SADC TODAY Vol. 14.1 No 1 December 2011
The Year 2011
SOUTHERN AFRICA took another step (RECs) include those along the North-South towards regional integration this year, with Corridor, which traverses eight countries in achievements as well as challenges in trade southern and eastern Africa, stretching integration, energy, conservation, and gender between the ports of Dar es Salaam and equality. Durban. POLICY 3 The main indicator of trade integration An initial US$1.2 billion was raised in was the formal launch of negotiations by April 2009 to upgrade regional infrastructure, CLIMATE CHANGE 4 SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and including more than 8,000 kilometres of roads Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East and 600km of rail, as well as ports and energy FOOD SECURITY 5 African Community (EAC) to establish an transmission lines. INFRASTRUCTURE 6 integrated market covering 26 countries, half SADC continues to experience serious of Africa. energy shortfalls as it advances toward the TRADE 7 The proposed Tripartite Free Trade Area is desired surplus power generation, expected expected to boost intra-regional trade by in 2014 if short term power projects are ENERGY 8-10 creating a wider market, more investment implemented on time. BUSINESS BRIEFS 11 flows, stronger competition, and the Power utilities who are members of the development of cross-regional infrastructure. Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) have CHINA-AFRICA 12 This “Grand” FTA would offer a identified priority projects for commissioning combined market of more than 600 million over the next few years, and the region is ELECTIONS 13 people and a Gross Domestic Product of slowly turning to renewable energy as the COMMUNITY 14 about US$1 trillion, opening borders to move towards cleaner, alternative energy literally half of the continent, spanning the gains momentum through development of EVENTS 15 entire southern and eastern regions of Africa renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro HISTORY TODAY 16 – from the Cape to Cairo. and wind. Major infrastructure projects planned by the three Regional Economic Communities continued on page 2... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The Year 2011
The 2011 Summit of SADC although some countries will Rajoelina seized power from called on the Ministerial Task Heads of State and not participate. Nine President Marc Ravalomanana Force on Regional Economic Government reviewed the member states have ratified in a public demonstration Integration to deepen debate implementation of the Protocol, leaving four backed by the military. on how to protect the region infrastructure programmes signatories to do so, while SADC mediation efforts in from external shocks. including the Zimbabwe- Botswana and Mauritius Lesotho were successfully The Ministerial Task Force Zambia-Botswana-Namibia continue to refuse to sign, concluded, and ongoing in was established this year to (ZiZaBoNa) interconnector for saying respectively that they Zimbabwe, where elections are identify priorities to reorient electricity and underscored the cannot meet the targets or have expected next year following a the SADC integration agenda, importance of infrastructure, reservations about certain referendum on a new and Summit urged the Task urging speedy conclusion of clauses. Constitution. Force to engage in strategic the Infrastructure Master Plan. The SADC region had The SADC Summit held in discussions in this regard in In 2011, SADC established made significant advances in Luanda, Angola in August the context of review of the the world’s largest Trans equal representation of women reviewed the socio-economic Regional Indicative Strategic Frontier park when five and men in politics and situation in the region, noting Development Plan (RISDP). countries signed the treaty for decision-making, towards the improvement in the macro- The proposed SADC the Kavango-Zambezi Trans SADC and African Union economic performance Customs Union, postponed Frontier Conservation Area target of “50-50 by 2015”, indicators in 2010 over 2009, since 2010, is one of the (KAZA TFCA), involving however the past two years such as growth in real average subjects for study by the Task Angola, Botswana, Namibia, have seen a serious reversal in GDP which stood at 4.9 Force to expedite work Zambia and Zimbabwe and progress with the number of percent, investments which leading to a common covering an area of some 444, women in parliament and improved to 24.9 percent of understanding and agreement 000 square kilometres. cabinet actually going down in GDP, and a decline in inflation on the proposed customs As the year drew to a close, most countries that held to 7.5 percent. union, which would allow South Africa hosted a major elections. global conference on climate In Zambia, only two change tasked with negotiating women were appointed a consensus on the future of the ministers in a trimmed 19- Kyoto Protocol that expires in member Cabinet, representing 2012. just 10.5 percent. The 17th Conference of Five SADC Member States Parties to the United Nations held elections this year, based Framework Convention on on the SADC Principles Climate Change (known as and Guidelines Governing COP17) offered an opportunity Democratic Elections, and a for the global community to SADC Elections Observation President José Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola (left) is the current chair reach agreement towards a Mission (SEOM) was of SADC from August 2011 to August 2012, and President Jacob Zuma common goal. By the end of the dispatched to each election to of South Africa chairs the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security conference, they had agreed to determine conformity with Cooperation during the same period. continue talking for another regional and international three years. standards. SADC Summit had urged The people of the Most SADC countries SADC Member States to have all Member States to support Democratic Republic of Congo continued to make a steady a common external tariff. the African common position. (DRC), Mauritius, Seychelles recovery from the global Summit also reviewed 2011 was the year that the and Zambia went to the polls financial crisis that has affected HIV and AIDS in the key focus SADC Protocol on Gender and for national elections, while most of the world since 2008 areas of prevention, treatment, Development received enough South Africans voted for and most are expected to care and support, and noted ratifications to enter into force, municipal councillors in local record economic growth rates that the region has recorded a although delays in depositing elections. well above 5 percent in 2011 on significant decline in new documents with the SADC In Madagascar, SADC the back of strong performance infections since 2009. Secretariat may move that continued with its mediation by the key sectors of Summit noted progress in milestone into 2012. efforts and in a major agriculture, mining and the regional food security The challenge remains breakthrough, the Malagasy manufacturing. situation, in cereal, non-cereal, in domestication and parties have agreed to hold However, Summit noted and livestock production, and implementation of the Protocol, general elections in 2012. the need to remain alert to the urged Member States to and SADC gender ministers Madagascar slid into political risks posed by financial and increase production, diversity have initiated a process turmoil in March 2009 when economic volatilities in and promote income- towards a regional action plan, opposition leader Andry developed economies and generating opportunities. r
2 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 POLICY
SADC approves plan to cut emissions from forest degradation
SADC MINISTERS res- This will strengthen unregulated logging. All these other sources, making ponsible for environment and capacities of countries to are connected to high sustainable management and natural resources have design REDD+ policies and population growth, persistent conservation of SADC forests approved a regional plan to programmes, while at the poverty, increased energy as well as fire management help Member States to tap same time providing a demand and weak regulation particularly urgent mitigation into benefits derived from framework for strategic and management of forests. measures. reducing emissions from cooperation among SADC According to the SADC There is also pressure to deforestation. Member States on issues of REDD programme document, increase the area under The programme document regional interest. biomass carbon losses from agriculture to meet the food on “SADC Support Implementation of REDD+ deforestation in the region requirements of the growing Programme on Reducing is expected to complement, amount to 54 percent of those population at the expense of Emission from Deforestation facilitate and enhance the from the entire continent. forestry. and Forest Degradation existing regional policies and Rural and urban demand Rural industries use (REDD)” was approved protocols on Forestry, Wildlife for wood fuel has increased substantial amounts of wood during a meeting in Management and Trans and is expected to continue to burn bricks, smoke fish, Windhoek, Namibia. Frontier Conservation Areas rising due to growing cure tobacco, brew beer and In the document, Member (TFCAs) for management of populations and macro- to dry salt. The equivalent of States have agreed to biological diversity. economic changes. Most one hectare of woodland is coordinate inter and intra- SADC becomes the first urban areas in the SADC cut to cure each hectare of sector activities and to push regional organization in Africa region are surrounded by tobacco. for policy harmonization of to agree on a comprehensive cleared land, the result of The SADC REDD national REDD programmes, programme to support intensive woodcutting to programme is in line with the as well as to develop Member States in their efforts supply the urban demand for region’s focus on adaptation, monitoring systems for forests to combat climate change and fuel wood. which has been the region’s and carbon emissions and aim achieve their development Carbon emissions from position going into the for the establishment of goals through reduced combined deforestation and climate change negotiations reference emission and other emissions in the forestry degradation are over five at COP17 in Durban, South REDD targets. sector. times larger than those from all Africa. r The programme creates a Climate change is common regional framework threatening the ecosystems on how to implement and livelihoods in the SADC “REDD+” activities on similar region and its impacts are Reducing Emission from Deforestation forest ecosystems, including already being felt in many and Forest Degradation those whose distribution areas that are affected by straddles political boundaries. droughts, floods, cyclones and REDD Programme Priorities “REDD+” goes beyond what rising sea levels. REDD is preoccupied with, Since 1990, southern Africa that is deforestation and forest has witnessed high rates of degradation, to include the deforestation contributing MEMBER STATES agreed to coordinate inter and role of conservation and approximately one-third of the intra-sector activities and policy harmonization for sustainable management of forested area lost in Africa over national REDD programmes, as well as: forests. the past 20 years. Between International engagement on REDD and climate The framework will 1990 and 2000, forest cover in change processes; enable Member States to the region dropped from 3.8 Capacity development to manage regional and address issues of illegal trade million sq km to 3.57 million national REDD programmes; in forest products and sq km, representing an concerns about “leakages” average decrease of 0.6 percent Systems to monitor forests and carbon; where forest protection per annum. Establishment of reference emission and or sustainable forest The major drivers of reference levels for REDD; management in one country deforestation in the region Knowledge management for REDD; and may result in illegal activities have been identified as the Sustainable funding mechanisms for REDD. r or unsustainable practices expansion of agriculture, being exported elsewhere. shifting cultivation and
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 3 CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate change negotiations to continue
THE 17th Conference of the the magnitude of these figures, Parties (COP17) to the and there are only pledges that United Nations Framework are not binding on developed Convention on Climate Change nations. meeting in Durban, South The fund, which is Africa, has failed to produce an currently empty, intends to international agreement to raise and disburse US$100 address climate change. billion a year by 2020, starting Instead, negotiations are with US$30 billion by 2012. expected to continue until a The funds are meant to global solution is found “not assist developing countries to later than 2015”. In the adapt to floods, droughts and meantime, a compromise deal other effects caused by climate called the Durban Platform for change, while supporting Enhanced Action, will guide developing countries to limit negotiations towards a global and reduce greenhouse gas agreement. emissions and adapt establishment of a group The Durban Platform, economies and called the Ad Hoc Working though representing a small infrastructure to a changing Group on the Durban step towards a global deal, climate. Platform for Enhanced falls short of the expectations Climate experts note that Action, designed to improve of most developing countries developing countries, the coordination of as it does not address their particularly those in Africa, are adaptation actions on a concerns on a number of already experiencing changes global scale, as well as the issues, including cuts in in the cycle of floods and creation of a Technology carbon emission levels as well droughts due to rising Mechanism. Both are to as increased finance, temperatures, even though become operational in technology and capacity their combined share of carbon 2012. building for adaptation and emissions is insignificant. The global community risk management. On the Kyoto Protocol, also agreed to set up an Chairperson of the African which is a critical instrument threatened to pull out. The Adaptation Committee, Group of Negotiators, in addressing climate change, United States is not a party to composed of 16 members, representing 53 African the global community agreed the Protocol while Canada has which will report to the COP countries in the climate change to a second commitment just pulled out. on its efforts to improve the negotiations, Tosi Mpanu of period. While the text adopted coordination of adaptation the Democratic Republic of The second period is recognises that deeper cuts in actions at a global scale. Congo, said the Durban expected to start in January carbon emissions are needed, Governments agreed to set declaration does little to 2013 after parties turn their these are not legally binding up a registry to record address climate change. economy-wide targets into and experts suggest that the mitigation actions by “It (outcome) has attempted quantified emissions limits or latest pledges would lead to a developing countries that to reach some middle ground, reduction objectives. Parties to 3.2°C rise in temperature, far access financial support. but the outcome lacks the agreement are expected to higher than the 2°C generally The conference adopted balance,” he said. submit these targets for review considered by the procedures to allow carbon- For example, Durban by May 2012. Intergovernmental Panel of capture and storage projects. provided nothing of substance While this signals a positive Climate Change to be a safe These guidelines will be on finance required to step towards a climate change level of warming. reviewed every five years capacitate developing deal, there are concerns that This explains why Africa to ensure environmental countries to deal with climate the Protocol could only be has insisted that the developed integrity. change. implemented in 2015. countries must cut emissions COP17 was held from 28 Whilst there was talk to The Kyoto Protocol is the to at least 40 percent below the November to 10 December. operationalize the Green only legally binding treaty the 1990 levels by 2020, and reach There was high expectation Climate Fund, there was no world presently has to combat at least 80 percent below 1990 that the conference would clarity on how the fund would climate change. levels by 2050 since they are provide an opportunity for the be capitalized. However, some major the biggest emitters. global community to reach a Furthermore, developing polluters have either not Other significant outcomes binding agreement on countries are sceptical about acceded to the Protocol or from Durban included the addressing climate change. r
4 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 FOOD SECURITY
Another good harvest forecast, despite late start to rains
HALFWAY THROUGH the southern part of Madagascar, South Africa, extreme south- harvests during the 2011/12 2011/12 farming season, the according to the latest climate western Zimbabwe, southern farming season despite the average rainfall situation outlook published by the Mozambique and Swaziland late start to the rains and looks bright for most of SADC Climate Services Centre are expected to have increased initial problems in accessing southern Africa, pointing to in December. chances of receiving above- inputs by farmers in some the prospects of another good The south-western half of normal to normal rainfall countries. cereal harvest for the region. Angola, most of Namibia, during the forecast period. “Latest rainfall forecasts Enhanced chances of Botswana, Lesotho, central In contrast, the northern indicate that most parts of the normal to above-normal half of Tanzania and western region may receive normal to rainfall are forecast between Madagascar are forecast to above normal rains during the December 2011 and February December 2011- February have increased chances of period November 2011 to 2012 in the north-eastern half 2012 Outlook normal to below-normal January 2012. Should this be of Angola, Democratic rainfall. realized and farmers are able to Republic of Congo, Malawi, The SADC Climate timely access inputs, the region most of Mozambique, south- Services Centre attributed may have another good harvest western United Republic of the favourable rainfall in 2012,” said the update Tanzania, Zambia and most forecast to the presence of La released in December. r of Zimbabwe. Nina conditions which are Similar conditions are associated with heavy rains forecast for the extreme in southern Africa. SADC seeks to south-western part of South “The current La Nina event Africa, extreme south of is expected to contribute to improve regional Namibia and the extreme the shifting of rainfall seed supply conditions into the normal to above normal conditions for SOUTHERN AFRICA has Slight drop in 2011 cereal harvest most of the contiguous SADC launched a Seed Centre region. However some parts, housed at the SADC Plant FINAL REGIONAL estimates The update also showed particularly the north-eastern Genetic Resources Centre in indicate a 2011 SADC cereal that at least 2.86 million portions, should get below Lusaka, Zambia to facilitate production of 33.06 million people in the region have poor normal rainfall,” the centre implementation of the SADC tonnes, which is down five access to food this year. said. Harmonised Seed Regulatory percent on the 2010 harvest of “The number of food Assessments by the SADC System. 34.64 million tonnes. insecure populations had Food Security Early Warning Launched in November, The SADC Food Security increased in most countries, System in October showed the Seed Centre aims to Update in October attributed with the exception of Malawi that most SADC Member improve the use of improved the decline to a 12 percent and Swaziland,” it said. r States should record good seed varieties by smallholder reduction in cereal production farmers in the region. in South Africa. Comparison of Cereal Production for 2010, 2011 According to Simon “Individually, productions Mwale, a Programme Officer of both maize (26.63 million Cereal Production (000 tonnes) for Cereals Production at the tonnes) and sorghum/millet 2010 2011 % Change SADC Secretariat, the use of (2.26 million tonnes) went improved seed among small- down by eight percent each in Angola 1,178 677 -42 scale farmers is low in most 2011 compared to 2010, while Botswana 55 42 -24 SADC Member States, yet productions of wheat and rice Lesotho 137 73 -47 these farmers produced up to increased by 33 percent and 22 Malawi 3,572 4,080 14 80 percent of the main food percent to 2.35 million tonnes Mauritius 2 2 0 crops in the region. and 1.82 million tonnes, Mozambique 2,641 2,935 11 The SADC Harmonised respectively,” the update said. Namibia 155 117 -25 Seed Regulatory System aims Significant reductions in South Africa 15,122 13,277 -12 to increase the seed varieties cereals in Angola and Swaziland 75 89 18 available to farmers, promote Namibia were due to Tanzania 7,095 6,787 -4 investment in the seed sector destruction of crops by floods Zambia 3,078 3,346 9 and make it easier and while in Lesotho production Zimbabwe 1,534 1,652 8 cheaper for seed companies to was negatively affected by SADC 34,643 33,057 -5 introduce seed varieties in *No data for DRC, Madagascar and Seychelles. Member States. r water-logging conditions. Source SADC Food security update
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 5 INFRASTRUCTURE
SADC prioritises 23 water projects
SADC MEMBER States have The selected projects, chosen Project being developed by regionally, across borders and prioritised 23 projects for the from 66 proposals submitted Zambia and Zimbabwe, and in each of the water promotion and development of by Member States, will focus the Songwe River Basin infrastructure sectors,” SADC water infrastructure within the on hydropower generation, Development Programme, an Executive Secretary, Tomaz region. and improved agricultural eight-year US$329 million Augusto Salomão, said in a According to the SADC production through irrigation, project jointly proposed by Foreword to the report. Regional Portfolio of Water as well as water supply and Malawi and the United He noted that most of the Infrastructure Priority Projects sanitation. Republic of Tanzania. (See Table) projects can be developed in an Report, the 23 projects have The projects will be “The outcomes developed integrated manner to support been identified as critical and of implemented by two or more in consultation with the the commitment to Integrated highest priority to Member countries that share a river basin. Member States highlight and Water Resources Management States and the region’s overall These include the US$3.5 billion clearly demonstrate that there (IWRM) which has been integration agenda. Batoka Gorge Hydropower are significant opportunities adopted by SADC. r
SADC Priority Water Projects Project Countries Status Duration Funding (US$) A. Regional Projects Inga 3 Hydropower DRC – shared regional electricity Pre-feasibility study done 24-36 months 7.6-10 billion Lesotho Highlands Lesotho, South Africa Agreement reached to Under discussion 2 billion Phase Two commence Phase 2 Batoka Gorge Hydropower Zambia, Zimbabwe Environmental Impact 24-36 months 3.5 billion Assessment (EIA) and Feasibility Study (FS) done Songwe River Basin Malawi, Tanzania FS and detailed design 8 years 329 million Development Programme being done
B. Cross Border Projects Food Security Project – Angola, Namibia Pre-FS done 12-18 months 66 million Upper Okavango Vaal-Gamagara Water Supply Botswana, South Africa Concept note 12 months Not specified Resano Garcia Weir Mozambique, South Africa Preliminary detailed design 6-12 months 6 million Water Supply Project and EIA done Lomahasha/Namaacha Swaziland, Mozambique Pre-FS done in Swaziland 12 months 13 million plus cost for Water Supply Project Mozambique Water Supply and Angola, Botswana, DRC,Malawi, Concept supported; 9-12 months 600,000 Sanitation for 12 Border Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, some pre-FS done Locations in Eight Countries Zimbabwe
C. Member State Priority Projects Lubango Phase 2 Water Angola Phase 1 funded and work 12-18 months 126 million Supply & Sanitation Project underway Limpopo Basin Joint Botswana, Mozambique, Parties agreed on doing 6-12 months 700,000 Water Monitoring Project South Africa, Zimbabwe project Kinshasa Water Supply and Sanitation DRC Pre-FS partially done Unknown 220 million (estimated) Lesotho Lowlands Water Lesotho Construction phase; 24-36 months 78 million Supply Scheme Zone 1 tender to be prepared Mombezi Dam (Multipurpose) Malawi FS done; pre-design underway 16 months 209 million 13 Housing Estates –Water Supply Mauritius Completed FS 21-24 months 10 million Movene Dam (Multipurpose) Mozambique Concept note done 12-18 months 10 million Windhoek Managed Aquifer Namibia Recharge infrastructure 18 months 55 million Recharge and wells in place Non-Revenue Water & Seychelles Master development plan done 18 months 69 million Use Efficiency Project Water Demand Management Project South Africa setting Expansion of scope needed 24-36 months Varies according to final Nondvo Dam (Multipurpose) Swaziland Pre-FS done 12-18 months 143 million Ruhuhu Valley Irrigation Project Tanzania Concept note done 12 months 12.3 million Climate Change Adaptation Project Zambia Project planned 24-48 months 13 million Bulawayo Water Supply from Zimbabwe FS and EIA completed 12-18 months 1.25 billion Zambezi River
Source SADC Secretariat 6 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 TRADE
Grand FTA negotiations to begin in December by Kizito Sikuka FIRST ROUND negotiations to establish a Tripartite Free Trade Area covering 27 countries in eastern and southern Africa are scheduled to start in December. This follows the adoption of principles, modalities and a roadmap for negotiations that were agreed at the second Tripartite summit of the The preparatory phase This Tripartite framework proposed African Economic Common Market for Eastern mainly involves the disclosure was born out of a realization Community, which has been a and Southern Africa and exchange of all relevant that the regional integration longstanding vision of the (COMESA), East African information, including processes of the three regional continent’s leaders since 1963 Community (EAC) and SADC existing national tariffs and communities were similar and at the formation of the held in South Africa this year. trade data and measures. This in some cases identical. Organization of African Unity Chairperson for the stage should also see the Thus, it was deemed (OAU). Tripartite Taskforce, which adoption of terms of reference prudent for the three Regional Thus, the creation of a is spearheading the and rules of procedure for the Economic Communities (RECs) “Grand” FTA is expected to implementation process, establishment of a Tripartite to cooperate and harmonize become a new benchmark for Sindiso Ngwenya said a lot of Trade Negotiating Forum. their trade, infrastructure and deeper regional and continental ground has been covered to The preparatory phase is other regional integration integration in Africa. begin negotiations. expected to last between six programmes. Some of the major “Pursuant to the roadmap and 12 months, after which The establishment of the infrastructure projects planned decided upon by the Summit, phase one of the negotiations Tripartite FTA is expected to by the three RECs include it is now planned that the first will commence. boost intra-regional trade by those along the North-South round of negotiations for the At this stage, negotiations creating a wider market, Corridor, which traverses Tripartite Free Trade Area will will cover core FTA issues of increased investment flows, eight countries in southern take place in Nairobi, Kenya in tariff liberalization, rules of enhanced competitiveness, and eastern Africa. December,” said Ngwenya, origin, customs procedures and the development of cross- An initial US$1.2 billion who is also the COMESA and simplification of customs regional infrastructure. was raised in April 2009 executive secretary. documentation, transit It will create an integrated to upgrade regional “It is envisaged that the procedures, non-tariff barriers, market with a combined infrastructure including over negotiations for establishing trade remedies and other population of approximately 8,000 kilometres of road and the Tripartite FTA would be technical barriers to trade and 600 million people and total 600km of rail as well as completed within the dispute resolution. Gross Domestic Product of upgrading of ports and energy timeframe of 36 months (or Phase two of negotiations is more than US$1 trillion. transmission lines. three years) as decided by the expected to cover trade in This would open up However, there is need for Tripartite Summit in June,” he services and other trade- borders of literally half of the more effort in areas such as added. related issues such as continent, spanning the entire energy generation and According to the roadmap, intellectual property rights, southern and eastern regions transmission as well as road negotiations for the so-called competition policy, and of Africa – from Cape to Cairo. infrastructure to ensure that “Grand” FTA will be trade development and The FTA will serve as one of the process of deeper conducted in different phases. competitiveness. the building blocks of the integration is fully achieved. COMESA-EAC-SADC initiated their joint cooperation programme just three years ago in Kampala, Uganda at their First Tripartite Summit, where leaders agreed on a programme of harmonization of trading arrangements to promote the smooth movement of goods and services across member states. sardc.net r
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 7 Major reserves of natural gas
RECENT FINDINGS of natural gas reserves in a number of southern African countries may point to a huge potential for exploitation of the resource in a region presently grappling with a crippling energy deficit. The east coast of Africa has emerged in the past few years as one of the brightest spots on the global energy landscape, with large natural gas finds in Mozambique and the United Republic of Tanzania. Exploration has also taken place in all the other SADC Member States although the exact amounts of reserves are unknown for these countries. Some of the major natural gas findings in the region are highlighted here, as well as the potential impact this has on the energy situation in SADC. Natural gas – the future of energy
Mozambique New offshore natural gas finds along the Mozambique coast are "Three offshore gas fields have been discovered in the deep expected to be a “game changer” for the country and the southern waters and plans are underway to appraise the gas fields for African region. possible development," Ngeleja said. United States-based firm Anadarko Petroleum Corporation has This brings the total number of gas fields found in the country's sharply raised its estimate for the amount of natural gas contained offshore area to seven. in a big field it has found off the coast of Mozambique. Tanzania had previously discovered gas deposits in four areas - Anadarko announced in November that it had increased the - Songo Songo Island off the east coast, in nearby West Songo Songo, estimate of recoverable natural gas resources from the four Mnazi Bay in southeastern Tanzania, and Mkuranga near Dar es discoveries made in its Offshore Area One block to between 15 Salaam. trillion and 30 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas. "Preliminary indications show that Tanzania may The Texas-based company had initially said the field contained 6 have sizeable gas reserves of more than 10 trillion tcf of gas, a figure it later raised to 10 tcf in October, before going to 15 cubic feet which can beneficially be developed tcf in November. To put the figures into context, the amount of gas discovered in the Anadarko block would be enough to meet one year's gas consumption by the US which requires about 30 tcf per annum. Anadarko's chief executive, James Hackett, said the revised estimate increased the company's confidence that "this could be one of the most important natural-gas fields discovered in the last 10 years." The announcement came just a month after Italian energy giant, Eni SpA, announced that it has found 22.5 tcf of gas off Mozambique's coast—the biggest such exploration discovery in the company's history. These large findings are big enough to sustain the construction of a large Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Mozambique, which would catapult the SADC to meet our local demand and for export," he Member State into the league of the world’s largest gas exporters. said. Two of the natural gas discoveries are already United Republic of Tanzania supplying gas to the country's commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, The gas-rich waters offshore of the United Republic of Tanzania to produce electricity and to power industries. have recently attracted a number of big players, including Exxon Mobil, Statoil ASA of Norway and BG Group PLC. South Africa Tanzania's current natural gas reserves have risen to more than South Africa, like Tanzania, already has a gas market and is actively 10 tcf from a previous estimate of 7.5 tcf following major gas promoting the use of natural gas as an alternative source of energy. discoveries in the country's deepwater offshore region. According to South African Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters, Energy and Minerals Minister William Ngeleja announced in coal-bed methane was no longer regarded “as an obstacle in the September that the SADC Member State had earmarked some of its coal mining sector but was instead fast becoming known as a gas deposits for export. commercially viable energy source.”
8 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 beds within the Kalahari Karoo Basin area contain a significant amount of gas reserves, which have potential to be further developed. The government of Botswana is encouraging the private sector to come onboard and continue with the exploration and further development of the gas fields.
Angola According to the state-owned Angolan natural gas exploration company, Sonagas, the exact amount of natural gas reserves in Angola is unknown but estimated at above 11 tcf. As in most SADC Member States, the lack of accurate data on natural gas reserves in Angola is due in part to the absence of dedicated investment as well as non-existence of a legal and contractual framework that in southern Africa? promotes the exploration and development of natural gas in the country.
“It is also increasingly important that we collaborate with our Conclusion neighbours such as Mozambique (with whom we already have long While current discourse in the SADC energy sector, and indeed term cooperation on gas supply), Namibia, Angola, Botswana and globally, has focused on renewable energy sources, the Zimbabwe,” Peters told journalists on the sidelines of the 17th recent findings of huge natural gas reserves point to a stronger Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations case for substituting the existing coal and oil sources with Framework Convention on Climate Change that took place in natural gas. Durban, South Africa from 28 November to 9 December. The discoveries come at a time when the importance of natural She said regional cooperation similar to that which is well- gas in the global energy balance is rising. Concerns about climate established in Europe is essential if southern Africa is to tackle change are pushing power companies to switch from coal and oil energy development successfully. to cleaner-burning gas in electricity generation, and its potential as South Africa already imports a substantial a transport fuel is also being widely explored. amount of gas from Mozambique, which is According to the International Energy Outlook (IEO) of 2000, natural gas is the fastest growing component of primary global energy consumption. Gas utilisation is projected to more than double between 1997 and 2020, reaching 167 tcf per annum. The forecast within this period is that the share of total energy consumption will increase from 22 percent in 1997 to about 29 percent by 2020. At present, gas accounts for a very small percentage of energy usage in southern Africa. Natural gas is not only beneficial in that it has less carbon content than coal and crude oil, but gas- fired plants require less water, have shorter construction times, and have lower capital costs per unit of capacity when compared to coal-fired plants. The transition towards gas usage also has social primarily used for gas-to-liquid plants and benefits. It presents an excellent opportunity to reduce dependence other industrial processes. on biomass. Peters said plans are currently underway to More than 70 percent of the 270 million people in SADC construct a gas-fired power plant with 140 megawatts capacity presently depend on biomass such as woodfuel for their energy through a joint venture between Sasol and Mozambique’s power requirements. utility Hidroelectrica de Cahora Bassa. Energy reforms in the region also provide the underpinnings of a vibrant future gas industry, as the reforms are increasingly leading Botswana to a distinction between public policies and private investment and Botswana announced in January that preliminary findings operation. pointed to 196 tcf of coal bed methane in the Central Kalahari The reforms have mainly focused on strengthening energy Karoo Basin. strategy formulation, with increased focus on environmental A Coalbed Methane Exploration Study initiated by the sustainability, involvement by local communities, and gender country's Department of Geological Survey revealed that the coal equality. r
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 9 ENERGY
Southern African Power Pool SAPP to add 1,600MW of new power in 2012 THE SOUTHERN African for commissioning this Power Pool (SAPP) expects to year. commission projects that will According to SAPP, new add about 1,600 Megawatts power is expected to come (MW) of new power in 2012, from Angola, Botswana, the rising to a cumulative Democratic Republic of Congo, 17,000MW by 2015. Lesotho, Namibia, Republic of Mozambique plans to increase output This is slightly higher Tanzania, South Africa and than the 1,250MW planned Zambia. (see Table) r of Cahora Bassa power
MOZAMBIQUE PLANS to Bassa (HCB) and private raise output at the Cahora investors. Bassa hydroelectric dam “The main project we have from 2,100MW to about is the north-central part of 3,200MW over the next Cahora Bassa dam, which will five years to meet rising bring an additional 1,245MW demand in the country and of power,” Muxanga said. in the southern African Currently, power is generated region. only at the southern part of Cahora Bassa’s chief Cahora Bassa. executive Paulo Muxanga said Geological and hydro- the project will cost around logical studies will be US$1 billion and is expected to concluded by January 2012 be funded both by with construction expected to Hidroeléctrica de Cahora start in 2013. r Source SAPP Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) THE APPROVAL of a plan of Denmark to set up a enterprises on a mixed grant about 40,000 megawatts (MW) action to establish an energy Sustainable Energy Fund for and equity investment basis. of electricity. fund for Africa is expected to Africa (SEFA) is set to help The total amount set aside for Expectations are high that promote the exploration of unlock the much-needed this component is about US$30 these projects would be strong various energy sources to investment in the energy million. contenders for SEFA, although ensure that demand and sector. The creation of the energy accessing such funds may supply is evenly matched on According to the agreement fund for Africa is in line with prove to be complex. the continent. between the two sides, the new trends in the global To ensure that the region Africa is highly endowed energy fund would be used energy sector, which is slowly fully benefits from the fund, with energy resources such as for capacity building and changing to wider adoption of SADC needs to adopt a pro- hydropower, solar energy and investment in sustainable cleaner energy sources that active approach to access the wind power. However, limited energy projects over a five- result in less carbon emissions energy fund in order to boost finances and other challenges year period. to protect the environment. its energy generation and continue to hinder progress The budget for the fund is Southern Africa has production capacity. towards full exploitation of the DKK 300 million (about US$57 recorded steady progress This may include early resources. million). Ultimately, SEFA towards increasing its uptake preparation and identification For example, the African would become a multi-donor of renewable energy, with a of projects that would be Development Bank (AfDB) fund as soon as additional number of priority projects suitable for financing under estimates that hydropower partners agree to join. on cleaner and alternative SEFA. alone represents about 45 SEFA would provide two energy being identified for The region stands a better percent of Sub-Saharan financing windows, with the commissioning over the next chance of accessing the fund if Africa’s electric power first one aimed at supporting few years. it identifies projects with a generation, but only four the development and design of These projects include regional appeal instead of percent of the sub-continent’s renewable energy generation the Mphanda Nkuwa individual country projects commercially exploitable and distribution projects worth hydropower project in that do not promote regional potential has been tapped. more than US$30 million. Mozambique and the Inga integration since most The recent decision by the The second one will Dam project in DRC, which financiers prefer projects that AfDB and the government of support small to medium has the potential to produce have a regional impact. r
10 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 BUSINESS BRIEFS
BRICS ... South Africa backs common currency SOUTH AFRICA is backing BRICS, an acronym of the plans for a single currency five member states Brazil, unit within the BRICS Russia, India, China and grouping that the emerging South Africa, meets regularly economies could use to trade to discuss economic issues of among themselves and interest and also political circumvent the need for Euro concerns that each of the and dollar conversions. nations share. The idea, proposed in April It is estimated that the Europe and the United States challenges, the development when South Africa joined group holds nearly half of the are being eroded. would boost trade and Brazil, Russia, India and world's foreign reserves at a Although creating a single relations among the member China as a member of the time when the reserves in currency could have its countries who would no BRICS grouping, could cause longer have to use dollars or consternation in Europe given Euros to trade. Mail & the Euro-zone crisis which has Mozambique dependence on Guardian r brought into question the wisdom of single monetary foreign aid declining units not backed by a EPA talks progressing centralized fiscus. MOZAMBIQUE'S DEPEN- In the 2011 budget, 44.6 well DENCE on foreign aid is percent of expenditure was declining, Finance Minister covered by foreign aid while Botswana dam Manuel Chang told the the figure was 51.4 percent in THE LONG-STALLED trade country's parliament when 2010. negotiations between the completed ahead of European Union and southern schedule presenting the national budget Chang said the expected for 2012. decline in foreign aid, in African countries to create Chang said only 39.6 percentage terms, was due Economic Partnership CHINESE CONSTRUCTION percent of public expenditure mainly to “cautious Agreements (EPAs) are firm Sinohydro Botswana says will be covered by foreign calculations” by donor picking up pace again. it has completed construction grants and loans next year, with countries, who are themselves Following an EU-South of the Dikgatlhong dam ahead 60.4 percent of the budget to be under enormous budgetary Africa summit in September, of schedule and has submitted met from domestic resources. pressure. AIM r José Manuel de Morais Briosa a request for acceptance to the Gala, personal representative Botswana government to for Africa to the president of assess the project before the the European Commission, end of this year. Lesotho to revive textiles sector said there was “now The project, which willingness to close the commenced in March 2008, THE LESOTHO government omy, so we have to do what negotiations”. was expected to be completed plans to spend 100 million we can." The EPA negotiations have by February 2012 and maloti (about US$12.7 million) Lesotho's textile industry run into trouble across Africa commissioned the following over the next two years in an grew rapidly in the 1990s and and especially in southern month. effort to breathe life into the early 2000s, partly thanks to Africa, which is demanding “I am very proud to say crucial textile industry. the credit certification scheme better access to European that this dam project is one of "The objective... is to stabi- of the Southern Africa Cus- markets for its agricultural the few projects that were lize employment in the textile toms Union (SACU) that al- products. completed ahead of industry and provide capital lowed textile-exporting African countries have contractual timeframe. And for companies so that they can companies to earn rebates on been reluctant to sign the this is despite the challenges take advantage of the global duties paid on imports used EPAs, which target six we encountered during the [economic] recovery," Timothy for production. regional groups of former construction,” the dam Thahane, Minister of Finance However, the industry has European colonies. resident engineer, Boikanyo and Development Planning been hit hard in recent years. The EU announced that Mpho, said. said. The SACU scheme ended in countries that had not signed Dikgatlhong will be the "It's harder for African March 2010, while its main or ratified EPAs by 1 January largest dam in Botswana with countries to stay competitive, markets in the United States 2014 would lose duty- a capacity of 400 million cubic but this industry is really im- have reduced the import of free access to European metres. r portant to the Lesotho econ- textiles. r markets. r
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 11 CHINA-AFRICA
China-Africa Think Tank Forum aims to strengthen dialogue
by Joseph Ngwawi CHINA AND Africa have taken another step to strengthen relations with the launch of a forum to promote research and exchanges among think tanks. Representatives of research institutes, political and business leaders from China Second Decade of the New to convene its 1st meeting at CATFF will be instru- and 27 African countries Century”, the meeting this time,” the participants mental in setting up links gathered in the Chinese cities reviewed the achievements of said in a statement at the end among Chinese and African of Hangzhou and Jinhua at the the development of Sino- of the meeting. think tanks as well as scholars end of October for the first African relations in the past “We also believe it should from other parts of the world meeting of the China-Africa decade, analysed the existing be a shared platform and with an interest in Sino- Think Tank Forum (CATTF). problems and challenges in regular institution for African relations to conduct The new forum establishes a current Sino-African relations dialogue and exchanges dialogue, exchanges and mechanism for Chinese and and the outlook for between Chinese and African studies on the blossoming ties African think tanks to exchange development and areas of think tanks in the new era.” between China and Africa in a ideas and conduct cooperative potential innovation in the Sino-African cooperative bid to promote mutual work toward deeper under- next decade. relations have experienced understanding and offer standing and potential of “We regard the China- rapid development since 2000 policy recommendations. China-African relations. Africa Think Tank Forum as a and, powered by the core The forum has the full Held under the theme positive initiative and believe engine of the Forum on China- support of the FOCAC “Sino-African Relations in the that it is timely and necessary Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Follow-up Committee as a the growing ties have become further step to implement the one of the most significant China-Africa Joint Research areas in international relations and Exchange Programme, in the past decade. one of the eight measures “We are experiencing an announced by Chinese accelerated shift in global Premier Wen Jiabao at the power structures, with the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of long-established dominance of FOCAC in Sharm el Sheik, the West in structures of power, Egypt in November 2009. trade and economy being Participants at the launch challenged by the South and came from Angola, Botswana, East,” Essop Pahad, the former Cameroon, China, Democratic Minister in the Presidency in Republic of Congo, Republic South Africa under Thabo of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Mbeki, said during the launch Guinea, Ethiopia, Ghana, of the forum. Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Key highlights of FOCAC Chinese Vice-Minister of Morocco, Mozambique, Foreign Affairs, Zhai Jun Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, THE CENTRAL focus of China-Africa relations is on the economic development of both Africa and China and the key hailed the expanding relations South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, priority areas are: between China and Africa and Tunisia, Uganda, Senegal, • Infrastructure development in Africa; said CATTF should be the Sierra Leone, Sudan, • Agriculture; catalyst for moving the Zimbabwe and the African • Natural resources and energy exploration and extraction; existing ties forward during Union. • Investment and business cooperation; the second decade of FOCAC. The launch was followed • Trade; “The think tanks have a by an extended seminar of • Finance; role to promote China-Africa Chinese and African think • Transport; and relations and together we tanks hosted by the Institute of • Science, technology and information communication will work with African African Studies at Zhejiang technology. r governments to cultivate a Normal University in Jinhua. win-win situation,” Zhai said. sardc.net r
12 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 ELECTIONS
Kabila elected DRC President for second term
PRESIDENT JOSEPH Kabila According to final results Reconstruction and Democracy formality. The inauguration of was elected for a second term released by the DRC's got 48.9 percent of the more the president-elect was set for after winning a hotly Independent Electoral than 17.3 million Congolese 20 December. contested presidential election Commission (IEC) on 9 who voted in the 28 November A total of 11 presidential in the Democratic Republic of December, the youthful Kabila presidential election. candidates took part in the Congo (DRC) in November. of the People's Party for His nearest rival, veteran elections, including Vital politician Etienne Tshisekedi Kamerhe, a former election of the Union for Democracy campaign manager for Kabila and Social Progress Party, got who now heads the Congolese 32 percent of the valid ballots. National Union. Tshisekedi disputed the Kabila has been in power poll results, insisting he was since 2001 following the death the democratically elected of his father the same year. In leader of the DRC. 2006, he won the country’s Under Congolese law, the first democratic elections after presidential results must be years of conflict. certified by the Supreme The victory gave Kabila Court, but the certification is another chance to continue generally considered a with economic and political reforms that have so far ensured relative peace in the DRC. This was the first time the elections were held under Joint Declaration the recently promulgated Electoral Reform Act, which On the Presidential and scrapped the requirement for Parliamentary Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo a second round of voting in the event that none of the FOLLOWING THE conclusion of the 3. Welcomes the successful holding of the presidential candidates scored Presidential and Parliamentary elections held elections despite the numerous challenges an outright victory. on 28 November 2011 an in-depth discussion which the country is confronted with and In the previous election, a took place between the below mentioned have noted the technical and logistical candidate needed to win 50 observer missions. In view of the July 2002 challenges that over shadowed the holding percent-plus-one votes to be Durban OAU Declaration on The Principles of the elections; elected president. A second and Guidelines Governing Democratic round of voting was Elections in Africa, the missions agreed on the 4. Welcome the efforts made to help the previously required pitting following joint Declaration: Congolese people to freely exercise their the top two candidates to right to vote; determine the winner in the “The African Observer Missions to the event that none of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (African 5. Regret some isolated acts of violence during presidential candidates Union (AU), Southern African Development the elections; garnered more than half of the Community (SADC), International Con- votes. 6. Appeal to all the Congolese political In the 2006 election, Kabila ference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), stakeholders to continue to show a high Economic Community of the Central African won 44.81 percent of votes in sense of responsibility by accepting the the first round poll in July States (ECCAS), Common Market of East and outcome of the polls, and should there be Southern Africa (COMESA): while his closest rival, Bemba, any dispute due legal processes should be had 20.03 percent. This 1. Hail the Congolese people’s determination pursued; prompted the holding of a run- to hold the second democratic elections on off poll in October of the same 7. Welcome the spirit of cooperation and 28 November 2011, as this will consolidate year in which Kabila won 58.05 solidarity among themselves while peace, enhance national reconciliation, percent of the ballots against 41 observing the current elections and strongly boost the democratic process and lay the percent for Bemba. urge all the stakeholders including the foundation for lasting peace, economic and More than 18,500 candidates partners to contribute meaningfully to the social development; contested for 500 seats in a democratic process in the DRC. parallel parliamentary election. 2. Further appreciate the will, enthusiasm and Provisional parliamentary large turn out by the Congolese people Head of Delegations for AUEOM; SEOM; results are due in mid- during the elections; ECCAS; ICGLR; COMESA “ r January. r
SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 13 COMMUNITY
Southern Africa ready for AFCON
THREE SOUTHERN African countries will raise the regional profile at the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in January- February. Angola, Botswana and Zambia booked Peter Ndlovu their places at next The top two teams in each year’s finals as group of the four groups will qualify winners and they for the second round. join 13 other African The Africa Cup of Nations countries that will has remained an influential participate in the tournament since 1957 when biennial tournament. the initial tournament was Angola, who held in Khartoum, Sudan. hosted the previous South Africa is the only finals in 2010, took southern African country to their place only on have won the Africa Cup of the final day of Nations when it hosted the qualification when Kalusha Bwalya Lucas Radebe finals in 1996. they beat Guinea-Bissau Angola was the second two-nil. Botswana took their being done to improve the Group B, while Botswana was SADC country to host the opponents by surprise and team. grouped together with Guinea, finals, in 2010, when four will be an emerging team to The draw for the 2012 Ghana and Mali in Group D. southern African teams watch, while Zambia has been AFCON finals saw Angola Zambia will do battle in Group participated: Angola, Malawi, to the AFCON finals for a being paired with Cote d’Ivoire, A, along with hosts Equatorial Mozambique and Zambia. record 15 times. Burkina Faso and Sudan in Guinea, Libya and Senegal. sardc.net r Zambia’s best moment in the continental tournament came in 1994 when, against all SADC launches African Cultural Renaissance campaign odds, the Zambian Football Association managed to assemble a strong team that SOUTHERN AFRICA has the Assembly of Heads of State reached the 1994 final match launched the African Cultural and Government of the AU in following the loss of the entire Renaissance Campaign aimed January 2006 in Khartoum, team in an air crash the at promoting the Pan Sudan. previous year. Africanist spirit, cultural Speaking at the launch of The Zambian team renewal and identity as part of the SADC campaign, South perished in 1993 near Gabon the African continent’s shared African Minister of Arts and on their way to play Senegal values. Culture, Paul Mashatile, said in a World Cup qualifier. The campaign – a two year Member States must use the Zambian Football Asso- programme of the African Charter to promote unity in ciation chairperson Kalusha Union (AU) Commission – has the region. He urged member Bwalya, who captained the the following key components: countries to ratify the charter trailblazing 1994 team, • Promotion of the AU The primary aim of the in 2012. expressed optimism that his symbols (the flag, the campaign is to popularize the “Our common heritage, team will do well at the anthem and the logo); Charter for African Cultural our rich and diverse cultures tournament despite parting • Promotion of African Renaissance in the SADC as well as our artistic ways with their Italian coach cultural values, including region to enable better expressions must be used to on mutual grounds. African languages; and understanding of this cement the bonds of “The coach has done a • Promotion of the ratification continental tool and promote friendship and solidarity good job,” he said, adding of the Charter for African its ratification. that have existed among that the changes in the Cultural Renaissance to The Charter was adopted at our peoples for many coaching department are ensure its entry into force. the Sixth Ordinary Session of years.” r
14 SOUTHERN AFRICA Today, December 2011 EVENTS EVENTS DIARY December 2011-February 2012
SADC TODAY Vol 14 No 1 December 2011 December 29 Nov-9 Dec, COP17 Summit on Climate Change SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY South Africa The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the United is produced as a reference source of Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN- activities and opportunities in the Southern African Development Community, and a guide for FCCC) convenes in Durban, South Africa to discuss solutions decision-makers at all levels of national and regional to the rise in global average air and ocean temperatures, development. widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising sea levels due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases. Southern African Development Community SADC Secretariat, SADC House, Private Bag 0095, 1 December, UN World Aids Day Gaborone, Botswana On December 1 each year SADC joins the rest of the Tel +267 395 1863 Fax +267 397 2848/318 1070 E-mail [email protected] Website www.sadc.int world in commemorating UN World Aids Day. The theme for this year is “Getting to Zero”. SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is published six times a year by the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC) for the SADC Secretariat 6-7, December, SADC Infrastructure Development Master Plan Workshop in Gaborone, Botswana, as a reliable knowledge source on regional development. TBA Experts will meet to discuss plans to accelerate the devel- Articles may be reproduced freely in the media and elsewhere, with attribution. opment of regional infrastructure. The SADC Infrastructure EDITOR Development Master Plan is expected to guide develop- Munetsi Madakufamba ment of key infrastructure such as road, rail and ports. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE 12-16 December, AU Ministers of Mineral Resources Development Joseph Ngwawi, Kizito Sikuka, Egline Tauya, Stalin Tazvitya, Phyllis Johnson, Patience Ziramba, Ndiyavhonga Ndou, Ethiopia Conference Forbes Chinyemba. Running under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future for Africa’s Extractive Industry: From Vision to Action”, the EDITORIAL ADVISOR conference will discuss the implementation of various Head of Corporate Communications Unit, SADC Leefa Penehupifo Martin African action plans. SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Af- January fairs, in support of the SADC Energy Thematic Group of International Cooperating Partners, which is chaired by Norway. 21 Jan-12 Feb, Africa Cup of Nations Gabon and A total of 16 countries from Africa will compete in the bi- © SADC, SARDC, 2011 E. Guinea annual soccer tournament. Three teams from SADC – Angola, Botswana and Zambia – will raise the regional SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY welcomes contributions from individuals and or- profile at the finals. ganizations within the SADC region in form of articles, photographs, news items and comments, and also relevant articles from outside the region. The publishers reserve 16 - 19, United 5th World Future Energy Summit the right to select or reject items, and to edit to fit the space available. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official positions or opinions of SADC or SARDC. Arab Emirates The summit will concentrate on energy innovation in policy implementation, technology development, finance and in- SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is published in English, Portuguese and French, and vestment approaches, and existing and upcoming projects. is available electronically at www.sardc.net Knowledge for Development, linked to www.sadc.int 24-25, Climate Finance and Carbon Markets Africa DESIGN & LAYOUT South Africa As the first African meeting after COP 17, Climate Finance Tonely Ngwenya and Carbon Markets Africa 2012 will seek to address the key challenges of expanding climate projects in Africa. PHOTOS AND ILLUSTRATIONS P1, P6, P16 SARDC, gstatic.com, Nampower; P2, Fedusa.org.za, 26-27, Zimbabwe Southern African ICT for Education Summit worldspresidents.com, mega-flags.com; P4, globalenvision.org, wikimedia.com; P7 planes.cz, panoramio.com, The summit will focus on key areas to establish partner- rudijeggle.co.za; P8 ecogeneration.com; P9, lostonshore.typepad.com; ships between the ministries of education and the private P12 Joseph Ngwawi; P13 aneki.com, P14 sporting-heroes.net, sector to improve the use of ICT in education. equaliserfootball.com, flickr.com 29-30, Ethiopia 18th Ordinary Session of the African Union Subscribe today Heads of State and Government will gather for the 18th SOUTHERN AFRICA TODAY is available through an annual subscription fee for Ordinary Session of the African Union, preceded by the six issues a year: US$55 outside Africa, including postage; US$40 within Africa; and usual technical meetings and the Council of Ministers. The US$30 in southern Africa. Your subscription will enable you to receive the newslet- theme of the summit is “Boosting Intra-African Trade”. ter by airmail or email. For more details, please contact the Editor. February Comments and contributions should be sent to [email protected] 21-23, Africa Energy Indaba South Africa The annual conference seeks to explore ways in which Southern African Research and Documentation Centre Africa could harness its huge energy resources to achieve 15 Downie Avenue, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe energy self-sufficiency. Tel +263 4 791 141/791 143 Fax +263 4 791 271 www.sardc.net
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SOUTHERN AFRICA Today 15 HISTORY TODAY
1961 – 2001
Tanzania @ 50: “There is no PUBLIC HOLIDAYS IN SADC shortcut to our aspirations” December 2011-February 2012
DECEMBER 9 is a day that should be celebrated throughout 8 December Immaculate Conception Seychelles southern Africa, as it is the date that Tanganyika (now Tanzania) achieved independence, 50 years ago, in 1961, and without this date, the rest of southern 9 December Independence and Tanzania Africa might not yet be independent. Republic Day The priority of the newly independent nation and its then Prime Minister, Julius 10 December Human Rights Day Namibia Kambarage Nyerere, was national development, but he saw this as unachievable 16 December Day of Reconciliation South Africa without the independence of the neighbouring states. 22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe Nyerere, known by the Swahili word for teacher, Mwalimu, was the father of 25 December Christmas Day SADC southern African liberation and one of the founding fathers of the Southern African Family Day Mozambique Development Community (SADC). 26 December Family Day Namibia None of the countries that now make up SADC was independent at that time, the Day of Goodwill South Africa next were Malawi and Zambia in 1964. Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho, Although South Africa was technically considered independent of the colonial power, Swaziland, Tanzania, Britain, it was governed under the apartheid system of separate development that Zimbabwe denied the vote and other human rights to the black majority. 27 December Public Holiday Some SADC One year after formal independence from Britain, Tanganyika became a Republic countries with Nyerere as its first President. Following the revolution in Zanzibar just one year later, Nyerere negotiated the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar as the United Republic 1 January New Year’s Day SADC of Tanzania in April 1964. 2 January Public Holiday Most SADC Nyerere pursued the ideals of liberation, democracy and common humanity into countries the rest of the continent and, with the leaders of the other few African countries that 4 January Martyrs Day Angola, DRC were independent in 1963, established the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which 12 January Zanzibar Revolution Day Tanzania later became the African Union. 15 January John Chilembwe Day Malawi The main objective was political liberation for the rest of the continent. Their tool 17 January Patrice Lumumba Day DRC for achieving this, the OAU Liberation Committee, was hosted by Tanzania, and most 20 January Taipoosam Cavadee Mauritius liberation movements were based there at one time or another. 23 January Chinese Spring Festival Mauritius He believed unity of the continent was possible, although long term, starting with political independence and economic integration. 1 February Abolishing of Slavery Day Mauritius “There is one sense in which African unity already exists,” he said. “There is a sentiment 3 February Heroes Day Mozambique of ‘African-ness’, a feeling of mutual involvement, which pervades all the political and 4 February National Armed Angola cultural life of the continent.” Struggle Day Although he supported and agitated for negotiated independence through non- Maulid Day Tanzania violent means, he also understood that arms would be required to dislodge the white 7 February Thai Poosam Kavady Mauritius colonial rulers in the south of the continent, and Tanzania hosted the OAU Liberation 20 February Maha Shivaratri Mauritius Committee for this purpose for the next 30 years. When some of the other countries were forced into wars of liberation to eventually achieve the same end, Tanzania provided political, material and moral support until independence and majority rule were achieved in 1975 (Mozambique, Angola), 1980 (Zimbabwe), 1990 (Namibia) and finally, 1994 (South Africa). Nyerere was one of nine leaders who came together just before Zimbabwe’s Genocide remains returned independence in 1980 to establish the Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which later became SADC. NAMIBIA HAS received from Germany the The leaders of Tanzania, Zambia and Botswana had formed the Front Line States in skulls of 20 people that were taken to Ger- 1974 to work together in a united front for common security, under the chairmanship man research institutions during the 1904- of Nyerere, and this was the basis of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security 1908 genocide for “scientific measuring”. Cooperation. German scientists tried to prove the “racial Nyerere passed away in 1999 having seen most of his vision achieved in east and superiority” of white Europeans over black southern Africa, though he felt that Tanzania’s national development had lagged behind. Africans by analysing the facial features of The contribution by the United Republic of Tanzania to the liberation of southern the heads. The repatriated remains are of Africa is not well known or quantified, in cash, human lives and delayed development. those killed by German troops during the Although it was Nyerere’s leadership that mobilised an entire nation behind this genocide in the former German South West vision, it was not the achievement of one person as individual Tanzanians in both rural Africa. Historians say German troops killed and urban areas contributed a few shillings each in people-to-people support, although and starved to death 60,000 of the 85,000 they did not have extra themselves. Herero and Nama people. It is not known Just before he became President, Nyerere was asked what was his country’s most how many more skulls remain in Europe. important accomplishment to date. “We have learned this hard fact of life,” he replied, “that there are no short cuts to our aspirations.” sardc.net
A shared future within a regional community