The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has elected Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsokoane Samuel Matekane as the incoming Chairperson of its Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
SADC has also approved the appointment of Treasure Thembisile Maphanga as Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.
The decisions were taken during the virtual Extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held on Wednesday, under the chairpersonship of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
READ | President Ramaphosa calls for stronger SADC institutions
Matekane’s election completes the Organ Troika, which comprises the current Chairperson, King Mswati III of Eswatini, and the outgoing Chairperson, Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika.
Summit also approved Maphanga, an Eswatini executive with experience in continental trade, industrial policy, the digital economy and institutional development, as the new Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration.
According to SADC, Maphanga brings 30 years of experience in policy formulation, trade negotiations, institutional reform, public-private partnerships, resource mobilisation and programme delivery.
The appointment is expected to support the implementation of regional priorities outlined in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020–2030 and advance the organisation’s vision of a more integrated, prosperous and resilient region.
The Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration provides strategic oversight of programmes covering regional trade, industrialisation, infrastructure development, food security, social and human development, and economic cooperation among member states.
Disaster preparedness
The Extraordinary Summit also called on member states to strengthen regional disaster preparedness, enhance anticipatory action and improve coordination in responding to emerging humanitarian risks.
This comes amid concerns about the potential cascading impacts of the 2026/2027 El Niño and cyclone season in Southern Africa.
Summit congratulated Mozambique President Daniel Francisco Chapo, the African Union Champion for Disaster Risk Management, on hosting the inaugural International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa in Maputo from 13 to 15 October 2026.
Held under the theme: “Scaling Proactive Governance and Strategic Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction and a Resilient Africa”, the conference called for accelerated implementation of disaster risk reduction commitments, stronger partnerships and increased investment in resilience-building initiatives across the continent.
Acknowledging outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary
The Summit also expressed gratitude to outgoing Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Angèle Makombo N’Tumba, whose contract ends on 26 October 2026.
SADC acknowledged her dedicated service and contribution to regional integration and the socio-economic development agenda during her four-year tenure at the Secretariat.
“[The] Summit expressed appreciation to His Excellency Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and the Government of the Republic of South Africa for the successful hosting of the Extraordinary Summit and for his continued leadership and commitment to advancing the SADC regional integration agenda,” the Communique said.
In closing the meeting, President Ramaphosa thanked Heads of State and Government and their representatives for participating, reaffirming the importance of collective efforts to promote regional integration, peace, stability and sustainable development across Southern Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
