September 2005 • Volume 1 • Number 3 dfa

NowThe voice to be heard

Contents DFA IMBIZO: BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL HALALA SADC HALALA SADC MILESTONES THE RECENT SADC SUMMIT Editorial

Editorial

his issue of DFA Now focuses on the inaugural DFA Imbizo T held successfully at Jameson Hall, the University of Cape Town on Tuesday 23 August and the annual SADC Summit held in Gaborone, Botswana from 17-18 August. The Imbizo was held under the theme of “A People United in Peace and Friendship towards a better Africa in a Better World” and was aimed at building a partnership between government, the academia, stu- dents and surrounding communities. The Imbizo article reflects on the pertinent is- sues discussed at the event such as the importance of SADC as the foundation for regional, continental and international en- gagement”, South Africa’s contribution to various peace-building, conflict resolution and post conflict reconstruction and the UN Reform. With this initial Imbizo the de- partment has begun to instil an awareness of South Africa’s international relations and an understanding of the strengths, weak- nesses and opportunities that exist for South Africa and the African continent to take up their rightful place in the world. Celebrating its twenty-five years of ex- istence the recent SADC Summit was held to discuss matters of common concern particularly in the fields of politics, econom- ics and social engagements. This article touches on the history of the organisation, its achievements thus far and future objec- tives and projects, which still needs to be accomplished. Among other achievements the Summit saw the adoption of the Proto- col on the Facilitation of Movement of Per- sons which aims at the elimination of ob- stacles to the movement of persons within the region and the admission of Madagas- car as the 14th member into the SADC. As you read this issue of DFA Now, think how you could respond to this new channel of communication - e.g. give it to a colleague to read or even better send us your response. Keep in mind that your constructive feedback and suggestions are required to maintain and improve the standard of this mode of internal commu- nication. Write to the Editorial Board on the email address [email protected]. ◗ Director-General of Foreign Affairs Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba

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DFA IMBIZO Building partnerships for a better life for all

A “People United in Peace and Friendship towards a better Africa in a Better World” was the theme at the launch of the first ever DFA driven Imbizo at the University of Cape Town (UCT), 23 August 2005. The gods had blessed the occasion with a tumultuous storm. Unperturbed by the heavy rains, about 1000 people turned up in high spirits to participate and be counted at the historic Imbizo.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma pictured during the opening address to DFA Imbizo, with the Director-General, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba; Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Prof. Rob Davies; Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad; the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor; Prof. Njabulo Ndebele, the Vice-Chancellor of UCT and Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe and the Premier of the Western Cape Government, Ebrahim Rasool at the table (from left-right).

he Imbizo was spearheaded by the Vice-Chancellor of UCT, Presi- by the political principals dent of the Association of African Uni- T of the DFA represented by versities, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, as well as members of the academic Deputy Ministers Sue van der Merwe “South Africa stands for community of the Western Cape. and Aziz Pahad and the provincial a democratic, peaceful, The aim of the inaugural Imbizo government of the Western Cape, was to build a partnership between lead by Premier Ebrahim Rasool. stable, prosperous, government, the academia, students Government was also represented non-racist, non-sexist and surrounding communities in an by Minister of Education, Ms Naledi effort to ensure active engagement Pandor, Deputy Minister of Trade and society with respect and participation in the implementa- Industry, Professor Rob Davies and for human life, and tion of government programmes and Mr Barry Gilder, Co-ordinator of the an awareness of the role played by National Intelligence Co-ordinating which contributes to a the Ministry and the DFA. Committee. It was geared to serve world that is just and Minister Dlamini Zuma reaffirmed as an information session to the vari- to the public that South Africa’s for- ous communities of Cape Town about equitable” eign policy is firmly rooted in the prin- the role DFA plays as the lead depart- ciples and values as guided by the ment in international affairs in our Freedom Charter and the Constitution country. The event was also attended of the Republic of South Africa.

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“South Africa stands for a demo- cratic, peaceful, stable, prosperous, non-racist, non-sexist society with respect for human life, and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable” said the Minister. In this way, the Minister conveyed that our foreign policy holds sacro- sanct the values of a culture of a respect for human rights, the promo- tion of democracy, a commitment to justice and international law, interna- tional peace and peaceful resolutions of conflicts, economic development through regional and international co- operation as well as the consolidation of the African agenda. Africa occupies centre stage in our foreign policy as evidenced by the critical role performed by our country in the transformation of the Organi- sation of African Unity to the African Union and the creation of organs such as the Pan African Parliament, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma during her address and in the New Partnership for Africa’s De- replying to questions focussed on the role of women in society and stressed that they are velopment (NEPAD) and the African central in the future of this Continent Peer Review Mechanism to steer the continent on the path of good govern- ance and economic development. Infrastructure development, sci- Among other issues under discus- ence and technology, agriculture, “Through the Peace and sion was the India-Brazil-South Africa environment and information and tri-lateral co-operation, South-South communication technology were Security Council we shall solidarity, the role of the African identified as priority sectors for the continue to contribute to Diaspora as a contribution to Afri- developmental agenda of the African ca’s development and the continued continent through the NEPAD. various peace-building, socio-economic engagement with The Minister emphasised that our conflict-resolution countries in the North. These present conflict resolution skills received com- our country with a golden opportunity mendable reviews from the interna- and post conflict to forge bridges and linkages with tional community in striving to solve reconstruction efforts that the broader international community the conflicts in Burundi, Rwanda, the and strengthen our country’s vision of DRC and Sudan with the realisation we are engaged in”. striving for a better life for all. that South Africa’s success and pros- The need to transform structures perity are intertwined with the rest of of global political and economic gov- the continent: “We must continue to ernance also took centre stage at the “Through the Peace and Se- strive for a just, humane Imbizo with the Minister engaging the curity Council we shall continue to audience on the importance of restruc- contribute to various peace-building, and better world”. turing the UN as well as the focus on conflict-resolution and post conflict the eradication of global poverty. reconstruction efforts that we are “As we celebrate sixty years after engaged in”. the founding of the United Nations, it “We must continue to strive for a the Economic Community Of West is clear that no UN reforms have taken just, humane and better world”. African States (ECOWAS), the place”, she said. The Minister emphasised the im- Intergovernmental Committee on In the true spirit of the old age portance of SADC “as the foundation Development (IGAD) and the Com- tradition of participatory democracy, a for regional, continental and interna- mon Market for Eastern and Southern lively interactive session ensued which tional engagements”. Africa (COMESA) are the building saw over 20 questions posed to the “SADC with the other Regional blocks for Africa’s economic integra- Minister and her colleagues on ques- Economic Communities (REC) like tion. tions of conflict resolution, UN Reform

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Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Prof. Rob Davies and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad replied to questions on the issue of mercenaries on the Continent and regional integration.

and the role of women in develop- ment. On the issue of the so-called Did you know? “dogs of war”, Deputy Minister Pahad said that the Foreign Military Assist- ance Act legislation will ensure that he Imbizo is about unmediated communication mercenaries are severely punished to prevent them from undermining Tbetween government and its people. It is a forum for the African Union and South Africa’s enhancing dialogue between senior government execu- efforts in securing peace and stability tives and ordinary people. Imbizo provides an opportuni- across the Continent. On the question of inter-regional ty for government to communicate its action programme trade, Deputy Minister Davies men- and the progress being made directly to the people. tioned that integration in the region Imbizo also promotes participation of the public in the has been on the agenda before1994 and that there are programmes of programmes to improve their lives. Interaction through harmonisation of laws to promote Imbizo highlights particular problems needing attention, regional integration. blockages in implementation of policy and how best to The Premier of the Western Cape, Ebrahim Rasool in his con- tackle challenges. It provides access to what citizens say cluding remarks praised the Minister and feel about government and service delivery, to listen for bringing the first Foreign Affairs to grievances and advice about the pace and direction Imbizo to this province and also enabling all to voice their opinions on of government’s work. It creates more space for public foreign policy. Premier Rasool stated participation and involvement around interactive imple- that “this inspiring Imbizo has given mentation of government’s Programme of Action. government a chance to face up to its citizens” and that the Western Cape is happy that the Imbizo started here, and will now be extended to other

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provinces thereby providing insights and opportunities to ordinary people to debate foreign policy. Role of Women in Society Like all other previous govern- ment and future gatherings Izimbizo, “Responding to the issue of the role of women in underpinned by the principles of par- development, the Minister said that women are the people ticipatory democracy, the DFA hopes who are moulding our society and indeed our Continent that this Imbizo will continue to draw today – they are central in the future of this Continent. It is experience from our liberation strug- no mistake that it is women who nurture life and who are gle and movement and lessons from central in the continuity of the human race. Women have our assessment of the first decade special qualities to take us forward towards the prosperity of of democracy as well as the legacy our country. They are the most important in national service of the Masakhane Campaign and to a country because they ensure jobs, food and education provincial outreach programmes. for future generations. It is impossible to exclude them Through this first engagement, from the centre of where our future is shaped, because they we have begun to instil a heightened are so central to our being. Look at our women, they are awareness of South Africa’s interna- peacemakers and can do so much to prevent the suffering tional relations and an understanding – under wars and conflicts. Look at the role of women in rural of both the limitations and also the areas and all the positive energy they are generating. Also as possibilities that exist for South Africa teachers they are playing a central role in education”. and the African continent to take up their rightful place in the world com- munity. ◗

The Imbizo saw a lively interactive session with over 20 questions posed to Minister Dlamini Zuma and colleagues on conflict resolution, UN reform and the role of women in development

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma addresses the Ministerial Meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation held in Sandton on 27 July 2005. Dr Prega Ramsamy, SADC Executive Secretary is pictured with the Minister. HALALA SADC HALALA!

ince the establishment of effectively. Apartheid South Africa the organisation in 1980, On the occasion of the had been replaced by a progressive S there have been remarkable recent SADC summit, SADC democratic state! changes in the region. Many of these In light of these developments, the can be attributed to the role of SADC celebrated its Silver Jubilee! SADC Heads of State or Government and its support of the freedom strug- Twenty-five years of also began to view their efforts at gle in South Africa. The groundwork regional integration in Southern Africa had already been done twenty-five existence! as part of a continental effort. More years ago. recently, the African Union, the suc- The year 1979 saw the adoption cessor to the OAU, has reaffirmed its of that historic Declaration: ”Southern seeking to expand. Largely commitment to the African Economic Africa: Towards Economic Liberation”. due to a positive political climate Community. The New Partnership for This was a concise statement of in- in the region - Namibia having at- Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has tent to dramatically reduce economic tained its liberation coupled with real designated RECs as implementing dependence on apartheid South prospects for a negotiated settlement agencies for its programme. Africa. in South Africa - the focus of SADC On the global scene, fundamen- The growing military intrusion and changed. tal and far-reaching political and its attendant mayhem, assassina- Charlotte Quinn, an American economic changes were taking place. tions, bombardments and the unbri- historian in her piece “Mandingo The cold war had ended, and world dled violation of their countries’ ter- Kingdoms of the Senegambia”argues affairs were increasingly being man- ritorial integrity by the rogue apartheid “Often a revolution is begun by an aged on the basis of consultation and machinery prompted the leadership event which, though insignificant in consensus, rather than confrontation of nine Southern African countries to itself, separates one faction from and competition. Integration was fast found the Frontline States. Notably another and coincides with the climax becoming a global trend. Countries from its inception the Frontline States of a psychological preparation which in different regions of the globe were consistently adopted positions in will leave the people ready for drastic organising themselves into closer support of the Liberation forces in change.” economic and political entities. Namibia and South Africa. The liberation of South Africa, the These movements towards On the other hand, the challenge last bastion of apartheid was such stronger regional blocs were expected facing the founding fathers was to an event .An event, which helped to to transform the world, both economi- define the dimensions of the Com- transform SADC, propelling it to fine- cally and politically, as firms within munity they were both defending and tune its ambitious programmes more these economic blocs would benefit

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from economies of scale provided by development integration approach large markets, to become competitive which recognises the political and both internally and internationally. For “Often a revolution is economic diversities of regional firms in Southern Africa not to remain begun by an event which, integrating countries including their behind, it became imperative for a diverse production structures, trade large regional market to be estab- though insignificant in patterns, resource endowments, lished so that they too could benefit itself, separates one development priorities, institutional from economies of scale. affiliations and resource allocation Thus, perhaps predictably, in faction from another mechanisms. It addresses many of 1992, the Agenda for Integration was and coincides with the the production, infrastructure and ef- adopted, hence the establishment of a ficiency barriers arising from the un- Development Community in Southern climax of a psychological derdevelopment of the region. This Africa .The Agenda for Integration preparation which will approach also has the advantage of adopted in Windhoek, Namibia in 1992 complementing trade liberalisation moved SADC from being a loose alli- leave the people ready for with sustainable corrective meas- ance to a cohesive Community geared drastic change.” ures, designed to cushion the least to meet the daunting challenges and developed member countries against potential opportunities presented by shocks arising from the removal of both a wider regional social economic trade barriers. It further allows mem- space and globalisation. South Africa ber states to define the scope and ultimately joined the Community in sectors of cooperation and to identify August 1994, four months after its 1st appropriate strategies and mecha- democratic elections. governments to urgently transform nisms to overcome impediments to The purpose of transforming the and restructure their economies. The integration and to address regional regional organisation was to promote small size of their individual markets, imbalances between member states. deeper economic cooperation and in- the inadequate socio-economic infra- In the 1990s, the membership of tegration to help address many of the structure and the high per capita cost the organisation increased to 14 with factors that make it difficult to sustain of providing this infrastructure as well the accession of Namibia in 1990, economic growth and socio-econom- as their low-income base made it dif- South Africa in 1994, Mauritius in ic development, such as continued ficult for them individually to attract or 1995, and Seychelles and the Demo- dependence on the exports of a few maintain the necessary investments cratic Republic of Congo in 1997. In primary commodities. It had be- for their sustained development. June 2003, Seychelles decided to come an urgent necessity for SADC Accordingly, SADC opted for a withdraw its membership from SADC

to address military attacks and destabilisation of SADC Milestones majority-ruled states by apartheid South Africa. The intensification of the struggle on both fronts THE ORIGIN OF SADC strengthened bonds of solidarity and the need for Regional cooperation and integration in Southern Africa collective action. owes its origin to historical, economic, political, social • Most of the countries of Southern Africa ultimately and cultural factors that have created strong bonds of achieved political independence, but against solidarity and unity among the peoples of Southern a background of mass poverty, economic Africa. These factors have contributed to the formation backwardness and the threat of powerful and of a distinct Southern African personality and identity hostile white minority-ruled neighbours. Thus, the that underpins political and economic cooperation. leaders saw the promotion of economic and social development through cooperation and integration THE FRONTLINE STATES as the next logical step after political independence. • The formal establishment of structures to promote regional cooperation and integration started as THE ARUSHA CONFERENCE an initiative of the Frontline States, the original • Accordingly, based on the outcome of the July 1979 members of which were Angola, Botswana, Arusha Conference which agreed on a strategy Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. This initiative to launch the Southern African Development was directed initially towards the political liberation Coordination Conference (SADCC), the then nine of the region. majority-ruled states of Southern Africa – Angola, • From 1975 when they were formally constituted, the Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Frontline States met regularly to coordinate efforts, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe – met resources and strategy, with regard to the National at Summit level in April 1980 in Lusaka, Zambia and Liberation Movements of Southern Africa that were declared their commitment to pursue policies aimed fighting against colonialism, racism and white at economic liberation on the basis of a sustainable minority-rule. Later, this initiative was extended integrated development of their economies.

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because of economic reasons. Ac- SADC; lack of synergy between the and effectiveness of SADC policies cordingly, Seychelles ceased to be objectives of the Treaty on the one and programmes and to implement a a member of SADC effectively as hand and the existing SADC SPA and more coherent and better coordinated provided for in the Treaty from 30 institutional framework on the other, strategy to eliminate poverty in the June 2004. The 2005 SADC Summit and finally lack of appropriate mecha- Region. To underpin the restructuring in Gaborone unanimously admitted nisms capable of translating the high of SADC institutions and provide a the Republic of Madagascar as the degree of political commitment into clear orientation for the policies and 14th member of SADC. concrete programmes of community programmes of the organisation over Since its inception, SADC has building and integration. the medium to long-term, the Extraor- inculcated a sense of regional dinary Summit also approved that belonging as well as a tradition of RESTRUCTURING the Secretariat prepare a Regional consultation among the peoples and In order to address these and other Indicative Strategic Development governments of Southern Africa, institutional problems, the Heads of Plan (RISDP) which is guided by the which, among other things, has im- State and Government approved the vision of SADC. proved regional security. It has also restructuring of SADC institutions at The restructuring of SADC Institu- formulated the SADC Programme of their Extraordinary Summit held in tions occurs at a time when important Action (SPA), which covers coopera- March 2001, in Windhoek. Under transformations are also taking place tion in several economic and social restructuring, the twenty-one sec- both at the continental and global sectors; and implemented several tors have been grouped into clusters levels. In the African context the most infrastructure and other projects. under four Directorates at the SADC significant steps affecting SADC, Furthermore, SADC has developed Secretariat. At the national level, relate to the transformation of the protocols in a number of areas of SADC National Committees will OAU into the AU and the launching of cooperation, which provide the legal coordinate their respective individual NEPAD. framework for cooperation among Member State interests relating to The AU intends to build on and Member States. SADC. At the regional level, an accelerate the aims of the OAU and Integrated Committee of Ministers the Abuja Treaty. The NEPAD as a WHERE WE ARE NOW? (ICM) has been created to coordinate programme of the AU is a holistic and While SADC has recorded some the work of different clusters. The multidimensional development frame- remarkable achievements, difficul- new structure also includes the Troika work undertaken by African Lead- ties and constraints have also been system and the Organ on Politics, ers, which encompasses economic, encountered. These include lack Defence and Security. political, security social and cultural of institutional reforms for effective The objective of the restructur- dimensions of development. As with transformation from SADCC into ing was to increase the efficiency the African Economic Integration

THE LUSAKA DECLARATION Africanism and the latter’s preoccupation with the • The Summit adopted the Lusaka Declaration entitled need for regional integration as the means towards ‘Southern Africa: Toward Economic Liberation’ African continental unity and the recovery of African as well as a Programme of Action covering areas dignity and status in global affairs. of Transport and Communications, Food and • These principles were enshrined in both the OAU Agriculture, Industry, Manpower Development and Treaty of 1963 and the Lagos Plan of Action of 1980 Energy. and the Final Act of Lagos.

AIMS OF SADCC MAIN SADCC STRUCTURES • The aims of SADCC were to reduce economic • At the regional level, the main SADCC institutions dependence particularly, but not only, on South were the Summit of Heads of State or Government Africa; which had responsibility for overall policy direction • to forge links to create genuine and equitable regional and control of the functions of the Conference; integration; • the Council of Ministers, which reported to the • to mobilise resources for implementing national and Summit, oversaw the work and development of interstate policies; SADCC and approved SADCC policies; • and to take concerted action to secure international • the Standing Committee of Officials which was cooperation within the framework of the strategy of a technical advisory committee and advised the economic liberation. Council; • and the Secretariat which was responsible for SADCC PROGRAMME OF ACTION the coordination and management of SADCC • In pursuance of these objectives, the organisation programmes. focused on functional cooperation in key sectors • For the purpose of coordinating the SPA and through a Programme of Action known as the SADCC enhancing ownership, a decentralised structure Programme of Action (SPA). was adopted under which different sectors were • Above all, SADCC reflected the spirit of Pan allocated to each Member State.

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framework under the Abuja Treaty, tries and people of Southern Africa to Amending the SADC Treaty, the the Regional Economic Communities develop a vision of a shared future, a RISDP, based on the strategic such as SADC are expected to act future within a regional community. priorities of SADC and its Common as building blocks in the implementa- The SADC vision is one of a Agenda is designed to provide stra- tion of the African Agenda under the common future, a future in a regional tegic direction with respect to SADC frameworks of the AU and NEPAD. community that will ensure eco- programmes, projects and activities. At the global level, economic nomic well-being, improvement of The RISDP aligns the strategic objec- challenges facing SADC include the the standards of living and quality of tives and priorities with the policies process and effects of globalisation, life, freedom and social justice and and strategies to be pursued towards which encompasses, among others, peace and security for the peoples of achieving those goals over a period financial, trade and technological Southern Africa. This shared vision of fifteen years. forces. The agenda of the World is anchored on the common values The RISDP is indicative in nature Trade Organisation (WTO), The and principles and the historical and and outlines the necessary condi- Cotonou Agreement between the EU cultural affinities that exist between tions that should be realised towards and ACPs as well as the USA’s Africa, the peoples of Southern Africa. the attainment of SADC’s regional Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) The RISDP is also underpinned integration and development goals. are all key challenges and opportuni- by the SADC mission statement. In other words, it is not a prescriptive ties for SADC. From the 1992 Declaration and the or a command type of plan. In view A global development agenda Report on the Review of the Opera- of the need to monitor and measure of crucial importance for SADC is tions of SADC Institutions, particularly progress, the RISDP sets targets that currently being championed by the from the objectives and strategies indicate major milestones towards UN and is expressed in the Millen- spelt out in Article 5 of the Treaty, the attainment of agreed goals. In nium Declaration and the Millennium the SADC Mission Statement is: ‘To this connection, the RISDP sets up Development Goals. promote sustainable and equitable a logical and coherent implementa- The RISDP is underpinned by economic growth and socio-economic tion programme of the main activi- the SADC vision, which charts the development through efficient produc- ties necessary for the achievement direction for the development of the tive systems, deeper cooperation and of the region’s broader goals with a region. The Declaration ‘Towards the integration, good governance, and reasonable, feasible and agreeable Southern African Development Com- durable peace and security, so that time frame that takes into account munity’, adopted in Windhoek, Na- the region emerges as a competitive resource constraints. mibia, on 17 August 1992, by Heads and effective player in international While maintaining a ‘development of State or Government of Southern relations and the world economy’. integration’ strategy, the RISDP, in African States, calls upon all coun- According to the Agreement view of the significant discrepan- SADC Milestones – continued • This approach underscored the need to build and development. collective self-reliance, mutual trust and confidence • On the African continent, efforts continued, mainly and it was on this basis that the Organisation under the auspices of the Organisation of African evolved over the years. The number of areas of Unity (OAU) to promote closer economic relations. cooperation increased, as the number of Member • In 1991, some of the OAU Heads of State or States rose, since each was allocated at least Government signed the Treaty establishing the one sector to coordinate, but also in response to African Economic Community (more popularly new challenges like HIV and AIDS. As the areas of known as the Abuja Treaty). cooperation increased, the SPA expanded. • At their meeting in Windhoek in August 1992, the Heads of State and Government signed a Treaty TRANSFORMATION OF SADCC INTO SADC transforming the ‘SADCC’ from a coordination • By the late 1980s, it became apparent that conference into SADC, the Community -- and SADCC needed strengthening. The attainment redefined the basis of cooperation among Member of independence and sovereign nationhood by States from a loose association into a legally Namibia in 1990 formally ended the struggle against binding arrangement. colonialism in the region. • In some of the other countries, concerted efforts to ORGANISATION OF SADC end internal conflicts and civil strife were bearing • The Summit of SADC Heads of State and positive results. Government is the ultimate decision-making • In South Africa, the process was underway to end institution, with responsibility for the political the inhumanE system of apartheid, and to bring direction and control of functions of the Community. about a constitutional dispensation acceptable to The Summit meets at least once a year, usually in all the people of South Africa. These developments August or September. The Chairperson and Deputy took the region out of an era of conflict and are elected for one year on the basis of rotation confrontation, to one of peace, security and from among the SADC member states. During the stability, which remain prerequisites for cooperation Summit, the outgoing Chairperson hands over to

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cies existing among SADC Member The SADC vision is one of Hashim Mbita Project represents a States, recognises the need for a unique opportunity to write the history flexible approach towards deeper a common future, a future of the liberation of the region from integration and the implementation in a regional community its own perspective. In this context, of various policy reforms and recom- Member States were requested to mendations. that will ensure economic assist in identifying the eyewitnesses Put differently the RISDP provides well-being, improvement and protagonists of the liberation a broad policy framework to deliver struggle in order to record their on SADC overarching objective; viz. of the standards of experiences. The project is specifi- poverty reduction within the context living and quality of cally aimed at identifying scholars of the Millennium Development Goals to assist in gathering and editing of (MDGs) life, freedom and social the historical material to be compiled justice and peace and from Member States. THE SILVER JUBILEE HALALA SADC! Twenty-five years CELEBRATIONS security for the peoples of on, SADC’s fortitude still reigns su- The Jubilee celebrations were ap- Southern Africa. preme. It stands as a beacon of hope propriately punctuated by inspiring for the peoples of Southern Africa and speeches. In his address, Dr Prega a lodestar for the African continent. Its Ramsamy,Executive Secretary of history will reveal its achievements in SADC, highlighted the Regional full splendour. body’s achievements over the past 25 Mourid Barghouti, a Palestinian years. He had a special word of grati- backlogs and set deadlines for SADC novelist in his classic “I saw Ramal- tude to the founding fathers of SADC, projects. He acknowledged SADC’s lah” has this to say: “A fish, even the some of whom attended the Summit. achievements and cautioned against fisherman’s net, still carries the smell Dr Ramsamy alluded to their complacency. of the sea.” vision, pioneering leadership and rec- The Southern African Develop- ognised the significant contributions THE WRITING PROJECT OF ment Community born of struggle at great risk to their personal safety SADC’S HISTORY and anchored in liberation traditions and that of its citizens in bringing Perhaps it is fitting that SADC has has with the inclusion of Madagascar about political solidarity and a sense embarked upon a writing project to now grown to 260 million citizens. of identity to SADC. capture its rich history. As a pro- This year SADC celebrates 25 years The Executive Secretary in his gramme of the SADC Organ on of selfless service to a huge chunk of remarks, identified priorities, noted Politics, Defence and Security, the the human race.◗

the Deputy, and a new Deputy is elected to chair the the Council of Ministers. The Committee was following year; primarily established to work with the Department • The Troika is made up of the immediate past, current of Strategic Planning, Gender and Development and forthcoming SADC Chairpersons, and enables and Policy Harmonisation and the SADC National the implementation of tasks and decisions as well as Committees in the member states to develop the provision of policy direction to SADC institutions and oversee the implementation of the Regional in the period between the regular Summits. The Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP); Troika arrangement operates at the level of Summit, • The Standing Committee of Officials consists of Council of Ministers and Standing Committee of a Permanent/Permanent Secretary of Director- Senior Officials, as well as the Organ on Politics, General from each member state. The Committee Defence and Security; is a technical advisory committee to the Council • The Council of Ministers comprise ministers from of Ministers, and meets in advance of Council each member state, usually from the Ministries of meetings, chaired by the same country that is Foreign Affairs, Economic Development, Planning or chairing SADC; Finance. The Council is responsible for supervising • The Tribunal ensures adherence to, and and monitoring the functions and development proper interpretation of, the provisions of the of SADC, and ensuring that policies are properly SADC Treaty and subsidiary instruments, and implemented, as well as making recommendations to adjudicates upon disputes referred to it; Summit. The Council meets before the Summit and at • SADC Member States are in the process of least one other time during the year, and is chaired by establishing and launching their National the member state chairing SADC; Committees, composed of key stakeholders from • The Integrated Committee of Ministers is a new government, private sector and civil society in institution aimed at ensuring proper policy guidance, SADC member states. Their main function is coordination and harmonisation of cross-sectoral to provide inputs at the national level into the activities. It is constituted by at least two ministers formulation of regional policies, strategies and from each member state and is responsible to planning; as well as to coordinate and guide the

DFA Now • Volume 1 • Number 3 • September 2005 11 Feature

his meeting was preceded Chairperson of SADC. The SADC by the Senior Officials The recent Troika thus consists of Mauritius T Meeting from 12 to 14 August (outgoing Chairperson), Botswana 2005, and the Council of Ministers SADC Summit (current Chairperson) and Lesotho Meeting from 15 to 16 August 2005. (incoming Chairperson). The latter - a grouping of sectoral Regional co-operation took In his acceptance statement, Ministers from thirteen Southern Afri- President Mogae outlined his vision can countries - over an intense period another step forward with the and priorities for the coming year and of two days discussed at length how he pledged to carry forward the pro- best to translate the aspirations of the annual SADC Summit taking gramme of SADC. Among his priorities people of this region into achievable, would be the commencement of the measurable outcomes as well as how place from 17 to 18 August construction of the new SADC Head- to optimally mobilise adequate hu- quarters as well as continuing work man, material and financial resources 2005 as Heads of State and towards sustainable development, for the realisation of these noble Government of the region pursuing multilateral relations, regional objectives. macroeconomic stability, financial mar- The Council meeting was an im- descended on Gaborone to ket integration, investment promotion, portant precursor to the actual sum- infrastructure development and the mit meeting attended by the Regional discuss matters of common opening up of borders to facilitate the Heads. free movement of goods and services. The Summit in Gaborone coin- concern, especially in the He also emphasised that the region cided with SADC’s Silver Jubilee Cel- should adopt policies that enhance ebrations, during which the Summit fields of politics, economics food production in order to avert commemorated the 25th anniversary hunger in the region. President Mogae of SADC and noted with satisfaction and social engagements. suggested that SADC prioritise its ac- progress registered to date since the tivities in order to concentrate on those establishment of the organisation in issues that would deepen integration 1980. Speakers congratulated SADC within a short timeframe. on the attainment of its Silver Jubilee. Chairperson of the Summit, based President Thabo Mbeki, as Chair At this Summit gathering, the on the Troika system. The Summit of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Heads of State elected President also elected Prime Minister Pakalitha Security, presented a report on the Festus Mogae of Botswana as Mosisili of Lesotho as the Deputy activities of the Organ during the past

SADC Milestones – continued implementation at national level; the Chair of SADC and Summit. The Chairperson • The SADC Secretariat is the principle executive of the Organ consults with the SADC Troika and institution of SADC, and is responsible for the reports to the full Summit. The Organ is aimed strategic planning, coordination and management at promoting peace and security in the region. of SADC programmes, and the implementation Strategies and programmes are elaborated of the RISDP. The senior official is the Executive through the Strategic Indicative Plan of the Organ Secretary and its headquarters is in Gaborone, (SIPO). The organ comprises the following sub- Botswana. In terms of its structure, the Secretariat structures: comprises four functional directorates, providing • The Ministerial Committee is made up of ministers a centralised approach to development and responsible for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Public integration, away from country-based sectoral Security and State Security. It meets at least once coordination used previously. The four a year; Directorates are: • The Inter-State Politics and Diplomacy Committee • Trade, Industry, Finance, Investment and Mining; (ISPDC) meets at least once a year, and is made • Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources; up of ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs. • Infrastructure and Services (including Energy and The ISPDC performs functions relating to politics Tourism); and and diplomacy, and reports to the Ministerial • Human and Social Development. Committee; and • The Inter-State Defence and Security Committee ORGAN ON POLITICS, DEFENCE AND SECURITY (ISDSC) meets at least once a year, and is made • The Organ on Politics, Defence and Security up of ministers responsible for defence, public functions at the level of Heads of State and security and state security. The ISDSC performs Government with a Chairperson and a Troika, such functions as may be necessary to achieve reporting to the SADC Summit. The Chair of the objectives of the Organ related to defence the Organ cannot simultaneously hold the and security. It also reports to the Ministerial Chairpersonship of SADC and is accountable to Committee. ◗

12 DFA Now • Volume 1 • Number 3 • September 2005 Feature

The Minister of Defence, Mosiuoa Lekota and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sue van der Merwe in discussion during the recent Ministerial Meeting of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation. year as well as outlining the overall Chair of the Organ was mandated to mana, pledged his country’s commit- political and security situation prevail- continue working with the Govern- ment to the objectives and aspirations ing in Southern Africa. President ment of the DRC and other relevant of SADC. Mbeki referred to the process of the stakeholders to ensure that elections The Heads of State and Govern- consolidation of democracy and good are held within the new timeframe ment were presented with reports governance, mentioning that Botswa- and to mobilise assistance for a suc- regarding the implementation status na, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia cessful electoral process. of the two major programmes within and Zimbabwe held Presidential, The summit saw the adoption SADC, namely the Regional Indicative Parliamentary and general elections, of the Protocol on the Facilitation Strategic Development Programme while Lesotho also held successful of Movement of Persons, which is (RISDP) and the Strategic Indicative Local Government Elections. SADC aimed at the progressive elimina- Programme for the Organ (SIPO). Electoral Observer Missions had tion of obstacles to the movement of These respond to the wider goals of been deployed to all the elections and persons of the region generally into supporting SADC Member States to used the SADC Principles and Guide- and within the territories of member achieve the Millennium Development lines Governing Democratic Elections states. The Protocol was signed by Goals and poverty reduction. In addi- as their Terms of Reference. The the DRC, Lesotho, Mozambique, tion, they integrate the goals, objec- Summit agreed to establish a SADC Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and tives and implementation framework of Electoral Advisory Council, the role Zimbabwe. The specific objectives NEPAD. of which will be as adviser to SADC of the Protocol are to facilitate entry From a celebratory point of view, structures and to Electoral Commis- into Member States without the need the occasion of the Summit also saw sions of Member States. for a visa for a maximum period of the laying of the Foundation Stone The Summit elected President ninety days per year for bona fide for the new SADC Headquarters and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia as visit and in accordance with the laws the unveiling of the Foundation Stone the new Chairperson of the Organ, of the member state; permanent and Monument. and President Benjamin Mkapa of temporary residence in the territory of As the summit in this historic Tanzania as Deputy Chairperson. another member state; and establish- 25th year recedes into the distance, The Organ Troika thus consists of ment of oneself and working in the may SADC continue to put down and South Africa (outgoing Chairperson), territory of another member state. strengthen the building blocks for Namibia (current Chairperson) and The Summit also saw an increase co-operation and integration; and, Tanzania (incoming Chairperson). in the number of SADC member states critically, may SADC member states The Summit commended the as it unanimously admitted the Repub- continue to build together the road DRC for adopting a new Constitution lic of Madagascar as the14th member that will take them towards sustained and noted that the Constitution guar- of SADC. In his statement following regional social and economic devel- antees a fifty-fifty gender parity in the the admission of Madagascar into the opment. This is the key to the next 25 political institutions of the DRC. The SADC family, President Marc Ravalo- years of SADC’s existence. ◗

DFA Now • Volume 1 • Number 3 • September 2005 13 Front and back cover: Department of Foreign Affairs, Imbizo University of Cape Town, 23 August 2005