SADC

08/09/2026

08/09/2026

𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Eswatini, Honourable Senator Pholile Shakantu, who is also the Chairperson of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, on 8 September 2026.

The meeting marked the commencement of the SADC Secretariat's briefing mission to the Kingdom of Eswatini in its capacity as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation. Professor Theletsane is in Eswatini accompanied by a team of officials from the SADC Secretariat.

The Kingdom of Eswatini assumed the Chairship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on 17 August 2026, following its election by the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

As Chair of the Organ, Eswatini is entrusted with providing political leadership and strategic guidance in advancing the regional peace, security, governance and stability agenda. Read more 🔗 https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-secretariat-organ-director-pays-courtesy-call-eswatini-minister-foreign-affairs

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08/09/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼, 𝟯𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝟰 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) deployed, a team of electoral experts on an Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Kingdom of Lesotho from 31 August to 4 September 2026. The request is in line with the decision of the SADC Summit of August 2025 in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar, which reiterated the need for Member States to report annually on the implementation of the recommendations of the SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOMs), including challenges faced and the support required to achieve full implementation thereof.

The IEC requested intervention by the SADC Secretariat that would assist them in strengthening democratic governance, institutional and technical in consultation with the relevant electoral stakeholders. For the IEC, the mission specifically provides an important opportunity for them to engage with SADC electoral experts on the Commission’s institutional, operational and technical needs and to identify areas where targeted technical support can assist Lesotho in strengthening its electoral processes.
The NAM follows conclusion of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council’s (SEAC) Post-Election Review Mission that was undertaken in March 2026 in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections. According to the SEAC Post-Election Review, two (2) of the eleven recommendations have been implemented, while nine (11) are at various stages of implementation..

The SADC Secretariat team met with IEC Exco and further went on to meet with national stakeholders such as Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Speaker of the National Assembly, Political Parties (represented and non-represented in Parliament), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), the Media, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lesotho and the Lesotho Mounted Police Force.

The mission was supported from the Programme on Enhancing the Capability and Effectiveness of SADC’s Peace and Security Architecture (ECESPA). ECESPA is funded by the with the objective of enhancing the capability and effectiveness of SADC Peace and Security Architecture to enable early response and action.

07/09/2026

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) conveys its profound condolences to Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, on the passing of her beloved husband, His Excellency Hafidh Ameir Hassan.

During this period of great sorrow, the SADC family stands in solidarity with Your Excellency, your family, and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania. We share in your grief and offer our heartfelt sympathies, while praying that you find strength, comfort, and solace in the cherished memories of his life, service, and enduring legacy.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

06/09/2026

𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟱𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘀𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗶

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) extends its warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Government, and the people of the Kingdom of Eswatini on the occasion of the country's 58th Independence Anniversary, commemorated on 6 September 2026.

As a founding Member State of SADC, the Kingdom of Eswatini continues to play an important role in advancing regional integration, peace, stability, and sustainable development in the SADC region.

On this occasion, commemorating the attainment of independence from Britain on 6 September 1968, the SADC conveys its best wishes to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and all EmaSwati for continued peace, progress, and prosperity.

Halala Eswatini!

05/09/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘆𝗲, 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗮

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr Elias M. Magosi, has called on the SADC Secretariat's Management Team to embrace greater strategic focus, efficiency and collective action in developing and executing the Annual Corporate Plan (ACP) for 2027-28 Financial Year.

Speaking at the conclusion of the SADC Management Team Planning Retreat held in Mahalapye, Botswana, H.E. Magosi commended participants for a productive week of engagement, reflection and open discussions aimed at shaping priorities for the coming planning cycle.

The Management Retreat, facilitated by Ms. Veronica Mphathi, a Strategy and Change Management Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of the Serala Entrepreneurship College, offered an opportunity for Management Team to identify priorities aligned to the Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, the Skukuza Declaration, decisions of SADC Summit, Council of Ministers and Ministerial Committees.

"The ACP must reflect our collective commitment to delivering tangible results for the people of the region," the Executive Secretary said. "We must listen carefully to the needs and aspirations of our Member States and focus our efforts on outcomes that matter most to citizens."

The Executive Secretary highlighted transformative regional initiatives such as the Lobito Refinery, regional water transfer projects, the Trans-Kalahari Railway and the Regional Gas Master Plan as examples of interventions with the potential to accelerate regional integration and improve the livelihoods of the people of the SADC region.

He encouraged Management Team to identify and prioritise additional high-impact programmes capable of driving sustainable socio-economic development while strengthening regional integration.

"We must focus on what is realistically possible and avoid developing planning frameworks that become mere wish lists," he said. "Our plans should be coherent, prioritised and capable of producing measurable impact."

During the Retreat, Directors and Heads of Unit from the SADC Secretariat reflected on the achievements made in the last financial year and presented their prioritised outputs and activities for the 2027-2028 Financial Year.

04/09/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗥𝗛𝗥, 𝗛𝗜𝗩, 𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗠&𝗘/𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Joint Regional Meeting of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Gender Programme Managers and Monitoring & Evaluation/Health Information Systems (M&E/HIS) Experts concluded on 4th September 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, following five days of intensive deliberations.

Convened by the SADC Secretariat in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) under the 2gether 4 SRHR and RAISE SRHR initiatives, the meeting brought together 145 representatives from 15 SADC Member States, development partners and technical experts.

Discussions focused on accelerating implementation of the SADC SRHR Strategy 2019-2030, strengthening data-driven accountability, improving access to quality integrated SRHR/HIV/GBV services, advancing adolescent and youth SRHR, and building resilient health systems capable of responding to humanitarian, climate-related and public health emergencies.

Key outcomes included the development of Country Road Maps outlining national SRHR priorities and actions; validation of the SADC Conceptual Framework for Investing in SRHR and Youth for the Demographic Dividend; and agreement on a roadmap for developing a regional framework on SRHR in humanitarian emergencies, including climate change.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of Member States and partners to translate regional commitments into concrete action, strengthen accountability and ensure that evidence informs policies, programmes and investments for improved health outcomes across Southern Africa.

03/09/2026

SADC SRHR Regional Meeting Advances Focus on Data, Universal Access and Resilient SRHR Services

The third day of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional meeting to accelerate implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Strategy 2019-2030 focused on strengthening evidence-based programming, universal access to SRHR services, peer learning and the resilience of SRHR interventions, including in humanitarian and public health emergency settings.

The day brought together two complementary streams focused on strengthening equitable access to quality SRHR services and improving the use of quality SRHR data for evidence-based decision-making. Country teams explored regional priorities, good practices and opportunities for peer learning, while national M&E, Strategic Information and Health Information Systems personnel were equipped to apply the RHIS Guidelines to improve SRHR data collection, quality, analysis and use.

Panel discussions highlighted country experiences and promising approaches to integrated youth-friendly services and the meaningful engagement of young people in policy, programme and strategic decision-making forums.

Together, these efforts reinforce a shared regional commitment to responsive, evidence-informed, equitable and integrated SRHR/HIV/GBV programming across SADC Member States.

02/09/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in Disaster Risk Management through its participation in the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN) Strategic Policy Dialogue on Disaster Management (SPDDM) 2026 from 19 to 20 August 2026.

The engagement provided an important platform for strategic dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership-building regional intergovernmental humanitarian institutions from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Caribbean.

The Director of SHOC, Mr. Anderson Banda, participated in the high-level dialogue, engaging with regional Disaster Management leaders, Development Partners, and Humanitarian organisations to share experiences on strengthening Multi-Hazard Early Warning systems, disaster preparedness, Anticipatory Action, and coordinated Emergency Response. The participation forms part of SHOC's broader strategy to establish strategic partnerships that enhance regional resilience and operational readiness across the SADC region.

Held under the auspices of ASEAN's regional disaster management cooperation framework, the Strategic Policy Dialogue brought together senior policymakers and practitioners to discuss emerging disaster risks, climate-induced hazards, innovations in humanitarian response, and opportunities for cross-regional collaboration. The discussions highlighted the growing importance of integrated early warning systems, regional coordination mechanisms, risk-informed decision-making, and the application of technology in disaster preparedness and response.

Read more on this article from the SADC Website throigh this link: https://www.sadc.int/latest-news/sadc-humanitarian-and-emergency-operations-centre-strengthens-strategic-partnerships

02/09/2026

𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗜𝗗𝗦 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆

UNAIDS in collaboration with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Government of South Africa and the People’s Republic of China has convened a strategic exchange workshop on pharmaceutical manufacturing and health security in Southern Africa from 31 August to 4 September, 2026 in South Africa.

The workshop has brought together governments officials, Chinese pharmaceutical companies, regional manufacturers, research institutions, financing and development partners, and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) to explore opportunities to strengthen regional production of medicines, diagnostics and health technologies.

The exchange will focus on technology transfer, investment, innovation, stronger regional value chains and more resilient health systems.