‘Innovation will unlock growth, development in SADC’

It is a great honour and privilege for me to

participate in the 44th Ordinary Summit of Heads of

State and Government and the Organ Troika Summit

of the Southern African Development Community (SADC),

convening under the theme ‘Promoting Innovation

to Unlock Opportunities for Sustained Economic

Growth and Development Towards an Industrialised

SADC’.

Allow me to express my deepest gratitude to Emmerson Mnangagwa, the president of Zimbabwe, on your

assumption of the chairmanship of the SADC. 

I am confident that under your able leadership, we will witness the

continuation of the collective efforts and progress we all aspire to see in the SADC region.

I assumed the office of president of the Republic of Namibia on 4 February this year in the wake of one of the most challenging and

harrowing moments in the history of post-independent Namibia, following the passing of Hage Geingob. 

His legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to regional integration, peace and economic development. Namibians are grateful for the solidarity and support your excellencies and the

fraternal people of your respective countries extended to the Namibian people during that difficult period. We will never forget your warm display of solidarity during our moment of need and

sorrow.

While on this sad subject matter of bereavement and loss, allow me to convey our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Malawi, following the tragic death on 10 June 2024 of Saulos Chilima, the vice president of Malawi. 

Similarly, I would like to convey our sincere condolences to the government and people of Tanzania on the passing of Mzee Mwinyi, the second president of Tanzania, on 29 February. We salute these departed sons of Africa for their steadfast leadership and admirable service to their countries and the SADC

region at large.

As the president of Namibia, I shall continue from where my

predecessor left off by remaining committed to the goals and principles of our regional organisation and the aspirations of our people. Furthermore, I will tirelessly endeavour to play my part in ensuring that their dreams and hopes for a better future will materialise into a region characterised by peace, unity and economic prosperity. 

I join you in discharging this cardinal responsibility of contributing to the advancement of initiatives and programmes aimed at fostering economic growth and addressing regional challenges for the betterment of the living conditions of our people.

In the interests of advancing our developmental goals in the midst of continuous challenges, this year, Namibia is co-facilitating

alongside Germany the Summit of the Future during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Namibia has taken on this important role as a representative of the Global South. I can assure you that Namibia has accepted this task with the utmost dedication and willingness to add our collective voice so that we inclusively build a better world for current and future generations.

Namibia is scheduled to hold presidential and National Assembly elections on 27 November. I am pleased to inform the summit that the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC) has just concluded its goodwill mission to Namibia. 

As a nation that has enjoyed more than 34 years of peace and stability, we remain committed to the SADC principles and guidelines for democratic elections and will respect their findings and will pay attention to their advice and recommendations.

I wish to reiterate that the objectives of the Regional Strategic Indicative Development Plan 2020-2050 cannot be achieved if the fundamental pillar of peace, security and good governance is compromised. Our region is still faced with persistent security challenges in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following the resurgence of conflict and activities of armed groups, including the M23. This is a source of great concern for the region as it poses a potential threat to regional peace and security. It therefore requires a collective effort and stronger political will for us to ensure that peace comes to the people of the DRC. 

Let me extend our sincere condolences to the governments whose brave sons and daughters have sacrificed their lives while deployed in the SADC Mission in Mozambique (Samim) and the SADC Mission in the DRC (SamiDRC). 

They have lost their lives in support of the noble efforts of Mozambique and the DRC to combat violent conflict and

instability in our two sister countries.

I commend all member states for providing resources and materials in support of the Samim objective. Due to these collective efforts, the situation in Cabo Delgado has normalised and the displaced persons are returning to their places of origin.

In conclusion, let me express our gratitude to Elias Magosi, the executive secretary of the SADC and the secretariat for their commitment to serving our organisation and the people of our region.

I wish us all fruitful deliberations as we collectively seek to improve the lives of our people, and set the future of our region on the trajectory of democracy, peace and sustainable development. – President Nangolo Mbumba at the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government,

17 August 2024