SOUTHERN AFRICA has embarked on a number of short and long-term projects to bolster its power generation capacity by more than 42,000 megawatts (MW) as the region steps up efforts to avert a shortage of electricity in 2007.

The SADC region, with some of Africa’s fastest expanding economies, is feared to run out of surplus generation capacity after 2007.

Net regional generation capacity is expected to clock 45,000 MW by 2007 against peak demand of well over 45,000 MW at that time. [read more]

JAKAYA MRISHO Kikwete, the fourth president of the United Republic of Tanzania, has promised continuity of policies and improved living conditions for Tanzanians.

Kikwete was sworn into office on 21 December 2005 after sweeping more than 80 percent of the valid votes cast in elections the previous week. He promised to defend the gains made by his predecessor, especially in the economic sector, and to ensure good governance and the rule of law.

He promised to maintain peace, tranquility, national unity, accomplish the unfinished projects in education and health, promote human rights and combat poverty. [read more]





SADC EXECUTIVE secretary, Tomaz Augusto Salomão, has been touring the region to familiarise himself with developments in member states and appraise governments of the priority areas that he wants tackled during his tenure.

Salomão, who assumed office in September 2005, has so far visited Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Namibia, Madagascar, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He is expected to visit all SADC countries.

He has raised a number of pertinent issues during the visits to the various countries, including the need to develop a robust infrastructure base for the region . He is advocating for the introduction of a regional master-plan on development of roads , bridges, ports, air transport, irrigation and telecommunications infrastructure. [read more]





SADC IS promoting Transfrontier Conservation A reas and Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs) as alternative tourism products aimed atmarketing the region as a tourist destination.

In this regard, SADC is promoting community-public-private partnerships in tourism development, including participation by small-to-medium enterprises, women and youth.

Tourism-based SDIs are best witnessed in the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative where a multi-million dollar hotel facility is taking shape. [read more]