C T®DAY '· Southern African Development Community Vol. 3 No. 5 April 2000

SADC drums up support for its action programme ADC ministers and senior officials country was beginning to recuperate the country of self-reliance in food converged at Swaziland's resort from. supply. But the tropical Cyclone Eline Svalley ofEzulwini late February to Seven years after the apartheid­ set the country back at least 10 years, impress on international donors the need backed civil war, Mozambique was start­ according to preliminary estimates. to support various projects that will help ing to look different. President Joaquirn "They were rebuilding their lives; to integrate the region's 14 members. Chissano's government had just been they had very poor houses, but they had The consultative conference is held retained in office through a popular vote, houses. They had recovered the digni­ annually and attended by government its damaged road and rail links were once ty of feeding themselves ... they could ministers, representatives of the donor again operational and the rural popula­ community, and non-governmental sec­ tion was returning to the land, ensuring continued on page 6 tor including, business leaders and civil society. The meeting accords stakehold­ ers an opportunity to engage in dialogue on matters of mutual interest and dis­ cuss funding for SADC's programme of action. According to the Acting Executive Secretary of SADC, Prega Ramsamy, the programme of action comprises 378 projects valued at about US$7.7 billion of which 48 percent has been secured and eight percent are under negotiation, leaving a funding gap of 44 percent. This year's conference was held un­ der the theme: "Peace, Progress and Prosperity". Nearly 400 delegates took part in the meeting held against a back­ drop of a sluggish peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), continued warfare in Angola and the coming into force of the trade protocol. But as officials presented existing and new projects in SADC's 19 sectors to the donors, urgent new needs arose as cyclone-induced floods struck at least four countries - Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe - with Mo­ The devastating floods in Mozambique left many in need of food aid. zambique being the hardest M. As the chairperson of the Council of Ministers, Mozambique Foreign Affairs Minister Leornado Simao, briefed jour­ Secretariat donates to flood victims nalists about proceedings at the consult­ token contribution given the immensity ative conference in Swaziland, and the he SADC Secretariat has joined local and international organisa­ and gravity of the situation. However, floods which were tearing apart infra­ tions in donating in cash and kind Botswana's Acting Minister of Presiden­ structure, homes and crops, rendering T to victims of floods in the region's four tial Affairs and Public Administration, thousands of Mozambicans homeless. most affected countries. Tebelelo Seretse said the size of dona­ Touring the central and southern tion should not be a factor but "the spir­ provinces, Graca Machel, wife of former Making the presentations to repre­ sentatives of Botswana, Mozambique, it in which the gift is given." South African President Nelson Mandela South Africa and Zimbabwe, the SADC The Botswana-based high commis­ described the destruction as equalling Acting Executive Secretary, Dr. Prega sioners of South Africa and Zimbabwe, two decades of the civil war (which end­ Ramsamy emphasised that this was a ed in 1992) that the southern African continued on page 4 INSIDE

0 Policy Review: SADC T®DAY Communique from the regional Southern African Development Community extraordinary summit to Vol. 3. No 5. April 2000 review floods 3 SADC TODAY is produced by the South­ ern African Research and Documentation 0 Leaders appeal for debt Centre (SARDC) six times a year on be­ cancellation in Mozambique half of the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana. Its contents do not necessarily after the floods reflect the official positions and opinions of the SADC Secretariat or SARDC. Ma­ terials from this newsletter may be repro­ 0 Preview of forthcoming duced freely by the media and others with elections in SADC 7 attribution to SADC TODAY. Food Security 5 © SADC, SARDC, 2000 0 Communique of the 2000 SAOC consultative Editorial Committee conference held in Swaziland 8 Alice Kwaramba, Tinashe Madava, Phyllis Johnson, Hugh McCullum, Jean Chimhandamba, Walter Tapfumaneyi, 0 Cape Town to host Jabulani Sithole, Diana Mavunduse legislators conference 10

Editorial Advisors Esther Kanaimba 0 Community building: Head of SADC Public Relations Sports and culture 13 Petronilla Ndebele SADC Information Officer 0 Around the region: Editor ACC 6 News briefs 11' Munetsi Madakufamba

Design & Layout/DTP 0 Book review, recent publications Juliet Mucheki and acquisitions 15

Print Coordination SAOC diary, public holidays, Brighton Kadzambaira 0 currency checklist 16 Origination/Printing Crystal Graphics and Cannon Press, Harare

Contributions are welcome from individu­ als and organisations within the SADC region in the form of articles, news items, and comments, and also from outside the A note to the reader region. The publishers reserve the right SADC in Pictures 11 to select or reject items and edit for space We would like to notify you that SADC Today available. is now available through an annual sub­ scription fee. For six issues a year, the fee is Correspondence should be addressed to: US$30 for outside Africa and US$15 for Af­ SADC TODAY rica. Your subscription will also enable you Southern African Research and to receive SADC Today by airmail and elec­ Documentation Centre (SARDCI tronically via e-mail and internet should you 13 Bath Road, Belgravia, choose to do so. We would like to thank you P.O. Box 5690, Harare, Zimbabwe for your comments and support throughout the past year and would also like to remind Tel: 263.4. 738 694/5/6 you that we welcome your contributions to Fax: 263.4. 738 693 the newsletter. For more details on sub­ Email: [email protected] Website: www.sardc.net Guest Column 12 scriptions, please contact the Editor.

2 SADCTODAY, April2000 POLICY REVIEW summit

Final communique 01 SADC exuaordinarv regional summn to review impact ol noods

n Extraordinary summit meet review the impact of the floods caused tion to the international community for ing of the Southern African De­ by Cyclone Eline and Tropical Depres­ the current humanitarian assistance Avelopment Community Heads of sion Gloria on the countries of SADC, provided to the affected countries of State and Government was held in Mapu­ particularly on Mozambique. The prevail­ the region. Mozambique, for its part ex­ to, on 14 March 2000. The one-day sum­ ing emergency situation in the affected pressed deep appreciation and grati­ mit was convened at the initiative of the countries was also reviewed. tude for the timely solidarity and sup­ President of the Republic of Namibia, The Heads of State and Government port provided by the SADC countries, H.E. Sam Nujoma, in his capacity as Dep­ expressed deep sorrow and regret at the UN agencies and the international com­ uty Chairperson of SADC. loss of hundreds of lives as a result of munity. The Summit was attended by the fol­ the floods cause by Cyclonic weather The Heads of State and Govern­ lowing Heads of State and Government: conditions. They expressed their solidar­ ment acknowledged the actions taken ity with and sympathy to the bereaved at the SADC level towards grappling H.E. President Festus Mogae and flood affected families not only in with the effects of these disasters on - Botswana Mozambique but also in South Africa, the lives of the affected population. In particular, the Summit took note of the H.E. President Bakili Muluzi decisions that emanated from the meet­ - Malawi ing of Ministers in charge of Disaster Management held in Pretoria and the H.E. President Joaquim Alberto Maputo Health Ministers meeting on Chissano 3ro and 11th March 2000 respectively. - Mozambique The Heads of State and Govern­ 14 March 2000 ment adopted additional measures to H.E. President Sam Nujoma Maputo, Mozambique support the affected populations and - Namibia to strengthen the regional coordination mechanisms in order to trigger off the H.E. President Thabo Mbeki reconstruction of Mozambique and - South Africa other countries affected in the region. The Summit expressed the need for H.E. President Benjamin William Mkapa the establishment of a regional institu­ - Tanzania tional mechanism for disaster prepar­ edness and management which would H.E. President Frederick J T Chiluba respond timely to similar situations. - Zambia This mechanism would also be respon­ sible for mobilising resources that Rt. Honourable Prof. Pakalitha Mosisili would be used to obviate the effects - Lesotho of disasters whenever they occur. The Summit called on the international com­ Rt. Honourable Dr Sibusiso B. Dlarnini Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mada­ munity to provide long term support - Swaziland gascar It was noted that some two mil­ to such mechanisms. lion people were affected half of whom The Summit also appealed to the The Republic of Angola was repre­ were in dire need of assistance. International Community to cancel all sented by the Defence Minister, Hon­ The Heads of State and Government foreign debts owed by Mozambique to ourable Kundi Paihama. expressed concern at the huge loss of enable it to channel all available re­ The Republic of Zimbabwe was rep­ personal belongings and the damage to sources to the reconstruction of de­ resented by the High Commissioner of social amenities and infrastructure such stroyed infrastructure and property. Zimbabwe to Mozambique and the Re­ as schools and hospitals, water supply The Summit thanked President public of Mauritius was represented by systems, power lines, railway lines, Joaquim Chissano, the Government a Senior Staff member of the Mauritian roads, bridges and telecommunications and the people of the Republic of Mo­ High Commission in Mozambique. networks. They also expressed concern zambique for the hospitality and The Summit was also attended by at the massive destruction of the crops the excellent facilities made available Acting Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr as well as livestock. for the success of the deliberations Prega Ramsamy. The Heads of State and Government of the Maputo Extraordinary SADC The objective of the Summit was to expressed deep gratitude and apprecia- Summit.O

SADC1DDAY, Apru2000 3 CURRENT ISSUES · . trad~ Ministers announce datet or launch of trade pact

Following is a media briefing speech in relation to man-made fabrics/fibres us to sit on our laurels but we will work by SADC Acting Executive Secretary Dr where the region does not have adequate on the support measures for the imple­ Prega Ramsamy on 4 April. capacity. Instead of insisting on an agree­ mentation of the protocol. In this regard ment on this request, the two countries Ministers directed that guidelines on dis­ " ... The SADC Ministers of Trade met decided to pursue their requests in the pute settlement should be prepared and on 31st March 2000. Oneofthemostcrit­ context of the Textiles and Clothing Com­ structures put in place before Septem­ ical issues discussed was the Rules of mittee set up by the Ministers to moni­ ber 2000. In this context, the Ministers Origin particularly those pertaining to tor the implementation of the rules of directed that a team of Member States the textiles and clothing sector. origin in the textiles and clothing sector. Legal Officers be convened by Mid-April The other outstanding chapters in­ ... This compromise by Mauritius and 2000 to work on this issue . cluded Chapter 11, on products of the Zimbabwe facilitated the conclusion of 10. Taking into cognisance the need milling industry, malt, starches, insulin, the negotiations on textiles and clothing to harmonize Sanitary and Phytosanitary wheat, gluten, which is related to in principle. Member States are now (SPS) measures in the region, in order to Chapter 19. putting these chapters on the gradual facilitate trade on agricultural products, Chapter 27 on fuels has been exclud­ tariff reduction list. the Ministers directed that a Coordina­ ed, because of its critical role in the econ­ Given the critical mass achieved on tion Committee on Sanitary and Phy­ omy. Chapters 84 and 85 covering nucle­ the rules of origin agreed to date, Minis­ tosanitary and Technical Barriers to ar reactors, boilers, machinery and me­ ters decided to announce the launch date Trade (CC-SPSffBT) should meet by chanical appliances and electrical ma­ for the implementation of tariff reduction Mid-April to work on the harmonisation chinery and equipment, sound record­ as, 1st September 2000. In agreeing on of these measures to ensure that trade in ers and reproducers, television, image this date, the Ministers responsible for agriculture and agricultural products is and sound recorders and Chapter 90 on Trade were cognizant of the need to not unduly hampered. optical, photographic and medical equip­ amend Annex 1 of the Protocol by acti­ Negotiations will continue on all out­ ment were identified as complex and more vating Article 34 of the SADC Protocol standing issues, which in themselves analysis is required before an agreement on trade. The amendment has to be ap­ will not prevent the launch of the imple­ is reached. proved by Summit in August before im­ mentation phase on 1st September 2000. The automobile industry and the plementation in 1st September 2000. We are positive that the process is now sugar sector are also outstanding, as This break through should not lead well were underway."D development agreements for the sectors are required. In both cases, technical committees have been set up to develop the regional policy framework as a basis SADC donates to flood victims for development plans for the sectors. With regard to the textiles and cloth­ He further explained that the latest continued from page 1 ing, which is an area of interest to all effort toward flood alleviation follows a SADC Member States, we are happy that erie of activitie undertaken by the re­ a compromise has been reached. who received a donation of US $300 gion in trying to address the current nat­ There is an agreement between the each, also expressed similar entiments. ural di aster. The e, he said, included Least Developed Countries (Malawi, Botswana received US$300 and 12 box­ the measures initially set in motion by Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia) on es of food and clothing. the SADC Council of Ministers meeting one stage transformation for products Mozambique, the hardest-hit of the in Swaziland in mid-February which manufactured from imported materials four, received US$4,000 in cash and 72 called for the intensification of efforts to boxes of food, clothing and footwear but governed by quotas. The quotas will "mobilise resources to assist the flood delivered to Maputo. be fixed on the basis of production ca­ victims and mitigate the impact of The donations were sourced from the pacity. All other trade would be carried floods." Secretariat staff, secondary schools of out on the basis of the rule that requires Other activities included the impas­ Legae Academy and New Era School, the two-stage transformation. sioned appeal to SADC's international local Catholic Church and the French Zimbabwe and Mauritius have the cooperating partners, action-oriented Embassy. A local transport company, capacity to meet the two-stage transfor­ meetings of SADC Heads of State and Truck Africa, delivered the goods to Government, and SADC heads of mis­ mation for their textile products and will Mozambique free of charge. sions in Botswana. trade on the two-stage transformation Dr. Ramsamy said such a gesture by Dr. Ramsamy described the recent basis. schools and others was heartening. He phenomenon and the response it elicit­ They, however, requested for a spe­ noted that "it is time we had a regional ed as "a positive milestone in the devel­ cial consideration for equal treatment one disaster management mechanism in opment of the region in that it brought stage transformation with respect to place given the increased disasters in the to the fore the cohesiveness of the re­ Chapters 60-63 on clothing, particularly region." gion as a community."D

4 SADC1DDAY, April2000 CURRENT ISSUES . food security Floods and drought: Atale ol two extremes by Tinashe Madava

outhern Africa is currently work ing on solving its food security Ssituation which has deteriorated dramatically since the onset of torren­ tial rains that have caused devastating floods resulting in massive loss of crops. According to the Regional Famine Early Warning Unit (Fewu), southern Africa is faced with food shortages due to a combination of drought and floods. Regional cereal deficits had only been predicted to be wheat and sorghum with an overall deficit of 548, 000 tonnes. Maize deficits had been assessed at 134 000 tonnes. However, the situation has since changed with the occurrence of the floods in areas where bumper har­ vests were expected. All the major sta­ (.) ple cereals are assessed as showing Cl =< shortfalls during the 1999/2000 market­ "' ing year. Opening of Kariba's flood gates affected communities downstream, especially in Zambia. The rains that lashed most parts of the region worsened by cyclone Eline, ty situation is not stable due to the wars statement said. Tanzania, one of the have left a trail of disaster in the form of taking place. The two countries are cur­ world's most impoverished countries, floods in Botswana, Mozambique, South rently relying on humanitarian aid. has suffered a shortage of the staple Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The World Food Programme (WFP) maize crop for the last three years. Huge tracts of farmland have been says between 28 February and 5 March, The food aid to Mozambique will submerged in water as rivers over­ it delivered 1,360 metric tonnes of food come from the national food stocks. flowed, sweeping away people, animals, aid and 218 tonnes of non-food items According to FEWU, Zimbabwe's crops and strategic grain reserves in by air for hundreds of thousands of dis­ harvest was likely to be lower than last Mozambique. placed people in war-tom Angola. A year. This could result in communal In eastern and southern Zimbabwe, further 1,264 tonnes of food was deliv­ households who are reliant on crop in­ crops have also been destroyed and ered by road. comes experiencing food insecurity in thousands of people left homeless. In­ In its latest update, WFP said that it the corning months. frastructure has been damaged exten­ was organising 10 daily flights to deliv­ Most crops in Malawi were affected sively in the affected countries. er 2,900 tonnes of food to Kui~o during by the erratic start to the main rainy sea­ Mozambican President, J oaquim March, "thus covering 100 percent of son, but maize posed the most serious Chissano said the devastating floods in the projected needs for March". concerns, FEWU said. According to his country have now affected close to According to the SADC Food Se­ FEWU, by the middle of December offi­ one million people. An estimated 900 curity Bulletin, rainfall has been erratic cial maize stocks were about 225,000 metric tonnes of maize, one of Mozam­ and insufficient in Tanzania, resulting tonnes. The update says that these bique's staple foods, is needed in the in poor prospects for both the short rain stocks combined with the first crops from central region. To date only 1.22 metric season and seasonal harvests. 1999/2000 season would be more than tonnes of food had been delivered. In north-western Tanzania, drought sufficient to meet national demands un­ Meanwhile, the tail end of Cyclone had been predicted, threatening food til April. Eline drenched central and northeastern security. With SADC's food security under parts of Namibia, according to a recent However, Tanzania has donated al­ threat from a number of natural disas­ report by The Namibian. Riaan Van Zyl most 1,000 tonnes of maize to victims of ters in the form of floods and drought as at the Weather Bureau in Windhoek said the devastating floods in Mozambique, well as the civil wars, there is need to the current rainfall is "connected" to Cy­ news reports said. "The Tanzanian gov­ increase strategic grain reserves of clone Eline. ernment has decided to donate the food states in the region to improve self suf­ In. Angola and the Democratic Re­ as a gesture of solidarity with the peo­ ficiency when faced with disasters.D public of Congo (DRC), the food securi- ple of Mozambique," a foreign ministry SADCTODAY, April 2000 5 CURRENT ISSUES consultative conference SADC drums up support tor its action programme

continued from page 1 shown that a growth rate of at least 6.2 percent is needed for a signifi­ cant reduction in poverty. The session also mulled over the possibility of establishing a re­ gional development bank, free movement of people, reform of SADC institutions and formulation of predictable, credible and consist­ ent macroeconomic policies as ways of accelerating growth in the region. The political session dwelt on the DRC cease-fire and violation of Unita sanctions, and the need to strengthen institutions and struc­ tures that deal with conflict preven­ ... tion and resolution. =c "' Swazi Foreign Minister, Albert King Mswati Ill and some of the ministers who attended the ACC in Swaziland. Shabangu called for a long-term so- lution to conflict by establishing send their children back to school, there Discussions on the economic ses­ mechanisms "that will cause us to re­ was a small clinic next door ... There was sion centred on the positive news of the spond in an organized fashion to deal this sense of rebuilding a life and boost­ SADC Trade Protocol which came into with conflict". Acknowledging the exist­ ing again our sense of dignity and self­ force on 25 January 2000. As the region ence of both the SADC Organ on De­ esteem - which was completely broken gets ready to implement the trade proto­ fence, Politics and Security and the In­ by the floods," said Machel. col, a strong message of warning came ter-State Defence and Security Cornrnit­ So bad was the situation in Mozam­ from the private sector which lamented tee, the Swazi Minister said southern bique that Simao was forced to leave the lack of business involvement in ne­ Africa should invest in structures that Swaziland earlier than expected, before gotiations leading to the protocol. would allow SADC to approach conflict the official opening of the consultative "The protocol affects us as business in a focused manner. conference to drum up international re­ but we were not adequately consulted .... The social interactive group empha­ lief for his country. We are only informed when decisions sised the need for a multi-sectoral ap­ The Deputy Chairperson of the are already taken .... You need private proach to the fight against HIV/AIDS. SADC Council of Ministers and Na­ sector involvement if this protocol is The need to mainstream gender and oth­ mibian Minister of Trade and Industry, going to succeed," said Said Hussein, er stakeholders such as the private Hidipo Hamutenya, took over the chair­ President of the Association of SADC sector, civil society and the youth in manship of the conference which was Chambers of Commerce and Industry SADC's action prograrnrne was also officially opened by King Mswati ill, who and leader of the Mauritius Business underlined. D called on the donor cornrnunity to reduce Council. administrative bottlenecks on aid meant The protocol will be launched on 1 for developing countries. September 2000, according to a statement "Time and again, we hear of large by Ministers of Trade who met on sums being put aside for our support, 31 March in South Africa, where they but when time comes to utilise them for made a breakthrough on outstanding is­ our priority projects, we find that unreal­ sues relating to the contentious rules of istic conditions are attached which origin. makes implementation difficult, tirne-con­ Participants noted that more needs surning and more costly," King Mswati to be done to accelerate economic growth told delegates. and development. SADC recorded eco­ In addition to the sectoral working nomic growth of two percent in 1999, group sessions, the conference had a which participants said was not enough ... new format with a whole day devoted to to lift 40 percent of its estimated 200 mil- ~ three interactive group sessions on eco­ lion people who are living in abject pov- "' nomic, political and social issues. erty. Recent studies on SADC have Prime Minister of Swaziland, Barnabas S. Dlamini attended the official opening. 6 SADCTODAY, April2000 CURRENT ISSUES elections More elections as SADC consolidates its democracv by Diana Mavunduse from descending into chaos after oppo­ exercise of defining constituencies he 2000 round of elections in sition parties disputed the 1998 election which may take up to three months, ac­ southern Africa is approaching results and embarked on a month-long cording to Justice Wilson Sandura, chair­ T with polls expected in Lesotho, protest outside the parliamentary and person of the recently appointed Delim­ Mauritius, Tanzania and Zimbabwe be­ royal buildings. The agreement was itation Commission. tween May and the end of the year. sponsored and guaranteed by SADC According to the Zimbabwe Elector­ Zimbabwe is expected to select its following an armed intervention by al Act, the President has powers to fix a legislators in May, while Lesotho's poll, South Africa and Botswana. day on which the voters' roll for that originally scheduled for the same month, In Tanzania, voter registration for the election will be regarded as closed for has been postponed indefinitely due to country's elections scheduled for Octo­ the purpose of accepting the registra­ disagreements over the electoral model. ber is planned to start in June, according tion of voters who may vote at the elec­ Tanzania will be next, in October, while to the department of Foreign Affairs. tion. Voter registration ended on 31 Mauritius will complete the 2000 round The incumbent President Benjamin March. of elections towards the end of the year. Mkapa is seeking re-election in a presi­ Although the Registrar General's In Lesotho, Lekhetho Rakuone, co­ dential race which is expected to be con­ Office did not immediately have the to­ chairman of the Interim Political Author­ tested by three other candidates and so tal number of people registered, some ity (IPA) said, "The IPA composed of far, thirteen political parties have ex­ political analysts estimated that at least · representatives of all political parties in­ pressed interest in contesting the sec­ two million new voters would appear cluding the ruling Lesotho Congress of ond multiparty general elections. on the roll this year. The current voters Democracy (LCD), agreed on a three­ Mauritius, one of southern Africa's roll, used in the 1995 election, has five pronged Constitution Amendment Bill to oldest multi-party democracies, is expect- million. be approved by parlia­ ment." The amendments pro­ vided for the establishment of a mixed member electoral system, whereby the cur­ rent 80-member parliament would be increased to 130 members through a mixture of a constituency and pro­ portional representation electoral system. The other aspects of the amendment related to the j appointment of a new elec- i!"' toral commission and the ;:::; provision for the conduct of .,~ general elections. 2 .?: However, the 80-mem- ~ ber parliament, 79 of whom Voter registration at Makombe complex in Harare. The parliamentary elections may be held in May this year. belong to the LCD, rejected the IPA approval of a mixed member elec­ ed to hold elections at the end of the The registration turn out was the toral model, and resolved instead that a year. The major political parties to con­ highest since 1980, when Zimbabwe held referendum be held on the proposed test the elections are the ruling Labour its first general elections. amendments. Party, the Mauritian Militant Movement Zimbabwe's presidential elections Rakuoane said parliament's decision and the Socialist Militant Movement will be held in 2002. has created political tensions in the coun­ Meanwhile Zimbabwe's parliament If the four countries hold their elec­ try, which might lead to the collapse of was dissolved on 11 April to pave the tions, it would be nine out of 14 for the the IPA. "It is highly unlikely that elec­ way for an election President Robert Southern African Development Commu­ tions will be held this year because of Mugabe said will be held in May, al­ nity (SADC) in a space of two years. the disagreement of the electoral model. though recent developments may push Five SADC countries - Botswana, Ma­ We are likely to experience political in­ it further than originally foreseen. lawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South stability if elections are not held soon," Latest reports suggest that the elec­ Africa - held elections in 1999. In all cas­ added Rakuoane. tions which were initially scheduled for es, ruling parties were re-elected in elec­ The IPA was established as a com­ April, may be further postponed to July tions widely observed and declared rep­ promise body to prevent the country or August due to the usually lengthy resentative of the will of the people. D SADCTODAY, April 2000 7 CURRENT ISSUES consultative conference 2000 SADC Consultative Conference communique • The SADC Consultative Conference introduction of His Majesty, spoke of the • He emphasised the importance of was held at the Convention Centre, Royal pride of the Swazi nation in the four centu­ enlarging the regional market, which would Swazi Sun Hotel, Ezulwini Valley in the King­ ries of unbroken royal lineage, and the cen­ act as a launch pad into the global economy, dom of Swaziland on 20-21 February 2000. tral role the monarchy plays in Swazi histo­ as well as the need to build confidence The Conference was attended by represent­ ry and culture. Dr. Dlarnini observed that His amongst the private sector in the economy atives from all SADC Member States, inter­ Majesty had taken many proactive and sup­ of the region. He said globalisation is a phe­ national cooperating partners from countries portive roles in regional and international or­ nomenon from which SADC cannot opt out, in Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia, ganisations and initiatives, and has vigor­ and would not be in the interest of the inter­ and Europe (a list of countries and organisa­ ously promoted trade and investment as well national community, if a greater part of hu­ tions represented is attached). Representa­ as creating and sustaining excellent diplomatic manity were excluded from its benefits. tives of the various agencies of the United links with many countries of the world. • Speaking on behalf of the Secretary Nations, international and regional organisa­ • The Honourable Deputy Minister General of the United Nations, Ambassador tions, the private sector, the labour move­ Mr. Kelebone Maope of the Kingdom of Ibrahim Gambari, Under Secretary General ment, non-governmental organisations and Lesotho gave an address in which he thanked and Special Advisor on Africa, spoke of the civil society, also attended the Conference. His Majesty, the government and people of importance the UN attaches to Africa. This • The Conference was convened under Swaziland for their warm hospitality. Mr. is demonstrated, among others, by the desig­ the theme "Peace, Progress and Prosperity Maope noted that His Majesty's presence nation of January 2000 as the month of Afri­ in SADC in the New Millennium". The theme underscored his commitment and personal ca, devoted to high profile attention to Afri­ was chosen in recognition of the fact these identification with the principles, aims and can issues. He described SADC as represent­ are essential and related pre-requisites for the objectives of SADC. He pledged SADC's ing the African continent's successes, pros­ achievement of SADC's objectives of achiev­ resolve to deepen the existing areas of coop­ pects and opportunities, as well as its prob­ ing economic growth, alleviating poverty and eration and cultivate new ones in order to lems. enhancing the standard and quality of life of further strengthen the historical and long- • The Acting Executive Secretary of the peoples of the region through regional SADC, Dr. Prega Ramsamy, also addressed integration. the official opening session of the Confer­ • His Majesty King Mswati III of the ence. In his statement, he assured Cooperat­ Kingdom of Swaziland officially opened the ing Partners that SADC remains unflinching­ Conference. In his keynote address, His ly committed to the objective of creating a Majesty King Mswati III welcomed dele­ single economic space through regional inte­ gates to Swaziland, and observed that this gration. He said SADC would relentlessly particular Conference is of special signifi­ pursue the co-ordination and execution of the cance, as it is the first in the new millennium. SADC Programme of Action in order to He further noted that for the people of Swa­ achieve equitable and balanced development ziland, the hosting of the Conference is a great in the region with the view to addressing the honour. problems of poverty and unemployment. • His Majesty noted that SADC was • The plenary session on Peace, making steady progress towards full econom­ Progress and Prosperity featured presenta­ ic integration, with all Member States strongly tions by representatives of the Association committed to creating the right conditions of SADC Chambers of Commerce and In­ for accelerated economic growth, creation of dustry and the SADC Council ofNGOs. Both jobs and the reduction ofporverty. He reit­ stakeholders emphasised the need for their erated SADC's determination to bring sus­ inclusion in SADC activities so as for them tainable peace to the whole region, and said standing bonds of friendship among Mem­ to play a meaningful role in the regional inte­ the prosperity of individual Member States ber States. gration agenda. The High Commissioner of rests entirely on the fortunes of the region as • The Minister of Trade and Industry the United Kingdom to Botswana and SADC, a whole. of the Republic of Namibia, Mr. Hidipo Ham­ Mr. John Wilde, spoke on behalf oflnterna­ • His Majesty took cognizance of the utenya, addressed the official opening ses­ tional Cooperating Partners. Several coun­ threat presented by HN/AIDS to SADC's sion of the Conference in this capacity as tries made interventions during the plenary plans for economic and social improvement, Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Council session, namely; Canada, China, Denmark, observing that the rest of the agenda could of Ministers. Mr. Hamutenya encouraged Finland, France, Germany, Japan, The Neth­ become irrelevant if the region did not mobi­ local and foreign investors to take full advan­ erlands, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Switzer­ lise itself effectively to deal with the crisis. tage of the changing economic situation in land and the United Kingdom. His Majesty expressed gratitude for the sup­ the region. He noted that the region is well • Four sectoral working groups were port SADC receives from international co­ poised for investment, as most governments held under the clusters of economic, human OpliJ"ating partners, and expressed the hope have undertaken major macro economic re­ and social, natural resources and cross-sec­ that the Conference would look at ways in forms. In addition to the need for increased toral issues. During these sessions, the coor­ which donor funding can be administered foreign direct investment in the SADC re­ dinators of various SADC sectors exchanged quicker, more smoothly and without unnec­ gion, Mr. Hamutenya called upon cooperat­ views with, and briefed cooperating partners essarily restrictive conditions. ing partners to continue with the provision and other delegates on progress in the imple­ • The Right Honourable Prime Minis­ of development aid, as the two are mentation of the SADC program of action. ter of Swaziland, Dr. B. S. Dlarnini, in his complementary. continued on page 9 8 SADC 1DDAY, April 2000 CURRENT ISSUES · consultative conference

continued from page 8 Masire of Botswana and the risks of the • The need for political will to build nation­ Various SADC Sectors presented project proliferation of interest groups and stake­ al capacities and commit resources to re­ proposals for funding by cooperating part­ holders. An appeal was made to ICPs and gional integration agenda; ners. other non-Congolese players not to con­ • The need to mainstream gender and all • SADC Ministers led discussions dur­ tribute to this undesirable trend. stakeholders such as the private sector, ing interactive group sessions on political, • Pledges of support from ICPs for any re­ civil society, and the youth in the regional economic and social issues in which repre­ gional initiatives in the fields of conflict integration process and the SADC Pro­ sentatives of international cooperating part­ prevention and resolution, strengthening gramme of Action. ners actively participated. institutions for the entrenchment of de­ • The need to have a multi-sectoral ap­ • The main issues discussed in the po­ mocracy, good governance, human rights proach to the implementation of HIV/ litical session include: and the rule oflaw. AIDS programmes, as well as specific in­ • The need for more concrete administra­ • The recognition that Africa; and SADC terventions to minimise the spread, and tive mechanisms and structures for the. still needed support from outside part­ enhance the treatment and management prevention and resolution of conflicts in ners in order to realise these solutions. of opportunistic diseases. The need to SADC; • The Economic group discussed re­ put emphasis on the suffering and bur­ • The importance of strengthening cooper­ gional policy and strategy for enhancing eco­ dens of HIV/AIDS, especially on the ru­ ation between regional organisations such nomic growth that would make a dent on ral populations, was also underlined. as SADC and the UN; poverty. They noted the enormous econom­ • The social interactive group also • Concern over the double standard shown ic potential of the region with a population emphasised the need for job creation focus­ by the international community in so far of200 million people and a combined GDP ing on informal sector development, human as intervention in the resolution and man­ of 180 billion US Dollars. The group also resources development, support to women agement of conflicts in various parts of noted that with the returns to investment in business, increased cross-border trade and the world; to this end, it was noted that estimated at 13 percent, this region should special attention to vulnerable groups such conflicts in Africa were receiving less at~ be a logical destination for foreign direct in­ as the disabled and the youth. The group tention and support than that provided vestment. The group noted fast growth in also recommended the need for more atten­ by the international community to con­ Mozambique, Botswana and Angola and the tion to be given to gender mainstreaming and flicts in Europe; overall growth of 2 percent for the region in the putting ofrnore emphasis on girls' edu­ • Inadequate donor support for countries 1999. However, the group was concerned that cation in science, mathematics and business which had taken positive steps to entrench poverty remains widespread with 40 per­ studies and life skills. democracy, and introduced positive eco­ cent of the population still living in abject • Mr. Hidipo Hamutenya officially nomic and social reforms; poverty. The policy challenge for SADC is closed the Conference in this capacity as • The proliferation of small arms in the re­ how to bring about accelerated economic Deputy Chairperson of the SADC Council gion and the need for accelerating action growth, create jobs and reduce poverty. In of Ministers. He thanked all delegates for to combat such proliferation; addition there will be need to examine how their frank and constructive contributions, • The increasing trend for Africans to fash­ surpluses and wealth can best be transferred the Government of the Kingdom of Swazi­ ion their own solutions for their prob­ to balance for the deficits in some Member land and the SADC Secretariat for the effi­ lems. Related to this is the concept of the States. To reduce poverty a number of meas­ cient manner in which the Conference was African Renaissance, which delegates ures were outlined; organised. agreed needed to be elaborated, discussed • Develop regional development strategy • A vote of thanks was passed on be­ and disseminated. • Increase both domestic and foreign direct half of the International Cooperating Part­ • The serious situation of conflicts in An­ investment ners, by the Head of delegation of the Euro­ gola and the DRC and the positive efforts • Enhance the volume and productivity of pean Commission in Gaborone, Botswana, and support of SADC and International investment Mr. Robert Collingwood, who appreciated Cooperating Partners (ICPs) recognised; • Foster private-public sector partnerships the frank and constructive manner in which the complexity of the Angolan situation, • Expedite the implementation of the Trade the Conference was conducted. especially the origins of UNITA which Protocol He noted that in this assessment, this have to be acknowledged; the intransigence • Strengthen institutions supporting pov­ has been a most successful conference com­ of UNITA and the fact that there was erty reduction initiatives pared with the two previous ones. He thanked nothing to be gained from continuing to • Promote micro finance schemes and small the Government and people of Swaziland for negotiate with Savimbi; and the need to and medium scale enterprises their hospitality and their remarkable com­ reinforce the sanctions against UNITA, • Enhance the involvement ofNGOs mitment to SADC. He also thanked the SADC Secretariat especially the illegal sale of diamonds • Economic empowerment of the poor for the efficient way in which they prepared which continue to fuel Savimbi's war ma­ • Ensure gender equality for this Conference. chinery. • Make policies more predictable, credible • SADC Member States expressed • The situation of refugees and displaced and consistent their utmost gratitude to International Co­ persons as a result of conflicts in the re­ • Provide for transparency and accounta­ gion and the need for the international com­ operating Partners, especially Japan, for their bility; and rapid response to the request for humanitar­ munity to increase support to the affect­ • Provide benchmarks and targets to moni­ ed countries. ian assistance to the victims of floods in the tor policy implementation and effective­ region and for the reconstruction of infra­ • The complexity of the process of internal ness. dialogue among the Congolese people, structure that has been devastated by the • The key issues that emerged from floods.o under the facilitation of Former President the social session are;

SADCTODAY, April 2000 9 CURRENT ISSUES . parliaments Cape Town hosts regional conference tor legislators

by Diana Mavunduse mentary Forum in Windhoek in July ing elections in SADC countries which historic assembly of more than 1996," added Mutukwa. was initiated in 1999. undred parliamentarians from The objectives of the conference Under the programme, the forum k ADC member states is set to be also include; "the need to articulate the sends about 20 members of parliaments · held in Cape Town, South Africa, to lay vision and mission of the Parliamentary from different countries in the region to ground for what many see as an impor­ Forum, identify the strategic objectives observe elections as they take place in tant step towards accelerating the inte­ and set priorities for the forum as a ba­ member countries. grating of decision making structures in sis for a framework of an Action Plan to "Without a sound foundation of the 14 countries constituting Africa's achieve the stated objectives," said peace and a culture of tolerance, region­ most vibrant economic bloc. Mutukwa. al cooperation at any level will be diffi­ "Parliamentarians are searching for a There are three major themes to be cult to sustain. Many southern African more holistic approach to programming explored during the conference: countries have taken a lead through re­ in the region based on strategic think­ • the overall role of the forum in re­ introduction of plural politics on which ing. We feel that the good results from gional integration of the community; the region can build," said Mutukwa. projects which have been generated by The idea behind regional integration • the role of parliaments in promoting according to the forums constitution is SADC in the past 20 years can now be democratic governance, gender eq­ translated into tangible products which to achieve collective economic growth uity and protection of human rights; which should, in tum, lead to compre­ should benefit the people who are repre­ and sented by MPs," said Dr Kasuka Mu­ hensive development: ''The latter should facilitate allevia­ tukwa, Secretary-General of the SADC • the role of parliaments in the man­ tion of poverty, and the enhancement of Parliamentary Forum and a former MP agement of conflicts especially con­ the standard and quality of life of the from Zambia. flicts arising from disputes over elec­ people, the citizens of SADC," said Frene Convened by the SADC Parliamen­ tions and electoral systems. tary Forum, an association of national Ginwala, Chairperson of the Parliamen­ assembly structures in southern Africa, The question of whether or not the tary Forum, who was elected in Decem­ the conference is expected to debate the SADC region needs a regional parlia­ ber to replace Mose Tjitendero of Na­ political-economic challenges facing the ment to facilitate the harmonisation of mibia who had led the forum since its continent and the possibility of setting laws and regional protocols is expected formation. up a regional parliament to further the to feature during discussions. Another major topic that will be dis­ ideals of integration and democratisation. As part of its contribution to peace cussed is that of natural resource man­ "The conference is the first of its type building, democracy and development, agement in the region: "Having realised since the launching of the SADC Parlia- the forum has a programme of observ- that most of our people are in the rural areas, it is essential to address the issue of natural resource management, taking into ac­ count the water problem that is affecting most of the people in the region," said Mutukwa. The Conference will be fol­ lowed immediately by a meet­ ing of the policy organ of the Forum, the Plenary Assembly, which consists of 36 elected MPs, three from each of the 12 Parliaments plus the speakers of each National Parliament. "The representative parlia­ mentarians are drawn both from the ruling parties and the op­ position and it includes gen­ der balance as well," said Mu­ tukwa . .... !: Many regional and interna­ 2 ::::> tional organisations and part­ Poverty alleviation is one of the main aims of the parliamentary forum: Women here seen working on ners have been invited to send a resettlement farm observers to the conference. D

10 SADC1DDAY, April2000 SADC pictures

... Cl .,,< Botswana delegation during the Consultative Conference in Swaziland's resort valley of Ezulwini late February.

SADC Acting Executive Secretary, Dr. Prega Ramsamy (left) with Botswana's Acting Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Tebelelo Seretse during the presentation of SADC donations to flood victims in Botswana, Mozambique, South African and Zimbabwe. The presentations were made in Botswana in March .

... Cl

~~~~School children from =~Swaziland ~~~~ entertaining guests during the official opening of the Annual Consultative Conference held from 20· 23 February.

Hundreds of Harare residents queue to register as voters for the forthcoming Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections.

SADC TODAY, April 2000 11 GUEST COLUMN · refugees Refugees and asvlum-seekers in southern Africa

urrently there is a total of 300,000 Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is but the expectation of better economic refugees and asylum-seekers in the inability to completely stop refugee and social opportunities. Cthe southern African region. flows because of continuous social Many of such persons end up seek­ Angolans make up the single largest ref­ strife, tension and conflicts, such as the ing asylum and refugee status to which ugee population by nationality in the one in Angola. Civil turmoil does not obviously they are not entitled. This region, with over 174,800 refugees in only create more refugees, but hinders adds to the problem of backlogs of pend­ Zambia alone. The second largest single the voluntary repatriation of refugees ing asylum applications. nationality group of refugees is from the even for those who are keen to return With asylum seekers, refugees and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) home. immigrants competing for limited employ­ who are mainly in Angola and Zambia. The region is also experiencing a ment, social and community amenities, Namibia is also home to nearly 6,000 ref­ steadily rising number of so-called ur­ tensions have unfortunately sometimes ugees from Angola. ban refugees and asylum seekers. In occurred. As a result, stricter policy, le­ In the other countries, the caseloads South Africa for instance, basically all gal and administrative control measures are more mixed, including refugees and the refugees and asylum seekers are have been resorted to, impacting asylum-seekers from the countries of the found and have to be dealt with in urban negatively on genuine asylum seekers Great Lakes Region and the Hom of Af­ environments. and refugees. rica, as well as many other countries Providing protection and material as- The refugee situation in southern throughout Africa and even beyond. Africa is characterized by protection Numerically, the largest number of the problems, which in some cases can be refugees is hosted in camps and settle­ quite serious. Asylum-seekers and refu­ ments as opposed to those located in gees have thus been refused entry into urban and peri-urban areas. The latter countries in which they seek asylum, re­ is the so-called phenomenon of "urban fused status, been detained and, in refugees". some cases, been subjected to inhuman South Africa has the most varied mix treatment. of nationalities as far as asylum-seekers While seeking to meet the refugee are concerned. They come from coun­ View needs and achieve durable solutions for tries not only in Africa, but others as far refugees in the region, UNHCR is also afield as Asia and Eastern Europe. Ac­ on equally concerned that the root causes cording to official figures, the govern­ of refugees should be addressed FidellisSwai ment receives an average of 1,000 new Refugees decisively, individually and collectively asylum applications per month. by all the nations and institutions of the On the whole, official refugee poli­ region. cies and laws in the region are of a pos­ sistance to refugee caseloads in urban UNHCR has signed a Memorandum itive nature. Virtually all the countries of settings can pose considerable challeng­ of Understanding with SADC, mainly to the region have acceded to the three es. The efforts required are labour-inten­ collaborate in related initiatives of ad­ main refugee instruments - The 1951 sive and services on the whole involve a dressing the root causes of refugees in UN Convention relating to the status of much higher per capita cost. the region including, among other things, refugees; its 1967 Protocol; and the 1969 In a situation where funding availa­ conflict resolutions, information sharing OAU Convention Governing the Specif­ bility does not always match the needs, and emergency response preparedness ic Aspects of Refugee Problems in Afri­ the quality and quantity of services pro­ mechanisms. ca. This year is the 50th anniversary of vided to refugees can be a source of pre­ UNHCR programmes covered under the UN Convention on Refugees. occupation. its "Southern Africa" management struc­ In general terms, SADC countries In fact the region's leaders have tures are those in Angola, Botswana, have kept their doors open for those ar­ openly voiced concern about what is Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mala­ riving to seek asylum. viewed as the disparity and imbalance in wi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, The region has also been the scene the assistance provided to Africa's refu­ Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, for some of the most successful volun­ gees, not only with regard to the availa­ Zambia and Zimbabwe. D tary repatriation operations in the early bility of assistance, but also its appro­ 1990s, including the return to their priateness and speed of delivery. homes of 48,000 Namibian refugees, 1.6 Other challenges in the region in­ The author, Fidellis Swai, is a Tan­ million Mozambicans and 15,000 South clude the abuse of asylum procedures. zanian journalist and senior external Africans. Often, people moving into and within the relations officer at the UNHCR Region­ One of the biggest challenges being region from in and outside the continent al Office for Southern Africa based in faced by governments and the UN High seek not only international protection, Pretoria, South Africa.

12 SADCTODAY, Apru2000 COMMUNITY BUILDING , culture & sport 2000 SADC secondarv schools Cosala Castle essav competition launched Cup kicks on his year's Council of South­ he 2000 edition of the SADC Sec­ The prize money for the winners of ern African Football Asso­ ondary Schools essay competi­ the competition in each member state is ciations (COSAFA) Castle tion has been launched, accord­ US$300 for the first prize, US$200 for sec­ T T Cup kicked off in Zimbabwe as the ing to a statement from the Secretariat in ond prize and US$100 for third prize. The host scrapped through to the Botswana. The competition is coordinat­ three winners from each member state quarter-finals at the expense of Le­ ed by SADC National Contact Points in will then compete at the regional level. sotho. conjunction with the relevant authori­ The prizes for the regional winners The much fancied Zimbabwe ties in each member state. will be US$1,000forthefirstprize, US$750 Warriors, had fallen behind a Masu­ The topic for this year is "HIVI AIDS: for second prize and US$500 for third pha Majara 10 minute goal, but man­ How does it affect you; what can you prize. In addition, the three regional win­ aged to fight back to win the game do to contain the spread of the disease; ners would travel to Windhoek, Namibia by two goals to Lesotho's one. and what do you propose for the SADC to participate at the opening ceremony Lesotho, showing character and region?" The topic is aimed at raising of the Summit later in the year. composure gave the Zimbabweans the consciousness of secondary school This is the second year the competi­ a torrid time but faltered when it mat­ children in the region to the seriousness tion has been held. Last year the compe­ tered most, succumbing to a 90 of this pandemic. tition was won by a student from Naledi minute decisive goal that sent the The competitors are expected to dis­ Secondary School in Gaborone, Basotho out of the competition at cuss the impact of HIVI AIDS on the in­ Botswana. the early stage. dividual, the family, at national and re­ All interested students and schools Zimbabwe now join holders An­ gional levels. The length of the essay should contact the SADC National Con­ gola, Namibia and Swaziland in the should be between 2,000 and 2,500 tact Point in their countries for further quarter-finals scheduled for May and words. details.o June. In other preliminary round match­ es, Zambia meets Botswana in Lusa­ ka, and South Africa hosts Mauri­ Harare braces tor arts festival-- tius, while Mozambique plays Mala­ arare International Festival of wi. The competition is being funded the Arts (HIFA) scheduled to be by South African Breweries. H held from 26 April to 1 May 2000 in Zimbabwe will present performances by regional and international artists in outreach programmes and partnerships. the areas of music, dance, theatre, and The organisers have forged partnerships visual arts. with the National Gallery and National The HIFA performances have a pan­ Arts Council of Zimbabwe. Africanist collaboration approach and The exhibitions have been pro­ are cross-cultural. Manuel Bagorro, a grammed to broaden existing National Zimbabwean-born pianist, says there Gallery audiences. The festival has a will be female vocalists shows combin­ community outreach project targeting ing Princess Cynthia from Ghana, Dor­ junior and senior school children and in­ othy Masuku from Zimbabwe and Glo­ tends to facilitate 300 disadvantaged chil­ Manuel Bagorro · Executive director of the ria Bosman from South Africa. dren attend the HIFA functions. Harare International Festival of the Arts Top gospel groups from Zimbabwe The focus of the event is regional and South Africa will take part in a con­ have a Zimbabwean focus. When he and international collaboration and also cert named "Celebration of Gospel Mu­ came back to Harare in April 1998 he building cultural tourism. The festival sic." Other performances to look forward worked towards making the vision real also aims at artists being innovative by to are contemporary theatre Zimbabwe and 1999 saw the inauguration of HIFA. bringing new performances and ideas. - Zambia collaboration called "Shades The 1999 HIFA was enthusiastically re­ Some performances to look forward of grey" and dance-drama Mozambique­ ceived by the corporate world, the local to are the British premiere of David Fan­ Zimbabwe collaboration called "For all and international community. Sponsors shawe called "African Sanctus" which things." of the event included local financial in­ is a Latin mass integrated with African The festival is the brainchild of Ba­ stitutions, hotels and blue chip corpora­ music recorded on a cross shaped pil­ gorro. While living in London he always tions. grimage throughout Northwest Africa in dreamt of starting something new and For this year HIFA will last six days the 1970s, British opera, and Dallas black international in the arts area that would and is expanding its operations through dance theatre. D SADC TODAY, April 2000 13 AROUN.D THE REGION newsbriefs. SADC and ECOWAS to cooperate ozambican President Joaquim group that will coordinate various sec­ nas Savimbi, who has been declared a Chissano said in Maputo, on tors. He noted that these are the two war criminal, Chissano said that Unita's M30 March, that SADC, of which most successful regional organizations structure and Savimbi's position might he is the chairperson, is to work closely on the continent, and should come to­ change and so make a dialogue possi­ with the Economic Community of West gether to attain the objective of African ble. Several states and organizations are African States (ECOWAS) in an effort to Union. "Each organization was created working for that change of positions, he create an African Union. as a step towards African integration," added. The idea of an African Union was said Chissano. For his part, Konare said that Mali is launched during meetings of the Organ­ Speaking of the present situation, prepared to cooperate with Mozambique ization of African Unity (OAU). where Mozambique is suffering the ef­ in various sectors. Chissano was speaking shortly after fects of catastrophic flooding, Chissa­ "Just because a country has few re­ a meeting with his Malian counterpart, no said that SADC is to create a perma­ sources, that does not mean that it can­ Alpha Oumar Konare, who is the chair­ nent body for the management of natu­ not cooperate with another country," he man of the West African regional organ­ ral disasters, and ECOWAS can help said, adding that the two countries "can ization, and arrived in Maputo on 31 with its experience. Answering a ques­ work together in agriculture, human re­ March, for a one day visit. tion on how SADC envisages the pos­ sources, democratic experience and in Chissano explained that the meeting sibility of negotiating with the Angolan efforts to consolidate peace. There is a broached bilateral cooperation between rebel movement Unita and its leader Jo- wide field for cooperation". (AIM)D the two countries, between the two re­ gional organizations, and other issues­ such as the conflicts in the Great Lakes Hero's welcome tor Malawi rescue workers - region and in Angola. As for cooperation between SADC ere were celebratory military pa­ and the most memorable," he noted. and ECO WAS, he said that preparations ades and handshakes in Blantyre Masamba said the 14-member Mala­ are under way to establish a working when the Malawian contingent wi crew whisked to safety a total of 1, that formed part of the multi-national res­ 071 people from tree- and roof-tops and cue mission in neighbouring Mozam­ ferried 64 7 government officials and Floods hit tourism - bique returned in their two helicopters. members of international relief agencies. "You made all Malawians proud; the He said his contingent also helped he countries of southern Africa, Commander-in-Chief and the whole to transport 152 tonnes of food and med­ reeling from the effects of floods country is proud of you," said Defence ical supplies including 52,306 non-food T that wreaked havoc since Febru­ Minister Rodwell Munyenyembe. items like temporary shelter and other life­ ary, have experienced a drop in tourism, Maj. Augustine Masamba. who was saving materials like boats and their en­ especially in the wildlife and ecotourism in charge of air operations in the Beira gines and accessories used in the res­ sectors, news reports have said Industry section of the rescue mission, told the cue operations. officials reportedly said overseas tourists officers and men who came to welcome Malawi was the second country af­ were concerned about the threat of ma­ them that theirs was a "mission accom­ ter the South African Defence Force to laria and other water-borne diseases and plished." respond to requests by Mozambican au­ that a number of wildlife lodges have had Masamba said his most memorable thorities for help. cancellations because the rains have ren­ experience was seeing desperate people, President Bakili Muluzi told journal­ dered game drives and walks impossible especially women and children, perched ists that despite Malawi's own problem, Mozambique, hardest hit by the floods, on roof- and tree-tops crying out to be the country had to react to its neigh­ has seen its flow of foreign tourists re­ rescued. "That was the saddest moment bour's plight. (PANA)D duced to a trickle, added the reports. Even in parts of the country that have not been affected by the floods, business Mauritius to set up economic crime onice has reportedly dried up because of wrong perceptions that the whole country was he Mauritius government will set guilty of economic crimes. Fines between under water. up an Economic Crime Office to 500,000 and 1 million rupees and a pris­ South Africa's eastern province of T deal with economic crimes and on sentence of three to five years are Mpumalanga, which also experienced money-laundering. also anticipated," David said. flooding, has seen tourism fading off af­ The bill was recently unveiled to the The bill which is destined to combat ter visitors cancelled their bookings be­ public by the government spokesman, money-laundering has been on the agen­ cause of the wet weather. A manager of a James Burty David. The bill does not da of the government for years. luxury wilderness camp in the province authorise payment of more than 350,000 Its introduction has been welcomed reportedly said they lost 120 bed nights rupees in cash (25 rupees= 1 US dollar). both by the private sector and foreign because of the rains. "But the roads are "We will seek the co-operation of countries. (PANA)D fine now," the manager said. (lrin)D foreign countries in a bid to track those

14 SADCTODAY, Apru2000 BOOl