South Africa has formally assumed the Chairpersonship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standing Committee of Senior Officials, with the country pledging to strengthen implementation of regional programmes and advance the objectives of the bloc.
Addressing the opening of the SADC Senior Officials Meeting in Durban on Thursday, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials, Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo, said South Africa accepted the responsibility with humility and a commitment to advancing the aspirations of the regional organisation.
“It is both a profound honour and a great privilege to stand before you today as I accept, on behalf of the Republic of South Africa, the Chairpersonship of the SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials for the period from August 2026 to August 2027,” Seokolo said.
The meeting in KwaZulu-Natal precedes the SADC Council of Ministers gathering scheduled for 12 August and the 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government taking place from 16 to 17 August.
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Seokolo said South Africa’s formal assumption of the Chairship followed its role as Interim Chair of SADC after unforeseen circumstances affected Madagascar.
“Although South Africa has had the honour of serving as Interim Chair of SADC following the unforeseen circumstances that affected our sister Republic of Madagascar, today marks our formal assumption of the substantive Chairship,” he said.
He said the transition demonstrated the resilience of SADC institutions and the commitment of member states to ensure continuity despite challenges.
Seokolo expressed appreciation to Zimbabwe for its leadership during the transitional period, saying the country’s willingness to host statutory meetings helped sustain the organisation’s work.
“I wish to acknowledge, with deep appreciation, the Republic of Zimbabwe for its remarkable sense of camaraderie, solidarity, and selfless leadership in willingly putting its shoulder to the wheel as we collectively sought to keep the leadership wagon of our organisation moving during an unprecedented period,” he said.
He also acknowledged Zambia’s leadership as part of the Summit Troika and said South Africa looks forward to working with all member states in advancing the regional agenda.
As the Standing Committee of Senior Officials begins its deliberations, Seokolo said the body has a critical role in ensuring that recommendations presented to the Council of Ministers are strategic, practical and implementable.
“We are entrusted with ensuring that the Council of Ministers receives strategic, well-considered and implementable recommendations. We serve as the bridge between policy formulation and implementation,” he said.
Pressing matters
He highlighted several pressing matters on the agenda, including SADC’s financial sustainability, peace and security challenges, economic transformation, infrastructure development, food and nutrition security, energy security, climate resilience and public health.
“Peace and security remain among our greatest preoccupations, particularly in light of the continuing destabilisation of social and economic livelihoods in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”
He also conveyed South Africa’s condolences following the loss of life caused by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On economic development, Seokolo said industrialisation remained central to SADC’s efforts to create employment and achieve shared prosperity.
“Our aspiration for a region that produces what it consumes and trades more extensively within itself remains alive. Therefore, industrialisation remains the cornerstone of our regional efforts to drive economic transformation, create decent employment, and advance shared prosperity.”
Seokolo said South Africa’s tenure would focus on strengthening implementation, improving coordination among member states and ensuring that decisions adopted by SADC institutions translated into measurable developmental outcomes.
“Together, we must continue to strengthen the foundations of our organisation and advance the aspirations embodied in the SADC Treaty, Vision 2050 and the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan,” he said.
The Senior Officials Meeting will consider reports on the implementation of previous Summit and Council decisions, monitoring and evaluation systems, resource mobilisation, sustainable financing of the Community and institutional reforms aimed at improving the effectiveness of SADC structures.
The opening of the meeting took place in Durban, a city Seokolo described as carrying the historical legacy of Africa’s liberation and integration efforts, including the establishment of the African Union in 2002.
The SADC Standing Committee of Senior Officials is one of the statutory bodies of the regional organisation and provides technical support to the Council of Ministers. – SAnews.gov.za
