Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Shava Takes Over SADC Council Chairmanship
On 13 August 2024, Honourable Ambassador Dr. Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe, assumed the Chairmanship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers, succeeding His Excellency Téte António, Minister of External Relations of Angola.
This leadership transition comes ahead of Zimbabwe’s assumption of the SADC Chairmanship by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at the 44th SADC Summit on 17 August 2024.
The SADC Council of Ministers, composed of senior officials from each member state’s ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Planning, or Finance, oversees the functioning and development of SADC, ensuring effective implementation of its policies.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Shava committed to steering the Council with a focus on the 44th SADC Summit theme: “Promoting Innovation to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic Growth and Development towards an Industrialised SADC.”
He emphasized the importance of implementing this agenda to foster regional industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Shava urged member states to continue their cooperation in advancing SADC’s regional development plan, which is grounded in peace, security, and good governance—key elements for the region’s transformative agenda.
Outgoing Chairperson Téte António reflected on the progress made during his tenure under the 43rd SADC Summit theme: “Human and Financial Capital: The Key Drivers for Sustainable Industrialisation.”
He highlighted significant strides in regional cooperation and integration and called for the rapid operationalisation of the SADC University of Transformation and the SADC Regional Development Fund to support educational advancements and economic development.
António also praised the recent launch of the Regional Humanitarian Appeal, which aims to raise at least US$5.5 million to assist countries affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods.
SADC Executive Secretary, Mr. Elias M. Magosi, congratulated Zimbabwe for its continued leadership in the SADC industrialisation agenda and for successfully hosting the 7th SADC Industrialisation Week.
He commended the Secretariat’s efforts in supporting member states to develop value chains and create jobs, and highlighted the importance of solidarity in promoting peace and security, citing the deployment of the SADC Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC) as a demonstration of the community’s commitment to lasting peace and security.
Source: SADC
