stability, and unity.
