The historic gathering of the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in the majestic Victoria Falls City unfolded like a vibrant tapestry of hope and promise, with President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at its radiant center. His Excellency’s presence electrified the atmosphere, embodying a leadership that dares to dream and dares to deliver, a leadership that stands tall at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, determined to propel the SADC region into an era of boundless possibilities. With the iconic Victoria Falls roaring in the background, President Mnangagwa’s clarion call to embrace Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies in parliamentary processes ignited an audacious vision that reverberated throughout the Assembly, a vision that challenges SADC to not only keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution but to harness it as a vehicle for inclusive, transformative governance.
Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda’s warm welcome mirrored this visionary spirit, celebrating President Mnangagwa’s exceptional stewardship both as the Head of State and as the Chairman of the SADC Summit since August 2024. His voice carried a sense of profound pride in Zimbabwe’s role as a torchbearer of regional progress, especially as he recounted the Parliament of Zimbabwe’s record sixth time hosting this prestigious Plenary Assembly. That pride was not mere sentimentality but a rallying cry for regional unity, innovation, and democratic deepening. The Speaker’s acknowledgment of the President’s unwavering commitment to transforming the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a fully-fledged Regional Parliament spoke volumes about a shared regional aspiration, to break the barriers of fragmentation and foster a Parliament that truly represents the voices, dreams, and ambitions of the Southern African people.
There was an almost poetic symbolism in the setting itself, Victoria Falls City, a place of natural wonder and historic significance, a place that mirrors the grandeur of a region standing on the precipice of change. The heartfelt tribute to the late Zambian Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Roy Ngulube, served as a poignant reminder of the human bonds that weave SADC together. It was a moment of unity, of shared sorrow, and of collective strength. And then came the pivot to the future: the emphasis on AI. This was no empty gesture but a bold statement of intent. President Mnangagwa’s unwavering focus on innovation hubs, industrial parks, and the transformation of parliaments through digital tools was a masterstroke, a clarion call to embrace technology not as a threat, but as a bridge to greater accessibility, efficiency, and citizen empowerment.
Imagine the ripple effects, AI streamlining legislative drafting, breaking down language barriers, enhancing oversight, and transforming parliamentary processes into dynamic, responsive engines of governance. Imagine a Parliament that not only legislates but listens, that not only debates but delivers. That is the promise of the vision President Mnangagwa championed, a Parliament that belongs not to the past, but to the future.
This gathering in Victoria Falls was more than a meeting, it was a celebration of what is possible when leadership, vision, and unity converge. As the SADC region looks ahead to the 45th Summit in Madagascar next year, where the Protocol to establish a fully-fledged SADC Regional Parliament is expected to be finalized, the torch lit in Victoria Falls will continue to burn brightly. It is a torch of hope, of progress, and of transformation, a beacon that says to every citizen of Southern Africa: the future is here, and it is ours to shape.
President Mnangagwa’s leadership in this defining moment was not just about politics; it was about possibility. It was about daring to dream of a region where technology empowers people, where Parliaments reflect the aspirations of their citizens, and where integration is not just a policy, but a living, breathing reality. In Victoria Falls, the SADC Parliamentary Forum found its voice, and it was a voice of unity, resilience, and unshakable belief in the power of the people.
