# tblSANF

title:
Stronger ties for Africa and China - “ Friendship, Peace, Cooperation and Development”

Abstract:
RELATIONS BETWEEN China
and Africa are poised to grow
stronger after both sides agreed
to strengthen economic, cultural
and political ties.

body:
RELATIONS BETWEEN China
and Africa are poised to grow
stronger after both sides agreed
to strengthen economic, cultural
and political ties.
Economic cooperation was
one of the main issues that
emerged from the Forum on
China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC) held in Beijing in November.
Chinese President Hu Jintao
announced a set of measures,
spanning the whole spectrum of
relations between China and
Africa. The measures covered
political, economic, technological,
social and cultural relations
and are aimed at creating a win-win
situation for both parties.
These include a US$3 billion
preferential loan package and a
US$2 billion “preferential buyers'
credits” to Africa in the coming
three years.
The Asian country, an emerging
world economic power, also
promised to set up a US$5 billion
China-Africa Development Fund
to encourage Chinese companies
to invest in Africa. The fund will
be used to provide start-up capital
to Chinese companies wishing
to invest in Africa.
In a move expected to benefit
several SADC countries, China
pledged to double aid to Africa
by 2009 and to cancel all debt
owed to it by African countries
that became due in 2005.
Hu announced that China will
also train more than 10,000
African professionals in various
fields; set up 10 centres of agricultural
excellence in the three
years; build schools and clinics;
and cooperate with African countries in politics and multilateral
issues.
China pledged to establish
up to five trade and economic
zones in Africa by 2009 in a
move that will see the Asian
country opening up its market
to African producers by increasing
from 190 to 440 the number
of duty-free export product
from least developed African
countries with diplomatic ties
with China.
This year marks the 50th anniversary
of the inauguration of
diplomatic relations between
the People's Republic of China
and African countries.
In a move aimed at bolstering
Sino-African political ties, the
Chinese will build a conference
centre for the African Union.
One of the highlights of the
summit was the holding of the
first meeting of the China-Africa
Business Council in Beijing, signalling
new efforts by China
and Africa to boost cooperation
in private sector.
The business council was
first established in 2005 to create
a service network and communication
platform for Chinese
and African businesses.
The two sides agreed on the
need to create favourable conditions
to maximise the role of private
businesses, which will inject
new life into Sino-African relations.
With domestic market competition
tightening at home,
Chinese private businesses view
Africa as a viable market with a
lot of opportunities.
The Chinese enterprises
pledged to help their African
counterparts strengthen local infrastructure
and improve living
standards.
Bilateral trade between China
and Africa totalled US$40 billion
in 2005 while the Asian country
invested US$6.3 billion in Africa
during the same year, according
to official Chinese statistics.
Africa's exports to China as a
proportion of trade with industrialised
countries have grown
from 0.43 percent in 1990 to 8.96
percent in 2004, and these are set
to expand as a Chinese-driven
commodity price boom takes
the world by storm.
The most significant opportunity
opened-up to Africa by
China's rapid growth is the enhanced
incentive provided by
rising commodity demand and
prices.
Many African economies, including
most SADC Member
States, have rich primary product
resources.
The FOCAC summit also
presented an opportunity for
both China and Africa to
strengthen cultural ties.
Cultural exchanges and cooperation
have become an important
part of Sino-African relations
and have promoted mutual
friendship.
To date, China has signed
156 cultural cooperation contracts
with African countries,
and more than 50 cultural
groups representing the Chinese
government have visited
Africa. Over 170 African state
cultural troupes have visited
China.
The FOCAC summit was attended
by more than 1,700 delegates
who included 48 African
leaders and representatives of
over 20 international organisations.
FOCAC is a mechanism for
collective dialogue and cooperation
jointly established by China
and Africa to cope with new
challenges and facilitate common
development.
Since the launch of the
FOCAC in 2000, two ministerial
conferences have been held in
Beijing and Addis Ababa.
The theme for the summit
was “friendship, peace, cooperation
and development”.


title:
Polls in DRCongo and Madagascar complete SADC elections calendar

Abstract:
WHEN HE was sworn in as president
a few days after his father's
death, few outside the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) gave the
then 29-year-old Joseph Kabila
much chance of bringing peace to
the country.

body:
Joseph Kabila - A unifying force in DRC
WHEN HE was sworn in as president
a few days after his father's
death, few outside the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) gave the
then 29-year-old Joseph Kabila
much chance of bringing peace to
the country.
Many doubted his commitment
to comply fully with the 1999 Lusaka
Accords that called for the withdrawal
of all foreign troops from
the DRC and an end to fighting.
Within a few months of assuming
power and despite his youth
and relative inexperience, the new
DRC president proved the sceptics
wrong by reviving the faltering
Lusaka agreement, opening the
country to United Nations peacekeepers
and commencing work on
the country's poverty-stricken
economy.


Excerpts from the
SADC Election Observer Mission Preliminary Statement on DRC Elections
THE SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation re-deployed
its Electoral Observer Mission
to the Democratic Republic of the
Congo to observe the run-off Presidential
and Provincial Elections from
18 - 31 October 2006. The Mission was
redeployed in terms of the provisions
of the SADC Protocol on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation and
the SADC Principles and Guidelines
Governing Democratic Elections.
As provided for in the Principles
and Guidelines, His Excellency
Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, the President
of the United Republic of Tanzania
and Chairperson of the SADC
Organ on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation appointed Hon.
Brigadier-General Adam Mwakanjiki
(Rtd.) to lead the Mission.
The Mission comprised of 52
members, 7 of which were female,
drawn from 7 Member States and
the Secretariat. The Mission recognized
the complementarity of its
work with that of electoral observation
teams under various organizations
operating in SADC region such
as the Parliamentary Forum (PF)
and Electoral Commissions Forum
(ECF) of SADC countries. The Mission
also recognized SADC national
observer teams and SADC citizens that came under Civil Society Organizations.
This presence augmented
the voice and the eyes of SADC
from all walks of life.
SADC began its formal electoral
observation in June 2006 during the
Parliamentary and first round Presidential
elections. Like in the first
round, the redeployment of SADC
Mission also began with the Extra-
Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial
Committee of the Organ (MCO)
on Politics, Defence and Security
Cooperation held on 19 - 20 October
2006 in Kinshasa.
The Mission covered the width
and length of the country through
field observer teams pre-positioned
in Kinshasa, Kisangani, Kananga,
Bukavu, Lubumbashi and Mbanza-
Ngugu. The field teams worked in
coordination with MONUC and
other international observers especially the AU and other National
Observer Teams from SADC Member
States. ...
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation and
the SADC region as whole congratulate
the people of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo for peaceful and
transparent elections. The orderly
manner in which voters cast their
votes coupled with strict adherence
to the electoral law and procedures
made the process unquestionably legitimate
and credible. Transparency
was particularly ensured through
the presence of representatives of the
candidates who, at the end of vote
counting, received a signed copy of
certificate of results at each counting
centre


SADC Electoral Observer Mission
has therefore no reservations
in commending the Independent
Electoral Commission for its efforts
to ensure a successful conclusion of
these complex elections. It is legitimate
in this regard, to state that the
29th October 2006 Run Off Presidential
Elections of the DRC were
peaceful, transparent, well managed
and credible. ...
Issued on 31 October 2006
Kinshasa, DRC.
He began a series of high-level
meetings at home and abroad. He
met in Kinshasa with the presidents
of Angola, Namibia and
Zimbabwe, who were his father's
staunchest allies during the civil
war against Ugandan and Rwandan-
backed rebel movements, a
war which left more than a third of
this huge and wealthy country
outside the control of Kinshasa.
The allies had pledged to continue
support for the new president
despite the heavy toll on their
own economies caused by their
participation in the three-year war.
The new President Kabila met
with South Africa's President
Thabo Mbeki shortly after taking
the oath of office and just before
leaving for talks in Paris, Washington
and New York.
He met President Jacques Chirac
in France, attended a prayer
breakfast with the newly inaugurated
President George W.
Bush in Washington and met
senior officials of that new
administration including
Secretary of State Colin
Powell. Kabila also met
with top UN officials, including
members of the Security
Council in New York.
The meetings were all crucial,
both for DRC and for the Great
Lakes region. The rebels and their
backers controlled much of the eastern
part of the country and insisted
that they would pull out only when
a democratic government was elected
by all citizens of DRC and when
Rwandan border security was guaranteed,
from Hutu militias accused
of the genocide of Tutsis and moderate
Hutus in 1994.
The UN agreed to
send about 5,500, mostly
African, peacekeepers
to the DRC under
the 1999 Lusaka Peace
Accords. However, except
for a handful of observers,
the UN would
not deploy the force
until conditions for peacekeeping had improved.
Born on 17 June 1971, Kabila
spent most of his early years in
exile with his father, Laurent, who was a fierce opponent
of late former Zairean
leader, Mobutu Sese
Seko.
He attended school
in the United Republic
of Tanzania following
which he went for military
training in China.
At the time of his father's
death in 2001, the young Kabila
was commander of the DRC
army and took over as president of
the then volatile country.


Abstract:
MADAGASCAR COMPLETED southern Africa's
2006 elections calendar with
presidential polls scheduled
on 3 December.

body:
MADAGASCAR COMPLETED southern Africa's
2006 elections calendar with
presidential polls scheduled
on 3 December.
The elections attracted a
strong field of 14 candidates
vying for the right to lead the
Indian Ocean island for the
next five years.
Incumbent President Marc
Ravalomanana was expected to
win ahead of the 13 challengers
who include one woman -
human rights activist, Elia Ravelomanantsoa.
Other candidates were the
former speaker of the National
Assembly, Jean Lahiniriko; former
church minister, Richard Andriamanjato;
and Roland Ratsiraka,
mayor of the port city of Toamasina
and nephew of the former
president, Didier Ratsiraka.
Nominations for candidacy
were confirmed by the country's
High Court on 19 October,
with three other applicants
being rejected.
President Ravalomanana assumed
power after defeating
Didier Ratsiraka in the controversial
2002 poll in which both
candidates claimed victory,
until the latter fled to France.
The poll was moved ahead
of the initially scheduled date
at the end of December or beginning
of January to avoid disruption
by the bad weather expected
during that period.
Since coming to power in
2002, Ravalomanana has embarked
on widespread economic
and social reforms that
stirred the southern African
country out of decades of recession.
He has won the support of the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund who are
supporting his economic liberalisation
policies.
In 2004, Ravalomanana led a
bid for his country to join
SADC and the Indian Ocean island
was formally accepted
into the regional family at the
25th Summit in Botswana in
2005.
Although current poverty
levels are high, Madagascar's
economic potential is enormous.
The country is the
largest producer of vanilla in
the world in value terms, but its
farmers have suffered from
perpetually low commodity
prices.
With an economy largely dependent
on agriculture - which
along with fishing and forestry
contributes at least 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) - the island also produces
coffee, cassava, bananas,
maize, sugarcane, potatoes and
rice.
Mining and tourism sectors
have shown signs of recovery
and the government has projected
increases in mineral exports
from about US$100 million
to US$150 million per year
over the next 10 years.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
Country Last elections Incumbent Winner Next elections Term of office Last elections Party with majority
Next elections Term of office Year of
independance
Angola 1992 J.dos Santos,MPLA Dos Santos TBA 5 MPLA 1992 TBA 5 1975
Botswana 2004 F. Mogae, BDP Mogae 2009 5 2004 BDP 2009 5 1966
DRC 1960 J.Kabila, AMP Kabila 2006 5 2006 AMP 2011 5 1960
*Lesotho 2002 P. Mosisili, LCD Mosisili, PM 2007 5 2002 LCD 2007 5 1966
Madagascar 2001 D. Ratsiraka,AREMA M.Ravalomanana, TIM 2006 5 2002 TIM 2007 5 1960
Malawi 2004 B. Muluzi,UDF Mutharika,UDF 2009 5 2004 UDF 2009 5 1964
Mauritius 2003 Offmann/by national assembly Jugnauth/ by national assembly 2007 5 2005 Social Alliance 2010 5 1968
Mozambique 2004 J. Chissano,Frelimo A. Guebuza,Frelimo 2009 5 2004 FRELIMO 2009 5 1975
Namibia 2004 S. Nujoma, Swapo H. Pohamba, Swapo 2009 5 2004 SWAPO 2009 5 1990
South Africa 2004 T. Mbeki, ANC Mbeki, ANC 2009 5 2004 ANC 2009 5 1994
*Swaziland N/A Barnabas Sibusiso Dhlamini Themba Dlamini N/A 2003 2008 5 1968
Tanzania 2005 B. Mkapa, CCM J. Kikwete, CCM 2010 5 2005 CCM 2010 5 1961
Zambia 2006 L. Mwanawasa, MMD Mwanawasa, MMD 2011 5 2006 MMD 2011 5 1964
Zimbabwe 2002 R. Mugabe, ZANU PF Mugabe, Zanu PF 2008 6 2005 Zanu PF 2010 5 1980
Southern Africa elections calendar



Abstract:
A BOOMING tourism industry
in SADC will contribute
significantly to the socio-economic
development of the region,
says Namibia's President
Hifikepunye Pohamba.

body:
A BOOMING tourism industry
in SADC will contribute
significantly to the socio-economic
development of the region,
says Namibia's President
Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Addressing more than 300
delegates who attended the
SADC-European Union (EU)
Tourism 2006 Forum in
Namibia, Pohamba said the
tourism potential in the SADC
region is exceptionally high and offers opportunities for
further development.
Tourism accounts for an average
of 14 percent of the SADC
Gross Domestic Product and 15
percent of regional employment,
according to statistics from the
EU-SADC Investment Promotion
Programme (ESIPP).
Industry players and investors
agreed to join hands in
creating a vibrant tourism sector.
With the demand for travel
to the region expected to increase significantly over the
next four years, SADC offers
attractive investment opportunities
for companies involved
in the tourism, hospitality and
related sectors.
Thousands of tourists are
expected to visit the region in
2010 when South Africa hosts
the soccer World Cup.
The SADC-EU Tourism 2006
Forum gave an opportunity to
tourism promoters and entrepreneurs
to present projects to
European financial institutions
including the European Investment
Bank for funding.
The three-day event was
aimed at facilitating the formation
of business partnerships between
EU and entrepreneurs
and investors in the SADC region.


Abstract:
ANGOLA AIMS to be the second
largest economy in sub-Saharan
Africa within the next five
years.

body:
ANGOLA AIMS to be the second
largest economy in sub-Saharan
Africa within the next five
years.
The country's Finance Minister,
José Pedro de Morais, said
Angola has one of the fastest
growing economies in the
world, with the estimated rate
for 2006 reaching 20.6 percent,
based on an oil production increase
and recovery in other
economic sectors.
The country's economy has
grown by an average of 12.5 percent
and, as a result, its per capita
income is estimated at
US$2,000, which puts Angola in
the group of countries with high
standards of living.
The government's accounts
have improved significantly,
registering a surplus of 8.5 percent
of the Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) in 2005, up from
1.1 percent in 2004.
According to the Minister,
the non-oil sector has seen improvements
in the agricultural
field, thanks to progress in landmines
clearance, introduction of
irrigation systems and the social
reintegration of displaced
populations.
The construction sector
is also growing due
to the number of public
and private projects that are being implemented in
all provinces.
A new city, Nova Cidade de
Luanda, is being built south of
Luanda to house four million
people from the overcrowded
capital, to which more than half
of the country's population migrated
during the 27-year civil
war.
According to Gabinete de Reconstrução Nacional (National
Reconstruction Office), which
was set up in 2005 to oversee
Angola's post-war reconstruction programme, Chinese
building companies
will undertake the project ,
paid for by Angola's oil
wealth.
Another project is the Cabinda
Urbanisation Project, a pilot
scheme of 44 fifteen-storey residential
blocks to be built near
Cabinda by the China International
Fund (CIF).
CIF also has contracts for reconstruction
of the Benguela and
Mocamedes railways, some diamond
partnerships with the
state-owned Empresa de Diamantes
de Angola and some civil
construction projects.


Abstract:
CHINA SAYS it will soon appoint
a private Chinese entrepreneur
to run the Tanzania-
Zambia Railway Authourity
(Tazara) in partnership with the
Tanzanian and Zambian governments.

body:
CHINA SAYS it will soon appoint
a private Chinese entrepreneur
to run the Tanzania-
Zambia Railway Authourity
(Tazara) in partnership with the
Tanzanian and Zambian governments.
The Chinese were given a
one-year period to select and
recommend to the two countries
a private firm to operate Tazara.
The move follows conclusion
of the World Bank and
Chinese government studies
which have been handed over
to the two countries for recommendation
on the way forward
of the privatisation process.
In 2005, the Tanzanian and
Zambian governments, through
Tazara's Council of Ministers, issued
a joint communiqué declaring
that the Chinese would be
given a first right of refusal in
considering Tazara's Private Sector
Participation (PSP) options.
A report has since been submitted
to the two governments
with recommendations on how
best PSP could be introduced in
Tazara.


title:
Interactive website for South Africa's presidenc

Abstract:
SOUTH AFRICA'S presidency
has introduced a new, interactive
website which is expected
to enhance accountability in
the government's highest office.

body:
SOUTH AFRICA'S presidency
has introduced a new, interactive
website which is expected
to enhance accountability in
the government's highest office.
The website - www.thepresidency.
gov.za- allows users to
make suggestions and comments
which would be taken up
by the presidency's communications
unit.
It also offers the public “an
insightful look into the internal
workings of the institution” and
will present the presidency as a
body that “symbolises excellence
in government,” according
to Director-General of the
Presidency, Frank Chikane.
The interactive nature of the
website will allow the media
and academics to engage with
the presidency and use the information
available to ensure
greater accountability.
The website takes Internet
users through the diaries of the
president and deputy president,
special projects being undertaken
by the presidency as
well as the leaders' thinking on
topical issues such as moral regeneration,
affirmative action,
sexism and the African renaissance.
It also provides links to the
websites of all the government
departments, provincial governments,
the six metropolitan
councils and all of South Africa's
political parties as well as links
to the United Nations, the European
Union and others. (BuaNews)


title:
Botswana firm invents fingerprint device

Abstract:
A BOTSWANA firm has invented
a fingerprint authentication
devise that is set to bring a new
dimension to cellphone and
computer security.

body:
A BOTSWANA firm has invented
a fingerprint authentication
devise that is set to bring a new
dimension to cellphone and
computer security.
According to Pule Mmolotsi,
owner of Gaborone-based Worldwide
Technologies, people will
no longer worry about their telephone
codes being stolen or others
reading their private files in
case of shared computers.
With the new system, a person
can verify that he/she is the
authentic owner of a cellphone or computer pin code by placing
a fingerprint on a sensor on the
device. The dialling tone will
automatically come on once the
device identifies the fingerprint
as belonging to the owner of the
phone.
Mmolotsi said he developed
the technology with research associates
from Malaysia.
“The final product is going to
be ready by January next year and it would be followed by a
launch probably in March,” he
said.
Mmolotsi is currently engaged
in a massive campaign to
promote his product in
Botswana and other countries.
He has also received several
licensing enquiries from companies
in Australia, Ghana, South
Africa and Indonesia. (BOPA)


Abstract:
BIO-DIESEL is being considered
as low-cost alternative fuel for
powering cellphone base stations
as cellular companies target
Africa's rural areas for expansion
of telecommunication services.
With feedstock of groundnuts,
pumpkin seeds and palm oils,
the base stations will be cheaper
to operate than stocking conventional
diesel generators.
The project is expected to
lower the cost of operating base
stations in rural areas.
Already cellphone company
MTN has embarked on an expansion
project that has seen it
introduce mobile phones in
rural areas in countries such as
South Africa and Nigeria. (Business Day)

body:
BIO-DIESEL is being considered
as low-cost alternative fuel for
powering cellphone base stations
as cellular companies target
Africa's rural areas for expansion
of telecommunication services.
With feedstock of groundnuts,
pumpkin seeds and palm oils,
the base stations will be cheaper
to operate than stocking conventional
diesel generators.
The project is expected to
lower the cost of operating base
stations in rural areas.
Already cellphone company
MTN has embarked on an expansion
project that has seen it
introduce mobile phones in
rural areas in countries such as
South Africa and Nigeria. (Business Day)


Abstract:
BOTSWANA'S MOBILE
phone industry is about to receive
a major shake-up with the
start of open registration for
cell phone-specific website addresses.

body:
BOTSWANA'S MOBILE
phone industry is about to receive
a major shake-up with the
start of open registration for
cell phone-specific website addresses.
The general public can now
register websites ending with
“.mobi” as the backers of the
mobile net hope to overturn
consumer apathy.
Only 10 percent of cell
owners use their phones to
surf the net due to concerns over cost, speed and poor content.
Sites ending “.mobi” are designed
for phones and must
meet agreed standards.
The organisation charged
with overseeing the domain
name registration, Mobile Top
Level Domain, expects 200,000
mobile sites to be registered in
the next year.
It costs about US$25 to register
a “.mobi” site for a minimum
two-year period. (The Voice)


title:
Animal antibiotic to control parasites in livestock

Abstract:
AN ANIMAL ANTIBIOTIC to
control internal and external
parasites in livestock has been
developed in Zimbabwe by the
Scientific and Industrial Research
and Development Centre
(SIRDC).

body:
AN ANIMAL ANTIBIOTIC to
control internal and external
parasites in livestock has been
developed in Zimbabwe by the
Scientific and Industrial Research
and Development Centre
(SIRDC).
The antibiotic, Sirdamectin ,
is being registered with the
Medicines Control Authority
of Zimbabwe for commercial
production, and SIRDC is
working with the Medical
Control Authority of Zimbabwe
to get its manufacturing facility
qualified.
The introduction of the drug
made locally will significantly
reduce the cost of fighting animal
diseases, the SIRDC chief
executive, Robson Mafoti, said,
adding that his organisation is
working with the department
of veterinary services in carrying
out an efficacy trial for the
drug.
Large numbers of cattle die
from tick-borne diseases in the
SADC region, especially during
the rainy season.
Mafoti said that Sirdamectin
is one of the most effective animal
drugs ever produced.
"Our animal antibiotic Sirdamectin
will revolutionise
the agricultural sector. Sirdc
continues with its research
agenda in order to come up
with other products, some of
which we shall soon be commercialising."


title:
Ambassador Legwaila Joseph Legwaila - UN Under-Secretary-General and Special
Adviser on Africa

Abstract:
AFRICA IS well represented
in a top United Nations post
with the appointment of Ambassador
Legwaila Joseph
Legwaila of Botswana as
Under- Secretary-General and
Special Adviser on Africa.

body:
AFRICA IS well represented
in a top United Nations post
with the appointment of Ambassador
Legwaila Joseph
Legwaila of Botswana as
Under- Secretary-General and
Special Adviser on Africa.
Legwaila is well known and
widely respected throughout
Africa, and has held key decision-
making positions during
events that were major turning
points for the region and continent.
He served as Deputy Special
Representative of the Secretary-
General during the delicate
process of Namibia's transition
to independence in 1989 and
1990.
Later, in South Africa in
1993 and 1994, he was the Special
Representative of the Secretary-
General of the Organization
of African Unity (OAU), as the continent's representative
at a key moment in its history,
watching over the first
democratic elections that formally
ended the system of
apartheid.
Previously, he had served as
the Special Envoy of the Chairperson
of the Frontline States to
the Kingdom of Lesotho.
Legwaila was Botswana's
ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United
Nations in New York for more
than 20 years.
During this period, he also
served as his country's concurrent
High Commissioner to
Guyana from 1981 and Jamaica
from 1982, and concurrent Ambassador
to Cuba from 1983; all
until 2001.
He served most recently as
the Secretary-General's Special
Representative for the
United Nations Mission in
Ethiopia and Eritrea
(UNMEE).
Legwaila is widely known
throughout the UN system, and
is respected for his integrity
and dedication. A notable ingredient
in his success is his
sense of humour.
Born on 2 February 1937,
Legwaila Joseph Legwaila
began his career as a primary
school teacher in Botswana.
From 1973-1980, he worked
in the Presidency with
Botswana's founding President,
Chief Seretse Khama, before
being posted to New York as
ambassador.
He served three times as
Vice-President of the UN General
Assembly – in 1981, 1987
and 1991. He represented
Botswana on the Security
Council, and served as the
Council President in February
1995 and March 1996.
Legwaila's appointment
was announced by the UN
Secretary-General, effective
May 2006. He replaces Ambassador
Ibrahim Gambari of
Nigeria.
Source: Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, United Nations
(OSAA) www.un.org/africa/osaa/bio.html  

Legwaila: “2007 the Year of Results ”
LEGWAILA SPOKE recently of the key targets
for the coming year and the important role of
the private sector in reaching the targets of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“In the past few years, Africa has been accorded high priority on the global development
agenda. I am happy to note that the
years 2005 and 2006 have witnessed many
positive developments in Africa, as well as
strong support by the international community.
The increased international support has resulted
in notable commitments in support of
Africa's development in a number of areas, especially
in increased development aid and
debt relief .
“Building on the progress of the past two
years, the most important thing now is to use
the window of opportunity created by the
growing momentum of international support
to turn these commitments into concrete
results, and to set the African countries
firmly on the path to sustainable
growth and development.
“While 2006 has been called “The Year of Action”
by the UN Millennium Development Project,
it is my sincere hope that we will manage
to turn 2007 into the “Year of Results”.
“Meeting the Millennium Development
Goals in Africa will require sustained efforts by
all stakeholders, and the private sector has a
key role to play in this task.
“The Millennium Development Goals and
the development of the private sector are inextricably
linked. The existence of a vibrant private
sector is one of the most important preconditions
to growth, poverty reduction and development
in Africa.
“The Millennium Development Goals cannot
be achieved without the active involvement of the
private sector, through job generation, investment
and promotion of trade. Equally, the Millennium
Development Goals are of great relevance to the
success of the private sector, to the extent that the
need to achieve the goals is spurring countries to
create favourable institutional environment, adequate
infrastructure, and access to financing.”


title:
SADC rolls out 2007 schools essay competition

Abstract:
THE SADC Secretariat has
launched the 2007 secondary
schools essay competition targeting
students within the 14-
member regional economic
community.

body:
THE SADC Secretariat has
launched the 2007 secondary
schools essay competition targeting
students within the 14-
member regional economic
community.
The competition aims to increase awareness among the youth about regional co-operation
and integration affairs .
The essays are expected to
answer the question: “What do
you think are the causes of
poverty in the SADC region
and what steps should be taken
by SADC Member States and non-state actors to eliminate
poverty?”
The winner will receive a
cash prize of US$1,500 while the
first runner-up will get $1,000
and the second runner-up gets
$750.
The 2007 essay competition
has, for the first time since its
launch eight years ago, attracted
sponsorship — from the
Southern Africa Trust (SAT),
which is funded by the Department
for International Development
(DFID).
The length of the essay
should be between 2,000 and
2,500 words and can be written  in English, French or Portuguese,
the three official languages
of SADC.
The essay competition was
approved by the SADC Council
of Ministers in August.
Entries are to be forwarded
to the SADC national contact
point or the Ministry of Education
in the respective countries.
Deadline for submission of entries
is 31 May 2007.
The winners will be awarded
their prizes during the official
opening ceremony of the
27th SADC Summit of Heads
of State and Government to be
hosted by Zambia in 2007.


title:
Mozambique and Mauritius renew cultural agreement

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE AND Mauritius
have revived their 1993
agreement that will cater for
cultural exchange and preservation
of sites of historical importance,
as well as account
the joint production and marketing
of social, cultural and
artistic products.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE AND Mauritius
have revived their 1993
agreement that will cater for
cultural exchange and preservation
of sites of historical importance,
as well as account
the joint production and marketing
of social, cultural and
artistic products.
Education and Culture
Minister Aires Aly from
Mozambique and his Mauritian
counterpart Mahendra
Gwressoo. signed the agreement.
The agreement is envisaged
to enhance the development of
inter-governmental programmes
and the interchange
between institutions, academics
and the producers of art and
culture in both countries.
The two countries have
shared some historical experiences
dating back to the colonial
era. Between 1760 and
1762, slaves were trafficked to
Mauritius from the southern
Mozambican province of Inhambane.


Abstract:
THE KINGDOM of Lesotho
marked its 40th independence
anniversary on 4 October with a
new flag that was hoisted to
erase the memories of military
rule.

body:
THE KINGDOM of Lesotho
marked its 40th independence
anniversary on 4 October with a
new flag that was hoisted to
erase the memories of military
rule.
The new flag has three
colours — blue for rain, white
depicts peace and green indicating
prosperity.
It is inscribed with a coneshaped
hat worn by the country's
indigenous Basotho people.
The flag replaced the one
designed by a military government.
The old flag has similar
colours but portrayed a
shield, a knobkerrie and
spears.


Abstract:
ART IS an important instrument
that can be used to build
bridges among the citizens of a
country, between people of various
nationalities and between
generations.

body:
ART IS an important instrument
that can be used to build
bridges among the citizens of a
country, between people of various
nationalities and between
generations.
This came out of an exhibition
in Germany in October by
a young Namibian artist, Imke
Rust. The Berlin exhibition was
opened by Namibia's Ambassador
to Germany, Peter Katjavivi.
Rust's Memories exhibition
focused on the absence of her
grandfather who was detained
in a camp in South
Africa during the Second
World War.
Katjavivi described the exhibition
as raising “wider questions
about the separation of
families.”
He stressed that Namibians
from other communities, as
well as people from other countries,
could relate to her work.
Namibia has been through
many conflicts, had many men
and women detained and separated
from their families.
The ambassador also emphasised
that it was appropriate
to have this exhibition in
Berlin, where families had been
separated in the past.
He praised Rust's art as “not
being conventional, but powerful
and provocative”, and “of
making us question our memories,
our societies, and our behaviour”.


Abstract:
THE AFRICA Environment Outlook is
produced by the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP) in Nairobi through its
Division of Early Warning and Assessment,
at the request of the African Ministers
Conference on Environment
(AMCEN), while monitoring and analysis
is undertaken by regional collaborating
centres.

body:
THE AFRICA Environment Outlook is
produced by the UN Environment Programme
(UNEP) in Nairobi through its
Division of Early Warning and Assessment,
at the request of the African Ministers
Conference on Environment
(AMCEN), while monitoring and analysis
is undertaken by regional collaborating
centres.
Africa Environment Outlook 2: Our Environment, Our Wealth is inspired by two
landmark documents of the United Nations
-- the Brundtland Commission's
report, Our Common Future, and Agenda
21, which emerged from the Earth Summit,
the 1992 UN Conference on Environment
and Development (UNCED) in
Brazil.
AEO 2 reaffirms the need for sustainable
livelihoods, and the importance of
environmental initiatives in supporting
them. The theme is “Environment for
Development”.
The collaborating centre for Southern
Africa is SARDC's I Musokotwane
Environment Resource Centre for
Southern Africa (IMERCSA), which has
also produced with SADC the forthcoming Southern Africa Environment
Outlook.
Available from Division of Early
Warning and Assessment (DEWA),

UNEP, P.O. Box 30552 Nairobi 00100,

Kenya or from SARDC.

E-mail: cep@sadc.net

or

africa.coordinator@unep.org
Website www.sardc.net

www.unep.org/dewa/africa


title:
Human Development to 2015:Reaching for the Millennium Development Goals

Abstract:
THE NATIONAL Human Development
Report 2005 shows that Mozambique's
human development indicators are continuing
their upward trajectory as the
Human Development Index, calculated
from national data, continues to rise. The
HDI is based on indicators for GDP, education,
and life expectancy.

body:
THE NATIONAL Human Development
Report 2005 shows that Mozambique's
human development indicators are continuing
their upward trajectory as the
Human Development Index, calculated
from national data, continues to rise. The
HDI is based on indicators for GDP, education,
and life expectancy.
This report presents the relevance of
the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) and their close connection with
national development strategies, and reflects
on the challenges to be faced in
meeting the Millennium targets by 2015.
The document outlines an independent
intellectual reflection on the challenges towards
reaching the MDGs with conjectures
on the strengths, opportunities,
weaknesses and threats that can be detected
in specific targets.
The report was prepared for UNDP
by the three partner institutions, National
Statistics Institute (INE), Higher Institute
of International Relations (ISRI) and
Southern African Research and Documentation
Centre (SARDC) Mozambique
office.
The document is accessible in full text
and searchable online in English and
Portuguese through the Virtual Library
for Southern Africa at www.sardc.net
Available in English/Portuguese in
one volume from UNDP, 
Avenida Kenneth

Kaunda, 131, Maputo, and

SARDC Mozambique, Rua D. Afonso Henriques,

141, Maputo.
Email registry.mz@undp.org

or

sardc@maputo.sardc.net

Website www.undp.org.mz

www.sardc.net


Abstract:
OLIVER REGINALD Kaizana
Tambo was leader of the African
National Congress (ANC) for 23
years.

body:
OLIVER REGINALD Kaizana
Tambo was leader of the African
National Congress (ANC) for 23
years.
His clear vision, quiet dedication
and total commitment, and his consummate
diplomatic skills, led the
movement through difficult times
of the liberation struggle, the hopeful
times as the neighbouring countries
gained independence, and
through an extended period of negotiations
that began in the 1980s
when he had the courage to authorize
contact with the first Afrikaner delegation that sought meetings with the ANC.

President Thabo Mbeki has described
Tambo as the “key architect of our revolution
who carried the South African nation to the eve
of freedom and democracy.”
It is widely acknowledged that Tambo sacrificed
his own health and eventually his life to drive the negotiations, based on the Harare Declaration, which was adopted
by the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations, and became
the foundation for negotiations that brought an end to the apartheid regime.
“But like Albert Luthuli, OR had a clear vision of a non-racial, nonsexist
and democratic society,” wrote a member of the ANC Executive Committee
in October as commemorations began, leading to the renaming of the main
South African airport.
Nor did he regard himself as a hero, reserving that status for the children
and people in the townships of South Africa whom he believed provided the
courage for the struggle that he knew would, one day, successfully remove
the apartheid system.
O.R., as he was affectionately known, provided the heart and the inspiration
to a liberation movement in exile, that eventually carried it through to
the majority rule elections of 27 April 1994, a day he did not live to share as
he died the previous year. But he was home.
He returned to South Africa in 1991 after spending more than 30 years in
exile, and died from a stroke at the age of 75 in April 1993, a year before
South Africa's first democratic elections.
In the decade following 1994, with attention focused on his close friend
and former legal partner, Nelson Mandela, and his personal assistant and
protégé, Thabo Mbeki, sometimes it appeared that the major contribution of
this humble man had been forgotten.
But not by those who mattered, and on his birthday, 27 October, when he
would have been 89 years old, South Africa's main international airport was
renamed OR Tambo International.
Nothing could be a more fitting memorial to Tambo than the busiest airport
on the continent, the hub of Africa, visited by millions of people every
year.


title:
Angola's independence a milestone for the region

Abstract:
ANGOLA'S INDEPENDENCE on 11 November 1975, after
almost 15 years of the liberation war, marked a turning point
in southern Africa that eventually lead to the liberation of
Namibia and South Africa.

body:
ANGOLA'S INDEPENDENCE on 11 November 1975, after
almost 15 years of the liberation war, marked a turning point
in southern Africa that eventually lead to the liberation of
Namibia and South Africa.
There followed 27 years of foreign-backed civil war that
drew in the neighbouring countries and sent a flood of
refugees out across the national boundaries.
But Angola's peace after the ceasefire agreement
signed in April 2002, was a significant
boost to the growing peace and regional integration
and development in SADC.
Africa's second largest oil-producing country,
Angola is enjoying a robust economic
growth that leapfrogged to the highest real
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the region
of 15.6 percent in 2005, and has spurred the
region's growth rate of about six percent.
Thirty-one years ago, on 11 November,
Agostinho Neto of the Popular Movement for
the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) was proclaimed
the country's first president. In the
capital, Luanda, huge crowds cheered and soldiers
fired shots in the air as the new flag was raised at
midnight.


Abstract:
THE MOZAMBICAN government plans to erect monuments
for its founding President, Samora Moises Machel, in
all provinces by 2011, the 25th anniversary of his death.

body:
THE MOZAMBICAN government plans to erect monuments
for its founding President, Samora Moises Machel, in
all provinces by 2011, the 25th anniversary of his death.
President Armando Emilio Guebuza made this announcement
during the 20th anniversary of Machel's death
in a plane crash at Mbuzini, in South Africa, on 19 October
1986.
Machel died with 34 others on their return from neighbouring
Zambia where they had gone to attend a Frontline
States meeting.


body:
PUBLICATIONS
Ecological debt: The Health of the
Planet and the Wealth of Nations

by Andrew Simms

UK, London, Pluto Press, 2005

224pp.

This book explores a great paradox of our age:
how the global wealth gap was built on
ecological debts, which the world's poorest are
now having to pay for. Highlighting how and
why this has happened, Andrew Simms shows
what can be done differently in the future, and
what steps we can take to stop pushing the
planet to the point of environmental bankruptcy.

The author was one of the original organisers of
the Jubilee 2000 debt release campaign.
Available from Pluto Press, 345 Archway Road,

London N6 5AA

www.plutobooks.com





Gender-Based Regional Integration Plan:
Strategic Implementation Framework
(SIF) 2006-2010

Botswana, Gaborone, SADC, 2005

23pp.

The Gender-Based Regional Integration Plan:
Strategic Implementation Framework (SIF) 2006-
2010 is a detailed framework developed in line
with the 1997 SADC Declaration on Gender and
Development, the 1998 Addendum on the
Elimination of Violence Against Women and
Children, and the SADC Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). The
framework was developed by the SADC Gender
Unit with the help of a stakeholders' consultative
conference on the SADC Gender and Development
programme held in December 2005 in Gaborone.
This document is intended to guide the design and
implementation of gender programmes and
activities in the region over the next five years.
Available from SADC Gender Unit, SADC

Secretariat, P/Bag 0095, Gaborone, Botswana

Email gender@sadc.int or mmadibela@sadc.int






The Kingdom of Lesotho:
26th SADC Summit 11 - 18 August 2006

Botswana, Gaborone, SADC, 2006

131pp.

This publication highlights the activities of SADC
as part of documentation for the 2006 SADC
Summit held in Maseru. It provides profiles of
SADC's leaders including the most recent, the
President of Madagascar, and the new SADC
Executive Secretary. This is a special issue with
focus on Lesotho, showing its main areas of
economic and social activities.
Available from SADC Secretariat P. Bag 0095

Gaborone Botswana.

E-mail registry@sadc.int.

Website www.sadc.int




Angola National Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan (NBSAP)

Angola, Luanda, MINUA, 2006

54pp.

The document presents actions to incorporate
adequate measures into development policies
and programmes to prevent the degradation of
ecosystems and loss of biodiversity.
Available from Ministry of Urban Affairs and
Environment, Avenida 4 de Fevereiro, 30, Caixa

Postal 83, Luanda, Angola.

E-mail minua@snet.co.ao













body:
CURRENCY CHECKLIST
Country Currency (US $1)
Angola Kwanza (100 lwei) 80.37
Botswana Pula (100 thebe) 6.37
DRC Congo Franc 537.50
Lesotho Maloti (100 lisente) 7.63
Madagascar Ariary 9,305.00
Malawi Kwacha (100 tambala) 137.98
Mauritius Rupee (100 cents) 32.90
Mozambique Metical (100 centravos) 25.86
Namibia Dollar (100 cents) 7.59
South Africa Rand (100 cents) 7.59
Swaziland Lilangeni (100 cents) 7.54
Tanzania Shilling (100 cents) 1,273.00
Zambia Kwacha (100 ngwee) 3,800.00
Zimbabwe Dollar (100 Cents) 250.00
October 2006


body:
Public Holidays in SADC
 December 2006 - February 2007

9 December Independence Day Tanzania
10 December International Human Rights Day Namibia
16 December Day of Reconciliation South Africa
22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe
25 December Christmas Day All SADC
26 December Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho,
Swaziland, Malawi
26 December Family Day Namibia
26 December Day of Goodwill South Africa
26 December Public Holiday Zimbabwe
1 January New Year's Day All countries
4 January Martyrs' Day Angola, DRC
12 January Zanzibar Revolutionary Day Tanzania
15 January John Chilembwe Day Malawi
17 January Lumumba Hero Day DRC
18 January Kabila Hero Day DRC
1 February Abolition of Slavery Mauritius
3 February Heroes' Day Mozambique
4 February National Armed Struggle Day Angola


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2006
November 2006
20-23 Namibia
Second Zambezi Stakeholders Dialogue

The Zambezi Action Plan Project 6, Phase II (ZACPRO 6.2) in
partnership with the World Conservation Union's Regional Office
for Southern Africa, Global Water Partnership Southern Africa,
SADC/DANIDA Awareness Programme, the SARDC's
Musokotwane Environment Resource Centre for Southern Africa
(Imercsa) and the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development
host the second Zambezi Basin Stakeholder Conference to discuss
Integrated Water Resources Management issues in the Zambezi
river basin.

December
29 Nov- 1 Dec Zambia
Mines 2006

The fourth in a series of sector partnership meetings held under
the EU-SADC Investment Promotion Programme (ESIPP), this
focuses on Mining. It is a forum where promoters and
entrepreneurs from southern African will present a selection of
new and high-quality business development projects in the
Mining sector to European and other international investors.
3 Madagascar
Presidential elections


This will be the eighth presidential election held since 1965. The
President is elected by direct popular vote for a five - year term and
the country's electoral system provides for a run-off in the eve n t
that there is no clear winner from the first round.
4-5 Switzerland
Implementation and follow-up of WSIS

An experts meeting with the theme “Using ICTs to Achieve
Growth and Development” will follow up on resolutions of the
November 2005 conference of the World Summit for an
Information Society (WSIS). The meeting is organised by the
International Telecommunications Union, a specialised agency
of the United Nations.

January
17-20 Ethiopia
African Union Summit

The Assembly of Heads of State and Government from the
African Union's 53 member countries will meet in Addis Ababa
for its eighth ordinary session, with the theme “Science,
Technology and Research for Africa's Socio-Economic
Development”. The meeting will be preceded by the Ordinary
Session of the Permanent Representatives and the Ordinary
Session of the Council of Ministers.

20-25 Kenya
7th World Social Forum


The World Social Forum is an annual meeting held by members of
the anti-globalisation movement to coordinate world campaigns,
share and refine organising strategies, and inform each other about
movements from around the world and their issues.
Civil society groups will debate and formulate proposals, share
experiences and network for effective action under the theme
“People's Struggles, People's Alternatives”.
February
TBA Lesotho
SADC Council of Ministers

Ministers from each Member State sit in Council, usually from
the ministries of foreign affairs, economic development,
planning or finance. The Council is responsible for supervising
and monitoring the functions and development of SADC, and
ensuring that policies are properly implemented, as well as
making recommendations to Summit.

19-24 Cyprus
International Conference on the Environment


Organised by Near East University of Cyprus, the conference
aims to bring together around 2000 scholars and researchers
from over 90 countries around the world to discuss
environmental issues from a variety of perspectives. Discussions
will focus on the survival and sustainability of the environment.


Abstract:
THE YEAR 2007 is set to be a watershed period for
southern Africa as it marks the dawn of a potential
energy crisis.

body:
THE YEAR 2007 is set to be a watershed period for
southern Africa as it marks the dawn of a potential
energy crisis.
With some of Africa's fastest expanding
economies, the SADC region has been projected to
run out of surplus generation capacity in 2007.
The SADC economy has grown steadily over the
past decade with an estimated six percent growth rate
in 2006 on the back of strong performances by a number
of countries, including Angola and Mozambique.
The strong growth has not been matched by corresponding
investment in power generation capacity
to support swelling household and industrial demand
as well as other users that are constantly
being added to the regional grid.
Figures released by the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) show that total annual demand will reach
44,689 megawatts (MW) by the end of 2007 against
combined net generation capacity of 45,000MW.
At current growth rate, total regional demand
for electricity is projected to hit 45,827MW by the
end of 2008; 47,920MW in 2009; 48,795MW in
2010; and 50,291MW in 2011.
The initial effects of the energy shortfall were
felt in 2006 when several countries in the region
experienced power cuts.
The SADC region requires at least US$5.2 billion
between now and 2011 to rehabilitate existing
power stations and invest in short-term electricity
generation projects, according to SAPP,
which coordinates the planning and operation of
electricity power systems among SADC Member
States.
Rehabilitation and associated infrastructure
projects, most of which are under construction
and scheduled for completion before the end of
2007, will add 3,200MW of power to the SADC
grid at an estimated cost of US$1.4 billion.
Short-term generation projects,
for which feasibility studies
and environmental-impact assessments
have been completed,
will cost the region an estimated
US$3.8 billion while adding
about 4,200 MW to the regional
grid on completion in 2010/11.
Almost all SADC countries
have embarked on projects to
boost their electricity generation.
The initiatives being pursued
range from conventional infrastructure
projects to innovations
– all in the hope of ensuring
southern Africa's long-term energy
security.
Southern Africa's power
shortages were previously expected
to hit the region in the
last half of 2007, but events on
the ground indicate that demand
has outstripped supply at
a pace not originally expected
and has surpassed regional load
forecasts. Some countries are already
experiencing electricity
shortages.
The bulk of the infrastructure
projects are bilateral arrangements
between members.
One of these is a hydropower
station being co-funded
by the Namibian and Angolan
power utilities, NamPower and
ENE, respectively.
Construction of the Baynes
hydroelectricity power station
will start soon following the
signing of a bilateral agreement
between the two governments.
“We expect to generate 360
MW from the Baynes project to
be built on the Kunene River in
Angola,” explains NamPower
Managing Director, Paulinus
Shilamba.
The project will be capable of
generating electricity for a
period of up to 12 months
in the event that there is
a drought in the region.
Like several other
SADC Member States, Namibia is keen to attain selfsustenance
on energy generation
amid fears that the region's
major electricity suppliers will
run out of excess electricity in
2007.
South Africa, which accounts
for more than 75 percent of
SADC's electricity generation
capacity, has struggled to keep
pace with domestic demand.
Zambia, the United Republic
of Tanzania and Kenya (a member
of the East African Community)
have decided to link their
power utilities in a move to ease
electricity shortages for the
three countries.
The project, known as the
Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya Power
Interconnection Project, is expected
to assist Tanzania and
Kenya to access electricity from
the SAPP grid, as well as reducing
electricity costs for the three
countries.
The power trade project will
be developed in two phases at an
estimated cost of US$660 million.
The first phase, to cost
US$358 million, is scheduled to
start in March and will be completed
by 2009. It will build a
transfer capacity of 200 MW of
electricity.
Phase two is to cost US$302
million for another transfer capacity
of 400 MW upon completion
in 2014.
Apart from transmission of
power, the towers carrying the
high voltage transmission conductors
will also carry low voltage
conductors for rural electrification
along the transmission
corridor.
The three governments have
secured grants of US$800,000 for
preparatory activities from the
Infrastructure Project Preparatory
Fund of the New Partnership
for Africa's Development
(NEPAD).
Other projects planned for
the region include three thermal power stations that Zimbabwe
intends to construct with support
from China.
A Zimbabwean firm, Ele Resources,
has entered into a
US$1.3 billion deal with China
Machine-Building International
Corporation for a joint venture
that will result in the development
of three thermal power
stations and a coal mine in the
Zambezi valley.
The first of the power projects
will be ready for generation
by the end of 2009, according to
Evison Musangeya, Chief Executive
of Dande Capital Holdings.
Dande Capital is the parent
company of Ele Resources.
“We expect that by mid-2007,
implementation of the thermal
power plant projects will have
started. We expect to commission
the plant 18 to 24 months after starting the project,” said
Musangeya.
South Africa is also considering
strengthening links with
China in the field of nuclear
technology. This comes in the
wake of problems at its Koeberg
nuclear power station near Cape
Town that plunged most of
South Africa and neighbours
such as Namibia into darkness
when it broke down last year.
A private company in Swaziland
has also announced plans to
construct one of southern Africa's
largest thermal power stations.
The power station, being
proposed by Canham Mining
International, will produce
about 3,500 MW of electricity.
The Swaziland Electricity
Board is carrying out a feasibility
study on the project before
construction can start.


Abstract:
ANGOLA BECAME the 12th
member of the Organisation of
Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) following its admission
to the group of developing
countries whose economies rely
on oil revenue.

body:
ANGOLA BECAME the 12th
member of the Organisation of
Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) following its admission
to the group of developing
countries whose economies rely
on oil revenue.
The SADC member becomes
the second country from sub-Saharan
Africa to join OPEC, and
the first new member since Nigeria
joined in 1971. Ecuador and
Gabon joined OPEC in 1973 and
1975, but left the organisation in
1992 and 1994, respectively.
Other OPEC members are
Algeria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq,
Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab
Emirates and Venezuela.
While Angola joined on 1
January, the southern African
country will not be part of the
OPEC quota system until
March. Its quota will be set
based on Angola's February
production.
OPEC members coordinate
their production policies to stabilize
the oil market pricing and
to help producers achieve a reasonable
rate of return on their
investments.
This is also designed to ensure
that consumers continue to
receive stable supplies of oil.
Each member state is allocated
a quota based on projections
of future world demand and
supply of oil.
Ministers of energy and hydrocarbon
affairs from OPEC member
countries meet twice a year to
review the status of the international
oil market and forecasts for
the future. They agree on appropriate
actions which will promote
stability in the oil market.
Angola produces about 1.4
million barrels per day but the
figure is projected to rise to two
million barrels a day by the end
of 2007 as new oil fields are discovered.


title:
Unified action
Science and technology plan for Africa

Abstract:
AFRICA HAS developed a consolidated
action plan on science
and technology that integrates
the programmes and projects of
the New Partnership for Africa's
Development (NEPAD) into the
structures of the African Union.

body:
AFRICA HAS developed a consolidated
action plan on science
and technology that integrates
the programmes and projects of
the New Partnership for Africa's
Development (NEPAD) into the
structures of the African Union.
Africa's Science and Technology
Consolidated Plan of Action articulates
Africa's common objective
of socio-economic transformation
and full integration into the
world economy.
It reaffirms the continent's
commitment to collective action
for developing and using science
and technology to meet its
objectives, and marks the start of
an African process to strengthen
scientific and technological capacities.
The Consolidated Plan of Action
evolved from a series of regional
and continental workshops
involving a participatory
process of consultations by
African governments, scientists,
policy-makers, civil society and
international partners.
The plan places emphasis on
developing an African system of
research and technological innovation
by establishing networks of
centres of excellence dedicated to
research and development, and
capacity-building programmes.
Africa has largely adopted a
short-term view to human development
and has continued to
rely on external financial support
often targeting short-term
activities and solutions.
As a result, the continent has
failed to invest in science, technology
and innovation as
sources and drivers of economic
growth and long-term sustainable
development.
Other problems affecting
Africa's science, technology and
innovation system include weak
links between industry and science
and technology institutions,
and a mismatch between
research and development activities
and national industrial development
strategies and goals.
Research findings from public
research institutions do not, therefore,
get accessed or used by local
industries, particularly small and
medium-sized enterprises.
The overall goals of this consolidated
plan are thus to enable
Africa to harness and apply science,
technology and related innovations
to eradicate poverty
and achieve sustainable development;
and to ensure that
Africa contributes to the global
pool of scientific knowledge and
technological innovations.
The success of the consolidated
plan of action is premised on
the implementation of some
flagship research and development
programmes and projects
over the next five years.
The programmes are organised
into clusters based on their
relationships and potential of establishing
inter-related networks
of implementing institutions.
The cluster will focus on biodiversity,
biotechnology and indigenous
knowledge; energy,
water and desertification; material
sciences, manufacturing,
laser and post-harvest technologies;
information and communication
technologies, and space
science and technologies; and
mathematical sciences.
The biodiversity cluster programme
aims to strengthen
Africa's scientific and technological
capacities for biodiversity
conservation and sustainable
use. It focuses on measures to
build a strong conservation science
foundation and generate
sustainable use of technologies.
Special emphasis will be
placed on promoting Africa's indigenous
knowledge base, particularly
their role in biodiversity
conservation and their contribution
to food production, fighting
HIV and AIDS, and reducing
environmental degradation.
An African Conservation Science
Training Scheme is being
proposed, which will provide financial
and technical resources for training in conservation science.
It will provide fellowship
grants to Masters of Science and
Doctor of Philosophy students to
enable them to study at African
universities.
The energy, water and desertification
cluster will focus on
building a sustainable energy
base for Africa; securing sustainable
water resources; and combating
drought and desertification.
The overall objective of this
programme is to enlarge Africa's
energy security through the generation
and application of scientific
knowledge and related technological
innovations.
Through the material sciences,
manufacturing, laser and
post-harvest technologies cluster,
Africa aims to build scientific
and technical capacity to conduct
research in materials required
to boost production.
The African Materials Research
Society was formed in
2002 in Senegal and is a continental
network dedicated to materials
science and technology
development. It is a relatively
young organisation and needs
strengthening.
It is planned that, through the
information and communication
technologies, and space science
and technologies cluster, Africa
will establish a continental research
network on information and communication technologies.
This will bring together leading
universities and research centres
to design and implement projects
that generate software with
African content.
The cluster programme on
mathematical sciences aims to
strengthen Africa's capacity in
the mathematical sciences.
The programmes and projects
constitute the first generation of
continental and regional activities
that were defined and agreed
upon at regional consultations.
Additional projects will be
designed in the life of the Science
and Technology Consolidated
Plan of Action.
The initial timeframe for implementing
the projects is 2006-2010.
Africa's Science and Technology
Consolidated Plan of Action is the
instrument for implementing the
decisions of the first African Ministerial
Conference on Science
and Technology held in Johannesburg
in November 2003.
The plan gives practical
meaning to the decision of the
Second Ordinary Session of the
Assembly of the AU held in July
2003 in Maputo to integrate the
NEPAD programme into AU
structures and processes.
The document is a product of
the AU Commission and the
NEPAD Office of Science and Technology.


SADC RESOLVED in 2006 to establish
a science and technology
office within the Secretariat in a
quest to maximise co-ordination
and promotion of such issues in
the region, and to support national
initiatives in this regard.
Science and technology was
identified as a key area in boosting
economic growth and social
development, as scientific research
applications cut across various
development areas such as
agriculture, health and education.
SADC Ministers of Science
and Technology who met in South Africa in July 2006 also
resolved to build on the framework
for science and technology
developed by Zimbabwe in
April of the same year.
The framework outlines
plans for the sector in the region
and ways to mobilise financial
and technical resources to implement
projects of the Regional
Indicative Strategic Development
Plan (RISDP).
It also calls for co-ordination
in implementing the NEPAD
Science and Technology Plan in southern Africa.



title:
As SADC Free Trade Area beckons
Zimbabwe embarks on economic recovery

Abstract:
ZIMBABWE HAS embarked on
an economic recovery programme
that pins the nation's
hopes on mutual understanding
among all sectors of society and
has the potential of putting the
country on course to attaining
SADC economic targets.

body:
ZIMBABWE HAS embarked on
an economic recovery programme
that pins the nation's
hopes on mutual understanding
among all sectors of society and
has the potential of putting the
country on course to attaining
SADC economic targets.
The new economic revival
programme will be split into two
phases, with the first phase running
from March to June and
phase two from July to December.
Decisions are to be made
and targets set during February,
including agreement on capping
of wages, prices and incomes.
The first phase will involve
the establishment of a “social
contract” among labour, government
and the business sector, as
well as civil society and political
parties; and the mobilisation of
foreign exchange through offshore
lines of credit and exports.
A transitional package is
being proposed under the social
contract, underpinned by “well sequenced,
complementary economic
policies backed up by unwavering
political support and
commitment as a basis for an
economy ready to take-off, free
of artificial controls, and one
ready to receive new investment
inflows from across the globe.”
The country intends to reduce
inflation to single-digit levels
by December 2008, underpinned
by fiscal prudence and a
tight monetary policy, and able
to feed itself at all times with surplus
for export.
Zimbabwe currently has the
world's highest inflation rate,
pegged at 1,281.1 percent in December
2006.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
(RBZ) said Zimbabwe's
inflation should end
2007 pegged at around 65
percent before declining
further to single-digit
levels in 2008 in line
with the SADC target.
The SADC vision is to have
all the 14 Member States registering
inflation figures of below
five percent by 2012 and three
percent by 2018.
The inflation target is part of
measures being pursued by the
region as it moves towards
macro-economic convergence
and the creation of a Free Trade
Area in 2008.
Other macro-economic targets
are on the ratio of budget
deficit to Gross Domestic Product,
levels of publicly guaranteed
debts, and the amount of
import cover.
Restoration of confidence in
the economy will be another key
component of the transitional
economic package, in which
Zimbabwe promises to honour
existing Bilateral Investment
Protection and Promotion
Agreements (BIPPAs) and institute
corrective measures on previous
violations.
The country has signed a
number of BIPPAs with countries
from the region and other
parts of the world, which are
meant to safeguard investments
by nationals of those countries.
“By its nature, investment
capital is a highly timid wind,
which swiftly changes course at
the slightest signal of disrespect
for private property rights,” said
RBZ Governor, Gideon Gono.
A government team will embark
on a global investment promotion promotion
drive in February and
March to assure investors of
Zimbabwe's commitment to the
sanctity of private property
rights.
The Zimbabwe Investment
Authority will also be launched
during the first phase. President
Robert Mugabe signed the Zimbabwe
Investment Authority Act
on 29 December 2006.
The Act provides for the
merger of the Zimbabwe Investment
Centre and the Export
Processing Zones Authority,
resulting in the establishment
of a one-stop organisation
with the responsibility of processing,
planning and implementing
investment promotion
strategies.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to
the SADC Protocol on Finance
and Investment.
The protocol is an important
stepping stone for a region
whose target is to become a free
trade area by 2008 and a customs union two years later.


title:
Macroeconomic convergence
targets for SADC 2008

Abstract:
Inflation rate single digit by
2008;
Diversify (increase non-traditional
exports) and sustain
export growth rate of at
least five percent annually

body:
Inflation rate single digit by
2008;
Diversify (increase non-traditional
exports) and sustain
export growth rate of at
least five percent annually;
Increase in intra-regional
trade to at least 85 percent
by 2008;
Ration of budget deficit to
Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) not exceeding five
percent by 2008;
Nominal value of public and
publicly guaranteed debt should be less than 60 percent
of GDP by 2008;
External reserves/import
cover of at least three
months by 2008 and more
than six months by 2012;
Increase level of savings to
at least 25 percent of GDP
by 2008 and to 30 percent
by 2012;
Gradual interconnection of
payments and clearing systems
in SADC by 2008;
Achieve currency convertibility
by 2008.


Abstract:
ANGOLA SAYS it will not join
the SADC Free Trade Area in
2008 and wants more time before
it can fulfill the conditions
to join.

body:
ANGOLA SAYS it will not join
the SADC Free Trade Area in
2008 and wants more time before
it can fulfill the conditions
to join.
The Angolan Minister for
Planning, Ana Dias Lourenço,
said Angola has not developed
sufficiently to join the Free
Trade Area.
“Integration would be a
threat or an opportunity, so we
have to analyze the measures we
plan to take so that we can be a
part of the free trade area and
benefit from that process in a
balanced manner, allowing for
the competitive development of
the Angolan economy,” said Lourenço.


title:
Africa to discuss roadmap on Union government

Abstract:
THE NEXT African Union
heads of state and government
summit in Ghana in July will be
devoted primarily to the setting
up of the envisaged United
States of Africa..

body:
THE NEXT African Union
heads of state and government
summit in Ghana in July will be
devoted primarily to the setting
up of the envisaged United
States of Africa..
This was one of the major outcomes
of the 8th Ordinary Session
of the African Union (AU)
held in Ethiopia in January.
It is expected that the African
leaders will use the Accra summit
to discuss the roadmap to
setting up the continental government.
The 9th Ordinary Session of
the Assembly will be held from
1-3 July under the theme
“Grand Debate on the Union
Government”.
The United States of Africa is
the name given to a proposed
future unification of Africa as a
national and sovereign federation
of states.
The phrase “United States of
Africa,” was first used by Jamaican
civil rights activist,
Marcus Garvey, in his poem
“Hail, United States of Africa”
in 1924.
Ghana's first post-independence
president, Kwame
Nkrumah, Ethiopian emperor,
Haile Selassie, and President
Julius Nyerere of the then Tanganyika,
took the idea forward
in 1963 to form the Organisation
of African Unity, the forerunner
of the AU.
The idea has recently been
advanced by Libyan leader,
Muammar Gaddafi, at a summit
of African heads of state and
government in 2000 in Togo,
and by Alpha Oumar Konare,
chairperson of the African Commission,
on the occasion of the
commemoration of Africa Day
on 25 May 2006.
There is, however, a lot to be
done before the dream of a United
States of Africa can become a
reality.
A unified African government
would, among other things, assume the creation of a
continental central bank, a common
currency, a unified military
and parliament.
The Pan-African Parliament
is so far the only crucial building
block of the envisaged
United States of Africa already
in place.
In existence since 2004, the
continental parliament is an advisory
body for the first five
years, not legislative, and thus faces the challenge of being
taken seriously in its deliberations
and interventions.
The ideal of a unified army
will be another challenge because
of recurrent conflicts
within and among countries.
The continent is hoping to
use economic integration as an
entry point into the creation of a
Union government although
differences in levels of development
between countries and reincludgions
could slow down
progress.
Africa has over the past
decade aimed to unleash its economic
might through a coordinated
development approach
modelled around Regional Economic
Communities (RECs).
The RECs are the essential
building blocks of the African
Economic Community (AEC)
envisaged to be in place by 2028.


title:
African diplomatic passport set for launch in May

Abstract:
AFRICA IS expected to launch a
continental diplomatic passport
in May, which will be issued to
heads of state and government,
ministers, ambassadors and leaders
of African institutions.

body:
AFRICA IS expected to launch a
continental diplomatic passport
in May, which will be issued to
heads of state and government,
ministers, ambassadors and leaders
of African institutions.
The symbolic launch of the
African diplomatic passport by
the African Union (AU) Commission
will be the highlight of
Africa Day celebrations in
Ethiopia on 25 May.
Africa Day celebrates the day
when the Organization of
African Unity was formed in
1963. The OAU is the precursor
to the AU.
According to AU Commission
chairperson, Alpha Oumar
Konaré, the introduction of the
diplomatic passport is a symbol
of African solidarity.
“Experts are presently addressing
this symbolic decision,”
said Konaré when addressing the
10th ordinary session of the AU
Executive Council.
Konaré noted that “this document
will be strictly reserved
to heads of state, ministers, ambassadors
and institutions' officials
in order to enable them to
travel across the continent without
the need for any visa.”
Under the current arrangement,
heads of state and government,
ministers and leaders of
major institutions require visas
to enter most African countries, except in cases where both
countries have signed reciprocal
visa exemption agreements.
It will complement efforts by
various African regions, including SADC, to introduce common
visas that will facilitate easier
and faster travel between
countries of the same regional community.


title:
Some of the main outcomes of the AU
Eighth Ordinary Session

Abstract:
A call for Africa's cooperating
partners to support
Member States and Regional
Economic Communities
to effectively integrate climate
change and mitigation
measures into their development
plans and to implement
them;

body:
A call for Africa's cooperating
partners to support
Member States and Regional
Economic Communities
to effectively integrate climate
change and mitigation
measures into their development
plans and to implement
them;
Countries to take ownership
of important commitments
on improving food security,
including making adequate
resources available;
An undertaking to promote
and support research
and innovation among
young people, as well as
the creation of the requisite
human and institutional
capacities in member
countries;
Establishment of the
African Education Fund to
improve the level and standard
of education on the
continent;
The AU Commission to
organise a continental
conference on Economic
Empowerment of African
Women whose objective
will be to articulate strategies
to elevate the economic
status of the continent's
women, including
the establishment of the
African Trust Fund for
Women;
Declaration of 2007 as the
International Year of
African Football and the
ushering in of the 2010
World Cup as an African
event;
Launch of competition on
the design of a new AU
flag; and
A call for the European
Union to extend beyond
December 2007 the deadline
for negotiations of
the Economic Partnership Agreements.


Abstract:
COOPERATION BETWEEN
Africa and China took a bold
leap forward following the conclusion
of a highly successful
eight-nation tour by Chinese
President Hu Jintao.

body:
COOPERATION BETWEEN
Africa and China took a bold
leap forward following the conclusion
of a highly successful
eight-nation tour by Chinese
President Hu Jintao.
Chinese Foreign Minister, Li
Zhaoxing, said the visit was a
journey of friendship and cooperation
and a major step forward
in Sino-African relations following
the Beijing Summit of the
Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC) of November 2006.
Half of the countries visited
by Hu were in southern Africa
and the trip is expected to boost
growing trade ties and ensure
that aid pledges made by China
at the FOCAC summit are carried
out.
The African visit by Hu,
which began on 30 January,
took the Chinese leader to
Cameroon, Liberia, Sudan,
Zambia, Namibia, South Africa,
Mozambique and Seychelles.
The Chinese president assured
African leaders that his
country will never impose its
ideology, social system or mode
of development on others.
He briefed African leaders
on China's efforts to carry out
the eight steps unveiled during
the FOCAC.
The eight steps include
China's pledge to double its assistance
to Africa by 2009.
China will provide US$3 billion
of preferential loans and US$2
billion of preferential buyer's
credits to Africa.
China will also establish a
development fund of US$5 billion
to encourage Chinese firms
to invest in Africa.
Debt cancellation, the opening
up of the Chinese market to
African products and broadening
of China-Africa cooperation
in the economic and social
fields are the other targets
agreed during the
FOCAC summit.
The measures will be
carried out in accordance
with the principles
of mutual benefit, friendly
consultations, high efficiency
and pragmatism, the Chinese
president said, adding that they
must cater for the needs of the
African people.
More than 50 cooperation
agreements were signed during
Hu's African visit. These included
the cancellation of Mozambique's
debt amounting to US$20
million, a US$15 million interestfree
loan for the construction of
new stadium in Maputo, and
US$195 million worth of soft
loans to be used in developing
infrastructure in Mozambique.
The new stadium is expected
to be ready in time for South
Africa's hosting of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup. It will be made
available to teams from outside
southern Africa as they try to acclimatize
to regional conditions
prior to the World Cup finals.
China will also help build a
pilot centre on agricultural
technology in Mozambique's
northern province of Nampula.
“We must continue to deepen
our excellent relations of friendship
and cooperation, link the
enormous potential existing in
Mozambique to Chinese technologies,
and diversify partnerships
between businesses of our
two countries,” said President
Armando Guebuza.
Hu's visit to Namibia resulted
in the signing of five cooperation
agreements in the areas of the
economy, technology, human resources,
education and tourism.
In Zambia, Hu hailed the
“all-weather” friendship between
the two countries, pledging
to remain a good friend,
partner and brother to the
southern African country.
Eight cooperation agreements
were signed following
talks between Hu and Zambian
President Levy Mwanawasa.
These will see the Chinese
investing US$800 million in
Zambia's mining, manufacturing
and agricultural sectors as
well as the creation of a special
economic zone in Chambishi in
Copperbelt province, the first
one to be set up by China in
Africa. Chinese companies will
enjoy a tax holiday in the special
economic zone.
Mwanawasa pledged to further
improve his country's investment
environment and
hoped that more Chinese and
foreign enterprises will settle in
the zone, bringing along with
them know-how and expertise
necessary for the development
of Zambia.
Beijing also agreed to write
off part of Zambia's bilateral
debt to China.
“This will go a long way in
boosting economic development
in our country,” said
Mwanawasa.
The Chinese president also
met former Zambian president,
Kenneth Kaunda, who thanked
China for the aid and moral
support it offered for Zambia's
struggle against colonial rule.
Kaunda said bilateral relations
between the two countries
have moved forward over the
years. The Tanzania Zambia
Railway Authority (Tazara) railway
built with the assistance of
China is the symbol of friendship
and cooperation between
China and Africa.
Tazara was constructed between
1970 and 1975 through
an interest-free loan of about
US$500 million from the People's
Republic of China. It started
commercial operations in
July 1976, thus giving Zambia
access to the port of Dar es
Salaam and reducing dependence
on the southern transport
routes through then Rhodesia
and apartheid South Africa.
Tazara is an integral part of
the southern Africa regional rail
transport network and currently
handles exports and imports
of the United Republic of Tanzania
and Zambia, as well as
the Democratic Republic of
Congo, Malawi, South Africa,
Zimbabwe and the Great Lakes
region.
Hu paid tribute to South
Africa, which in the 12 years
since achieving majority rule
has become China's biggest
trading partner in Africa.
“The new South Africa, since
its founding, has made remarkable
achievements in national
reconciliation and economic and
social development," Hu said.
The two countries signed
agreements on economic and
technical co-operation and
launched a website to foster
commercial ties.
Among the agreements were
protocols on the sanitary conditions
for the export of grapes
and tobacco from South Africa
to China as well as for the import
of pears and apples to
South Africa from China.
Trade between South Africa
and China reached US$240 million
in the first 11 months of
2006, an increase of 34.5 percent
from the previous year.


Abstract:
PRIME MINISTER Pakalitha
Mosisili and his Lesotho Congress
for Democracy (LCD) were
returned to power in the 2007
general elections held on 17 February.

body:
PRIME MINISTER Pakalitha
Mosisili and his Lesotho Congress
for Democracy (LCD) were
returned to power in the 2007
general elections held on 17 February.
The LCD won in 61 of the 80
directly contested constituencies
while its main challenger, All Basotho
Convention (ABC), came
second with 17 seats. The Alliance
of Congress Parties (ACP)
got one seat with one to come.
The LCD has been in power
since May 1998 while the ABC
was formed in October 2006 by
former communications minister,
Thomas Thabane, who, together
with 18 other parliamentarians,
resigned from the LCD
government after complaining
of non-delivery.
Lesotho currently holds the
rotating chair of SADC, with
Mosisili the chairperson
of the organisation until August/
September when he is
expected to pass the leadership
to Zambian President,
Levy Mwanawasa.
Lesotho is a constitutional
monarchy in which King Letsie
III serves a largely ceremonial
function.
According to the country's
constitution, the leader of the
majority party in the National
Assembly automatically becomes
prime minister.
The country uses the dual
electoral system under which 40
more parliamentary seats are allocated
on the basis of proportional
representation system.
Under the system, the party with
the largest number of elected
candidates will get the biggest
share of the 40 extra seats.
The LCD got an extra 21
seats from proportional representation
on the back of its alliance
with the National Independent
Party, giving it more
than 75 percent of the 120 seats
in parliament.
The Lesotho general elections
were declared “credible, free
and fair” by the SADC Electoral
Observer Mission (SEOM),
which praised the Basotho people
for their high level of political
maturity.
The SADC observer mission
had teams deployed to most of the 80 constituencies
being contested during the
Lesotho polls.
Lesotho was the seventh
country to use the SADC
Principles and Guidelines
Governing Elections,
adopted in 2004, to run its
elections.
Under the guidelines,
SADC member states have
agreed to guarantee the full
participation of all their citizens
in their country's political
processes.
This includes, among others,
the need for political tolerance;
regular intervals for
elections as provided for by
the respective national Constitutions;
equal opportunity
for all political parties to access
the state media; and
equal opportunity to exercise
the right to vote and be
voted for.
Other member states where
the guidelines have already
been used are the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Madagascar,
Mauritius, the United Republic
of Tanzania, Zambia
and Zimbabwe.
These were Lesotho's sixth
polls since independence from
Britain in 1966. Previous postindependence
elections were
held in 1970, 1985, 1993, 1998 and 2002.


Abstract:
THE SADC region looks forward
to another hectic elections
calendar in 2007, with
polls scheduled to take place
in at least three Member
States.

body:
THE SADC region looks forward
to another hectic elections
calendar in 2007, with
polls scheduled to take place
in at least three Member
States.
Lesotho voted for members
of the National Assembly on 17
February, with some 19 political
parties vying for the 80 constituencies
contested for on a
first-past-the-post electoral system.
The two front-runners were
the ruling Lesotho Congress
for Democracy of Prime Minister
Pakalitha Mosisili and
the newly formed All Basotho
Convention of former communications
minister, Tom Thabane.
Mauritius also goes to the
polls during this year to elect a
president.
The country uses a unique
electoral system in which the
president is elected by members
of the National Assembly.
The current President of the
Republic, Anerood Jugnauth,
was elected by the National Assembly
in 2003 for a five-year
term.
Other SADC elections are
expected in Madagascar, which
will choose parliamentary and
local government representatives
this year.
Parliamentary and presidential
elections in Angola
have been postponed to 2008
and 2009, respectively, to allow more time for the voter registration
process that started in
2006.
President José Eduardo dos
Santos said preparations for the
2008 legislative elections will
be top priority for this year.
The last polls were in 1992
when dos Santos defeated late
former rebel leader, Jonas Savimbi.
Voter registration started on
15 November 2006 and will
close on 15 June, according to
the National Electoral Commission.
About 7.5 million Angolans
are eligible to vote out of an estimated
population of 13.5 million
people. Voter registration is mandatory.


Abstract:
WITH AN energy shortage expected
to worsen from 2007,
southern Africa is leaving no
stone unturned to minimise the
socio-economic impact of the
electricity shortfall and fluctuations
in fuel prices.

body:
WITH AN energy shortage expected
to worsen from 2007,
southern Africa is leaving no
stone unturned to minimise the
socio-economic impact of the
electricity shortfall and fluctuations
in fuel prices.
Various initiatives have been
embarked upon as Member
States move towards boosting
energy self-sufficiency for a region that has grown at an average
five percent per annum in
the past five years.


Although a lot of the effort is
still being put into developing
hydropower and other conventional
methods of generating
electricity, regional attention has
shifted in the past few years towards
harnessing alternative
energy sources.
The initiatives have included
promotion of the use of
solar, wind and nuclear energy
as well as bio-diesel and, more
recently, “waste-to-energy”
technology.
The alternative energy
sources are substantially cheaper
than hydroelectric power
generation and ensure sustainable
use of natural resources.
The SADC region requires at
least US$5.2 billion between
now and 2011 to rehabilitate existing
power stations and invest
in short-term electricity generation
projects, according to the
Southern African Power Pool.
The programme aims to
provide solar water heating
systems and panels for use by
more than 27,000 rural households
not yet connected to the
national power grid.
Mozambique's Energy
Fund (FUNAE) plans to install
2,500 solar powered systems
by the end of June in Inhambane
and Sofala provinces, as
part of the project for electrification
of rural areas.
Under the same project,
being funded by the World
Bank for US$2 million, about Although expansion of renewable
energy technologies
will require intensive initial investment,
running them is fairly
inexpensive and they provide
quicker solution to rural household
energy needs.
Increased use of renewable energy
technologies will provide
savings in national grid supplies
and fuel imports, creating virtual
power stations with the electricity
being availed to productive sectors
of the economy.
In this issue, SADC Today profiles
some of the initiatives, looking
at the benefits and possible
challenges faced by countries.
300 schools and the same number
of health posts in several
provinces will be equipped with
solar panels in the first six
months of this year.
The technology reduces
health and environmental hazards
related to traditional open
fire cooking.
Widely regarded as a potential
solution to the fuel wood
crisis in rural areas, the stoves
are relatively inexpensive,
durable and use much less
water during the cooking
process.


Abstract:
IT IS estimated that most countries
in southern Africa receive
more than 2,500 hours of sunshine
per year.

body:
IT IS estimated that most countries
in southern Africa receive
more than 2,500 hours of sunshine
per year.
The SADC region, and in fact
the whole of Africa, has sunshine
all year round.
Solar energy is used to power
equipment such as stoves, water
heaters, lighting, water pumps,
communication and transportation.
Like all other renewable energy
sources, solar energy is safe
and environmentally friendly.
The use of solar energy is the
most readily accessible resource
in the region and lends itself to a
number of potential uses.
Knowledge on solar energy
technology is widespread in the
SADC region, although its use is
still limited. Solar heating systems
vary from very simple and
therefore cheap water and air
heaters to sophisticated, high
performance, long life and expensive
solar boilers.
In Zimbabwe, the applications
are mainly for domestic use
– water heating, crop drying,
solar cooking and refrigeration.
Through the Energy Technology
Institute, Zimbabwe's Scientific
and Industrial Research and
Development Centre (SIRDC)
has designed, fabricated and installed
a 1 kilowatt solar central
charging station in Mhondoro,
which is powering a
clinic and has the capacity
to light up 50 houses.
SIRDC recently finished
developing a
solar street lighting system, which is now ready for
commercialisation. The product
represents the first solar streetlight
to be designed and built in
Zimbabwe with a built-in innovative
switching control and
charging mechanism.
The light is an environmentally
friendly product since it uses
solar power in its operations and
does not require electricity cables.
It is a stand–alone system
and can be erected in remote
areas, which are far away from
the electricity grid. The light automatically
switches on at sunset
and switches off at sunrise.
The light could be used in
both rural and urban areas and in
particular in tourist attraction
spots. This is an economically viable
product, which could provide
an effective solution to ease
the energy shortage situation and
to cut on energy importation.
The Energy Technology Institute
also houses the UNESCO Regional
Solar Training Facility. The
facility offers training to participants
from SADC Member States
on solar home lighting systems,
solar water pumping and
mini/micro hydro schemes.
The Ministry of Energy and
Power Development in Zimbabwe
is also spearheading a project
to promote use of solar energy
and biogas in farming areas
where resettled people need electricity.
In Namibia, the government
has launched the five-year
Namibia Renewable Energies
Programme.


Abstract:
IT IS estimated that about 74
percent of the total energy requirements
of the eight Zambezi
River Basin countries come from
biomass - fuelwood, charcoal
and plant residues.

body:
IT IS estimated that about 74
percent of the total energy requirements
of the eight Zambezi
River Basin countries come from
biomass - fuelwood, charcoal
and plant residues.
These countries are Angola,
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique,
Namibia, United Republic of Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Biomass is used for domestic
purposes (cooking and lighting)
and in agriculture for curing tobacco,
especially in Malawi,
Mozambique, Tanzania and
Zimbabwe.
It is also used for brick manufacturing,
lime production, fish
smoking, and coffee and tea
drying.
One of the challenges of
over-reliance on biomass energy
is its effects on the environment.
Deforestation, one of the factors
that lead to soil erosion and
ultimately land degradation, is
the main problem associated
with biomass energy utilisation.
Improved stoves such as the
tsotso and specially designed clay
stoves are also being vigorously
promoted for use in rural households
throughout the region.
Tsotso stoves use much less
wood and feature an insulated
combustion chamber which
helps to reduce smoke while increasing
burning efficiency.


Waste to energy

This is new technology which
enables countries to generate
electricity from waste products.
One such initiative is being
pursued in Mauritius where a
joint venture between a local
company and an American firm
has announced plans to invest
US$200 million in a project to set
up a “Waste to Energy” plant in
the west of the country.
The project aims to dispose
of 300,000 tonnes of refuse collected
by municipal councils
through incineration to produce
20 megawatts (MW) of electricity
which will be sold to the local
power utility, the Central Electricity
Board.
Construction of the plant is
scheduled to start in mid-2007
and will be operational by the
beginning of 2009.

Wind energy



Wind energy could provide part
of the answer to SADC's electricity
problems if a pilot project
being implemented by South
Africa is successful.
Cape Town approved a proposed
power purchase agreement
with Darling Wind Farm, a
R70m (approx. US$11m) national
pilot project funded jointly by
the Danish International Development
Agency, the Department
of Minerals and Energy,
and the Darling Independent
Power Producing Company.
The project will open up opportunities
for further wind energy
projects and other “green
energy projects” in the Western
Cape and the rest of southern
Africa.
Under the project, Cape
Town residents will purchase
energy from the Darling Wind
Farm. This will be marketed to
"willing buyers" at an initial premium
of R0.25 per kwh.
It is expected that the demand
for green energy will outstrip
the 13,200 gigawatt hours
of energy that can be supplied
annually by the farm. Darling
Wind Farm is expected to commence
generation in 2007 and
the energy will be sold through
the city's electricity service
provider.

Bio-fuel



Rising world petroleum prices
have prompted plant-based biofuel
initiatives in Lesotho,
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,
South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania,
Zambia and Zimbabwe.
These countries are growing
the oil-rich Jatropha curcas plant
for the production of cheaper
and cleaner bio-diesel.
Soya beans and maize have
also been identified as viable alternatives
for providing fuel to
the region's transport systems
and industrial development. perts say 25 kg of soya beans
yields nearly six litres of biodiesel.
Zimbabwe's National Biodiesel
Feedstock production
programme aims to substitute at
least 10 percent of daily consumption
of imported fuel
through bio-diesel within the
next five years.
South Africa expects to be
selling petroleum fuels blended
with 10 percent ethanol at its
petrol stations by early 2007.
The move is expected to reduce
fuel imports, stabilise fuel
prices and boost agriculture and
the region's rural economies.
An ethanol plant under development
in the Free State
province will consume 375,000
tonnes of maize per year, and
produce 158 million litres of bioethanol.
The plant will also have
the potential to produce 108,000
tonnes of animal feed.
Zambia will also soon have
its first bio-fuel plant where Jatropha
seeds will be used to produce
oil.
The bio-fuel plant will be set
up by Marli Investment at an
initial investment of US$8 million
and will be located in
Kabwe, 140 km north of capital,
Lusaka.
It is expected to produce 60
million litres of fuel per year,
and production will start in August
after conducting some trials
in April.


Abstract:
AFRICA WILL continue to occupy
an influential position in
the executive offices of the United
Nations following the appointment
of a Tanzanian to the
number two position at UN
headquarters in New York.

body:
AFRICA WILL continue to occupy
an influential position in
the executive offices of the United
Nations following the appointment
of a Tanzanian to the
number two position at UN
headquarters in New York.


Dr Asha-Rose Migiro of the
United Republic of Tanzania becomes
the highest ranking
woman at the UN and the second
highest among all officials.
The appointment of Migiro is
a bold and rapid decision of the
new UN Secretary-General, Ban
Ki-moon of South Korea, fulfilling
his promise to appoint a
woman to a top position.
The Secretary-General, who
worked with Migiro in 2006
when they both served as foreign
ministers of their respective
countries, described her as “a
highly respected leader who has
championed the cause of developing
countries over the years.
“Through her distinguished
service in diverse areas, she has
displayed outstanding management
skills with wide experience
and expertise in socio-economic
affairs and development
issues,” Ban said in his announcement.
“I have deep confidence in
and respect for her, and intend
to delegate much of the management
and administrative work
of the Secretariat, as well as
socio-economic affairs and development
issues, under a clear
line of authority to ensure that
the Secretariat will function in a
more effective and efficient
manner.”
Migiro, 50, was selected from
a short list of candidates that included
men and women. She replaces
Mark Malloch Brown of
the United Kingdom.
Before this appointment,
she was Tanzania's
Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International
Cooperation.
The Tanzanian President,
Jakaya Kikwete, said in a statement
that he had received the
news with pride. “The foreign
ministry is a very important portfolio
to me, but this choice is also
an honour to my country and
am very proud of Dr. Migiro.”
The honour extends to the
East African Community and
the Southern African Development
Community (SADC),
where Migiro has been representing
her country in chairing
the ministerial Troika of the
Organ on Politics, Defence and
Security Cooperation.
Migiro holds a law degree,
LL.B (Hons), and a Masters
(LL.M) from the University of
Dar es Salaam, as well as a doctorate
in legal studies from Konstanz
University in Germany.
She is an appointed member
of the Tanzanian parliament, the
Bunge, and a former Minister for
Community Development,
Women and Children, where
she served from 2000 to 2005.
She was previously a Senior
Lecturer at the University of Dar
es Salaam, since 1981.
Migiro has become the most
senior of a growing number of
Tanzanian women occupying
top positions in global governance
and development.
The list includes Gertrude
Mongella, who was Secretary-
General of the UN Fourth World Women Conference in Beijing in
1995, which agreed on a Programme
For Action that continues
to provide the framework
for women's empowerment and
participation.
Mongella, a former government
minister, rose to the level
of Assistant Secretary-General,
and is now Speaker of the Pan-
African Parliament. She is an
elected constituency member of
the Bunge.
Another Tanzanian, Dr Anna
Kajumulo Tibaijuka, was the
first African woman elected by
the UN General Assembly as
Under-Secretary-General of a
UN programme, and is currently
serving a second, four-year
term as the Executive Director
of UN Habitat.
She is also Director-General
of the UN Office at Nairobi
(UNON), which includes the
UN Environment Programme
(UNEP), the only UN headquarters
in Africa and the developing
world. Tibaijuka pursued an
active academic career as a Professor
of Economics at the University
of Dar es Salaam before
joining the UN.
Another Tanzanian woman,
Rosebud Kurwijila, has completed
three years as a member
of the first African Union Commission,
with responsibility for
Rural Economy and Agriculture.
She holds post-graduate degrees
in Agricultural Economics
and in Development Economics,
and previously served the Tanzanian
Ministry of Agriculture
for 12 years in senior management
positions, including training.
She also lectured in agricultural
development at the
Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Tanzania recently celebrated
45 years of independence, having
been one of the first African
countries to gain independence
in 1961, as Tanganyika. Joining
with Zanzibar in 1964, the country
became the United Republic
of Tanzania.
The founding father and inspiration
of the nation, Mwalimu
Julius K. Nyerere, actively supported
equality in education and
other spheres, and the involvement
of women in politics. Thus
Tanzania has a long modern history
of aspiring to gender parity,
although some challenges and inequalities
still remain.
The Tanzanian parliament
has guaranteed seats for women
and a constitutional provision
for at least 30 percent representation.
A senior Tanzanian diplomat
widely respected internationally,
Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, who
served three terms as AU Secretary-
General and is currently
the AU Special Envoy on
Sudan's Darfur conflict, welcomed
the appointment of Dr
Migiro, citing her “skills and
commitment”.
Salim, who is Chairperson of
the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation,
was himself an aspirant for
the post of UN Secretary-General
at a very young age when he
served as his country's representative
at the UN in New York
more than 35 years ago.
Of Migiro, he says, “I know
she can do the job and I wish her well.”


title:
AU awards to promote science and technology

Abstract:
THE AFRICAN Union (AU)
announced a series of science
and technology awards in January
to increase the number of
scientists in the continent.

body:
THE AFRICAN Union (AU)
announced a series of science
and technology awards in January
to increase the number of
scientists in the continent.
In line with the one of the
co-themes of the 8th AU Summit
held in Ethiopia, the
African leaders introduced
three awards aimed at promoting
science and technology on
the continent.
The main theme for the
summit was “Science, Technology
and Scientific Research”.
The other theme was “Climate
Change in Africa”.
The award schemes aim to
address the small size of
Africa's scientific manpower by
stimulating interest in science
among young people.
It is estimated that sub-Saharan
Africa trains only 83 engineers
per million of the population
each year compared to 1,000 in
industrialised countries.
Key among the scholarships
announced at the summit is the
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere
African Union Scholarship
Scheme under which 50 students
will be given the opportunity
to study for bachelor degrees
in African universities.
The scheme will then be expanded
to include postgraduate
studies.
AU education commissioner,
Beatrice Khamati-Njenga,
said the scheme encourages
students to study in an African
country with a binding agreement
that the student will work
in Africa for 2-5 years after
graduating.
"This is a clear sign that the
AU is committed to expanding
scientific knowledge in the continent.
It tackles many pertinent
issues like lack of expertise and
also the brain drain,” she said.
The awards will be funded
by the AU commission, which
gets its funds from country
members and donors.
The AU, in collaboration
with the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO),
also introduced a biennial
award to reward innovation.
The AU-WIPO Innovation
and Invention Award will
award a medal and US$13,000
for the best innovation that addresses
problems affecting
Africa.
The prize will be broken
down into categories, including
best African inventor, female
inventor, young inventor and best invention based on indigenous
knowledge.
A best practices award for
information technology has
also been introduced and
will be open to individuals and
organisations involved in
creativity, including African
web designers and developers.
Ahmed Hamdy, the AU
head of science and technology,
explained that Africa has long
lagged behind other countries
in terms of capacity, and the AU is keen to change this.


title:
Student develops low-cost housing design

Abstract:
A ZIMBABWEAN student
scooped the prize for the best
design of a low-cost passive
solar house at the annual South
African Institute of Physics
conference held at the end of
November 2006.

body:
A ZIMBABWEAN student
scooped the prize for the best
design of a low-cost passive
solar house at the annual South
African Institute of Physics
conference held at the end of
November 2006.
Golden Makaka, a doctorate
student at Fort Hare University,
produced the best poster presentation,
entitled “The design
and performance of the lowcost
passive solar house in the
Eastern Cape, South Africa”.
A passive solar design
house uses sunshine to heat
and light homes without mechanical
or electrical devices.
To reduce loss of heat from
the building, the majority of
windows in a passive solar
building are located on the
north wall.
In winter when the sun is
usually low in the sky, northfacing
windows allow the solar
radiation to penetrate indoors,
heating the thermal mass that
later on radiates thermal radiation
and heats heating the indoor
environment at night.
In summer, north-facing
windows can be shaded off by
roof awnings to keep out the
high hot summer sun.
Applying low solar absorption
paint to the outer roof surface
and using aluminium foil
on the inside lowers emission,
helping to create better thermal
performance.
“All these techniques could
create better thermal performance.
A good house design has
to safeguard health and safety
by providing sufficient airspace,
ventilation, insulation and,
most importantly, to involve the
end users in the design process,”
Makaka said.
The design attracted a lot
of interest from academics and
local authorities that attended
the annual scientific showcase.
The Somerset East Municipality
has already indicated
that it would adopt the design
to build low-cost housing.
Introduction of the concept
of low-cost energy efficient
passive solar housing can offer
immediate and long-term solutions
to the problem of housing
and energy in southern Africa.


title:
Villagers invent tree-bark irrigation system

Abstract:
FACED BY high irrigation
costs, communal farmers
in Zimbabwe's Masvingo
province have invented an irrigation
system using a special
type of tree bark as piping for
water.

body:
FACED BY high irrigation
costs, communal farmers
in Zimbabwe's Masvingo
province have invented an irrigation
system using a special
type of tree bark as piping for
water.
The “tree bark irrigation
system” has seen 42 families
successfully water a swath of
land which they have put
under vegetables, beans and
maize.
The bark is carefully removed
from a tree and skilfully placed to channel water from
Mudzami River into the fields.
The fields and gardens are
about 600 metres away from
the river.
The system is the brainchild
of students and parents at
Mudzami High School who
have been using it for the past
two years.
There are plans to expand
the project to other villages although
this could be affected
by the depletion of suitable trees. (The Herald)


title:
Angola targets 10m carat diamond
output by 2008

Abstract:
INTERNATIONAL OIL conglomerates
are scrambling for a
share of Madagascar's oil sector
as the Indian Ocean island is fast
emerging as the next centre of
Africa's energy boom.

body:
INTERNATIONAL OIL conglomerates
are scrambling for a
share of Madagascar's oil sector
as the Indian Ocean island is fast
emerging as the next centre of
Africa's energy boom.
Initial projections are that
Madagascar could produce 60,000
barrels per day in three to four
years, with revenue of several billion
dollars, which would quickly
make the oil industry the main
contributor to the country's Gross
Domestic Product (GDP). The
GDP was US$5.5 billion in 2003.
The government has started
auctioning oil-drilling rights
and, according to Hugues Rajaoson
of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the potential for production
is high.
“The sector could contribute
up to 15 percent of GDP within
five years,” Rajaoson said.
Among the global oil giants
scrambling for a share of Madagascar's
resources are those from the
United States, the United Kingdom,
France, the Netherlands,
Norway, China and South Korea.
Official estimates put offshore
reserves as high as five billion
barrels, but the exact size remains
unknown.
If development of the oil industry
proceeds as planned, Madagascar
will join Angola as a beacon of
SADC in the oil industry. Namibia has also been assessing the feasibility
of establishing a viable oil sector.
Angola is sub-Saharan
Africa's second largest oil producer
after Nigeria.
Madagascar's economy emerged
from a recession in 2002,
and reached a growth rate of 9.8
percent in 2003.
The country's other major export
is vanilla, for which it is the
largest producer in the world. It
is also the second largest producer
of rice in Africa.


title:
Tourism sector tops Mozambique
investments

Abstract:
TOURISM EARNED Mozambique
more than US$144 million
in 2006 amid indications that the
sector is set to upstage manufacturing
as the country's largest foreign
currency earner.

body:
TOURISM EARNED Mozambique
more than US$144 million
in 2006 amid indications that the
sector is set to upstage manufacturing
as the country's largest foreign
currency earner.
The sector has become a main
focus of foreign investors in the
country.
South African tourism players
are leading the investment drive
into Mozambique, motivated by
the country's huge and largely untapped
potential, characterised by
its large tropical coastline, forests
and abundant wildlife.
According to the Minister of
Tourism, Fernando Sumbana, the
target is to position Mozambique
as a world-class tourist destination,
creating new jobs, contributing
to national economic growth
and fighting poverty.
One of the greatest challenges
ahead is the organising of the 2010
FIFA World Cup in South Africa,
which is expected to benefit neighbouring
countries as well.
Sumbana foresees several
large investments being
finalised ahead of the
largest sporting event to
be hosted by Africa.
Initiatives being planned include
the launch of a Mozambican
tourism portal, approval of a
new regulatory tourism bill,
stimulation of responsible and
sustainable tourism, and introduction
of new ways of supporting
the private sector and increasing
domestic tourism.


title:
Mauritius expects less unemployment in 2007

Abstract:
UNEMPLOYMENT IS expected
to decline in Mauritius in 2007,
building on the positive trend that
saw jobless and economic growth
picking up last year.

body:
UNEMPLOYMENT IS expected
to decline in Mauritius in 2007,
building on the positive trend that
saw jobless and economic growth
picking up last year.
Mauritius Prime Minister,
Navin Ramgoolam, is upbeat
about growth prospects for 2007
in the Indian Ocean island.
He expects the economy to
boom this year following the
positive trends in 2006 where the
unemployment rate started
dropping for the first time in 16
years. In particular the tourism
and IT sectors are expected to
create thousands of new jobs in
Mauritius in 2007.
“In 2007, Mauritius will be a
huge construction site where job
opportunities will be available in several sectors,” the prime minister
promised citizens.
Figures from the country's
Central Statistics Office show
that the unemployment rate for
2006 was expected to drop to 9.4
percent from 9.6 percent the previous
year.
The statistics agency related
the decline in unemployment to
the strong economic growth of
4.6 percent experienced in Mauritius
in 2006 compared to 2.5
percent in 2005.


title:
Zimbabwe gets railway
equipment from China

Abstract:
THE NATIONAL Railways of
Zimbabwe (NRZ) has embarked
on a project to repair its aging
railway equipment with assistance
from China.

body:
THE NATIONAL Railways of
Zimbabwe (NRZ) has embarked
on a project to repair its aging
railway equipment with assistance
from China.
The railways company recently
acquired equipment from
China to be used to repair 130-
kilometre long railway line.
The equipment - which was due
to arrive in the country by the end
of February -is the first consignment
of railway pieces provided by
China under a US$10 million deal
between the two countries.
Zimbabwe's railway network
spans about 2,759km of which
365km are under speed restriction
and needs urgent replacement of
track. (The Herald)


title:
Brazilian firm strikes
Tanzanian oil
exploration deal

Abstract:
BRAZILIAN ENERGY firm,
Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras), has
concluded an agreement with the
United Republic of Tanzania to
start deepwater exploration for oil
within two years.

body:
BRAZILIAN ENERGY firm,
Petróleo Brasileiro (Petrobras), has
concluded an agreement with the
United Republic of Tanzania to
start deepwater exploration for oil
within two years.
Joao Figuiera, international executive
manager for Petrobras,
said the duration for the agreement
between his company and the Tanzanian
government for Block 6 was
for 11 years, split into three phases.
During the first phase of four
years, Petrobras will undertake
studies and survey geological, geochemical,
and geophysical data.
“In the second and third periods
of four and three years respectively,
the company will drill wells
which, if successful, will allow the
production period to start. Its term
will be 25 years renewable for an
additional 20 years,” he said.
Petrobras has been in Tanzania
since June 2004 when it signed an
agreement with the Tanzania Petroleum
Development Corporation,
the national oil company.
In the first agreement with
Tanzania, the company provided
for exploration of block 5 in Mafia
Basin, over an area of 9,250 square
km in waters between 300 and
3,000 metres deep.
The company also has oil exploration
and production activities
in Angola, Nigeria, Equatorial
Guinea, Mozambique and
Libya. (The East African)


Abstract:
SOWETO GOSPEL Choir of
South Africa received the top honours
in the Best Traditional World
Music category of the 49th Grammy
Awards held in Los Angeles,
United States, on 11 February.

body:
SOWETO GOSPEL Choir of
South Africa received the top honours
in the Best Traditional World
Music category of the 49th Grammy
Awards held in Los Angeles,
United States, on 11 February.


The 26-member choir was rewarded
for its second album,
Blessed. The group was formed
nearly five years ago and draws
on talent from churches in and
around Soweto.
Accompanied by a four-piece
band and a percussion section,
the choir gives its own unique
interpretation to both traditional
and contemporary music, performing
in six of South Africa's
11 official languages.
It has won previous accolades
such as Australia's prestigious
Helpmann Award for the
best contemporary music concert
in 2003, and the American
Gospel Awards for best international
choir in 2003 and 2004.
The Soweto Gospel Choir has
spent most of their time travelling
around the world performing
and acting as ambassador for
former South African president,
Nelson Mandela's AIDS foundation,
“46664.” The number was
Mandela's prisoner number and
is used as a reminder of just how
imprisoned the nation has become
by this horrible disease.
“Through the years of turmoil,
and the long walk to freedom
taken by Nelson Mandela
and the people of the country,
the music and art of South
Africa played a vital role in expressing
the hope and aspirations
of the people,” said the
group's producer, Robin Hogarth
when accepting the award.
Soweto is South Africa's largest
urban black community, with an
estimated population of between
one and three million people.
During the Apartheid years,
Soweto – which stands for South
Western Townships – became
synonymous with the worst of
the country's racist policies,
with hundreds of thousands of
Africans forcibly evicted to the
townships from Johannesburg.
The area was instrumental
in the dismantling of the
Apartheid system. The 1955
Freedom Charter – a declaration
of equal rights for all South
Africans – was drawn up in
Soweto.
The charter provided the
foundation of the African National
Congress and Mandela's
struggles to eliminate apartheid.
The 1976 student riots that
engulfed Soweto ignited the resistance
movement that ultimately
brought an end to
Apartheid in 1991, establishing
the right to vote for all South
Africans in 1993.
In his tribute to the choir,
President Thabo Mbeki said
the Grammy Award was “yet
another testimony of the richness
of South Africa and
Africa's contribution to humanity”.
President Mbeki said their involvement
in community work
was one of the many ways in
which South Africans could express
the rich values of Ubuntu.


title:
Nujoma movie to premiere at
Cannes festival

Abstract:
THE FEATURE film based on
the life of Namibia's first postindependence
president, Sam
Nujoma, will premiere at the
2007 Cannes Film Festival in
May.

body:
THE FEATURE film based on
the life of Namibia's first postindependence
president, Sam
Nujoma, will premiere at the
2007 Cannes Film Festival in
May.


Written and directed by
Charles Burnett, the film is
based on the autobiography of
Nujoma, first president of
Namibia and former president
of the South West African People's
Organisation.
Nujoma's character in the
movie Nujoma: Where Others Wavered
is played by US-born Jamaican
film star, Carl Lumbly,
and also stars Danny Glover.
Production took place in
Namibia, South Africa, London
and New York. Filming started
in April 2005 and ended in early
September 2006.
Uazuva Kaumbi, executive
producer of the film, announced
in January that the feature will
be ready for international release
at this year's Cannes Film
Festival in France.
The film will be released in
Namibia towards the end of
May or in early June.
The Namibian government
invested N$90 million (about
US$13 million) in the making of
the movie through the Namibia
Film Commission.
Other funding came from
Namibian parastatals and private
companies that donated in
kind. Air Namibia flew the actors
and movie crew to and from
Namibia.


title:
British Council
sponsors cultural
expression programme

Abstract:
YOUNG ARTISTES from six
SADC countries and the United
Kingdom will participate in a
21-month-long programme to
promote the exchange of experiences
on topical issues that affect
the youth.

body:
YOUNG ARTISTES from six
SADC countries and the United
Kingdom will participate in a
21-month-long programme to
promote the exchange of experiences
on topical issues that affect
the youth.
Funded by the British Council,
the Power in the Voice project
aims at allowing young people
to express themselves on key
contemporary issues such as
crime, unemployment, HIV,
drugs and substance abuse.
The project kicks off in March
and will target 35,000 young people
from schools or theatre
groups in Botswana, Mauritius,
Mozambique, South Africa, the
UK, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Over the next two years, the
participants will be involved in a
series of events aimed at developing
their skills through shows,
competitions, collaborative
workshops, exhibitions and talks.
Through rap music, performance
poetry and story-telling, the
Power in the Voice project will
provide a platform for the young
people to express their opinions
on subjects important to them as
well as the future generation.
They will be provided with
a forum to share views on such
issues and compare their own
situation with that of others in
their own country, in other
African countries and in the
UK.


title:
Africa's Science
& Technology
Consolidated Plan
of Action

Abstract:
THIS PLAN outlines a roadmap
on how Africa intends to take advantage
of its rich natural resource
and indigenous knowledge base to
attain sustainable socio-economic
development.

body:

THIS PLAN outlines a roadmap
on how Africa intends to take advantage
of its rich natural resource
and indigenous knowledge base to
attain sustainable socio-economic
development.
Emphasis is placed on developing
a continental system of research
and technological innovation,
built around a network of
centres of excellence and making
greater use of the rich array of indigenous
knowledge available
throughout the continent.
The consolidated action plan
complements other African Union
(AU) programmes in the fields of
agriculture, environment, health,
infrastructure, industrialisation
and education.
It gives practical meaning to
the July 2003 decision of the AU
Heads of State and Government to
integrate the New Partnership for
Africa's Development (NEPAD)
programmes into AU structures
and processes.
Publication available from the
NEPAD Office of Science and
Technology, P.O. Box 395,
Lynnwood, Pretoria, South Africa.
Email science@nrf.ac.za
Website www.nepad.org


title:
Monitoring Economic Integration in SADC, 2005

Abstract:
THIS REPORT focuses on the history and
performance of the SADC regional integration
agenda. The authors look at the various regional
integration targets set by SADC as well
as the obstacles and performance by Member
States towards attaining these benchmarks.

body:
THIS REPORT focuses on the history and
performance of the SADC regional integration
agenda. The authors look at the various regional
integration targets set by SADC as well
as the obstacles and performance by Member
States towards attaining these benchmarks.
The report highlights challenges and opportunities
faced by SADC in its quest to attain
deeper regional integration, and offers
recommendations. Among the key challenges are the desire for policy space by
Member States, too much emphasis on
trade as a driver of development, adequacy
of SADC monitoring indicators, and the
link between trade, growth and poverty.
Available from the Botswana Institute for
Development Policy Analysis, Gaborone,
Botswana.

Email foprisa@bidpa.bw

Website www.foprisa.net


title:
Eduardo Chivambo
Mondlane
Icon of Mozambique
liberation

Abstract:
THE HISTORY of the early
southern African struggle against
oppression is littered with names
of many prominent people, some
of whom are still alive today.

body:
THE HISTORY of the early
southern African struggle against
oppression is littered with names
of many prominent people, some
of whom are still alive today.
The prominent names include
Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Kenneth
Kaunda, Seretse Khama,
Samora Machel, Agostinho Neto,
Sam Nujoma, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela.
However, the history of the struggle for emancipation in the SADC region
cannot be complete without mention of one of the key figures in
early African nationalism in Mozambique - Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane.
The well-educated Mozambican nationalist is famed for the sacrifice
he made for the liberation of his country. He left his job at the United
Nations in 1961 to lead in developing a movement for national liberation.
As president of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo),
he successfully promoted unity among the different Mozambican independence
movements, resulting in an agreement on 25 July 1962 in the
United Republic of Tanzania (then Tanganyika).
Tragically, he was denied the fruits of his vision and leadership. He was
assassinated on 3 February 1969 in Dar es Salaam by a parcel bomb sent by
the Portuguese secret police, the PIDE.
He is universally credited as the father of Mozambique's independence,
a torch picked up and carried to completion by Samora Moises
Machel.
The Heroes' Day holiday in Mozambique is held on 3 February each
year to remember the heroes of the liberation struggle, especially the first
president of Frelimo.
This year, President Armando Guebuza inaugurated a new monument
to the founder of Mozambican nationalism on the 38th anniversary of his
death.
Accompanied by Mondlane's widow, Janet, President Guebuza unveiled
the monument designed by Julio Carrilho.
It contains a bronze bust of Mondlane mounted on a metallic plinth,
alongside a painting of dozens of joined hands that form a map of Mozambique.
The monument is in front of the Frelimo Central Committee building in
Maputo.


title:
Remembering the founder of the
Lesotho kingdom

Abstract:
MOSHOESHOE DAY is commemorated in Lesotho on
11 March, the day on which King Moshoeshoe I - founder
of the Basotho nation - is believed to have died in 1870.

body:
MOSHOESHOE DAY is commemorated in Lesotho on
11 March, the day on which King Moshoeshoe I - founder
of the Basotho nation - is believed to have died in 1870.
Moshoeshoe was king of Lesotho from
1823 to 1870, a period during which many
wars were fought against the Boer (Dutch)
farmers who had settled in traditional Basotho
lands.
These wars resulted in the extensive loss
of land, now known as the “Lost Territory”.
To protect his people, Moshoeshoe appealed
to Queen Victoria for assistance, and
in 1868 the land that is present-day Lesotho
was placed under British protection.
The land occupied by the Boers became
a white governed territory known as the
Orange Free State.
Commemorations of the day usually include
Moshoeshoe Memorial Lectures at
the National University of Lesotho and the
laying of wreaths at the Moshoeshoe I statue
in Maseru by King Letsie III and Prime
Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, followed by
principal chiefs of all Lesotho tribes.


body:
PUBLICATIONS
Food is Different: Why We Must Get the
WTO Out of Agriculture

Rosset, Peter

London, UK. Zed Books, 2006

171pp.

The book explains what is happening to agriculture in
the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiating
context, and unravels the complex ways in which
agriculture in the North is subsidised. It sets out an
alternative vision for agricultural policy, which would
take it completely out of the WTO's ambit. Food is not
just another commodity, but something that goes to
the heart of human livelihood, culture and security.
Available from Zed Books c/o David Philip, Cape
Town, 99 Garfield Road, Claremont 7700, P.O.Box
46962, Glosderry 7702, South Africa

Email info@newafricabooks.co.za

Website www.zedbooks.co.uk

Or Editions le Printemps, 4 Club Road, Vagoas,

Mauritius

Email elp@intnet.mu

Website www.zedbooks.co.uk



Knowledge to Address Africa's Development
Challenges

Johannesburg, South Africa, Development Bank of
Southern Africa, 2006

158pp.

This publication attempts to capture the spirit of the
inaugural Knowledge Management African
Conference held in Gauteng, South Africa, in March
2005. The conference acknowledged that for an
African renaissance to take place, there is a pressing
need to build Africa's capacity to properly utilise
knowledge in the course of formulating and managing
developmental policies, strategies, and programmes.

Available from DBSA Knowledge Centre,

Development Bank of Southern Africa, P.O Box 1234,

Halfway House, 1685, South Africa.

Email Tryphinam@dbsa.org

Website www.dbsa.org






Julius Nyerere: Humanist, Politician,
Thinker

Moscow, Russia, Russian Academy of Sciences

Institute for African Studies, 2006

79pp.

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere led his country to
Independence in 1961 and became the first
president of the United Republic of Tanzania after
the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964.
Nyerere was the first chairperson of the Front Line
States, the informal grouping of leaders who
confronted apartheid in southern Africa. He was a
founding father of the Organisation of African
Unity (OAU) and hosted the OAU Liberation
Committee in Dar es Salaam until all African
countries were independent.

This collection contains the main papers
delivered at a conference dedicated to the memory
of Nyerere, held in January 2000 at the Institute for
African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The contributors, scholars and diplomats in Russia
with interests in African issues, rank Nyerere with
other influential African leaders of the 20th century
such as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Gamal
Abdul Nasser of Egypt.

Available from Mkuki Na Nyota Publishers, P.O Box
4246, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.

Email editorial.uhariri@mkukinanyota.com

Website www.mkukinanyota.com.




Lessons from the Struggle for a New
International Technology Order

By Norman Girv and Surendra Patel

Geneva, Switzerland, The South Centre, 2006

36pp

The book offers concrete lessons and suggestions
development. The lessons are learnt through
decades of struggle for independent development
paths and suggestions based on the recognition of
the diversity of situations. The authors acknowledge
that issues of development go beyond the narrow
realm of economics and that technology is there to
facilitate, and not to determine, the path to progress.

Available in electronic format from South Centre,

PO Box 228, Chemin du Champ-d'Anier 17, 1211

Geneva 19, Switzerland.

Email south@southcentre.org.

Website www.southcentre.org








Water Under Threat

Bouguerra, Larbi

London, UK. Zed Books, 2006

216pp.

The book asks the critical questions about the
important political and geo-strategic issue of water.
Does water have a price? Is it a right or a need? Is
there a water crisis? Will wars be fought over water?
Should we be worried about water pollution? Can
the available technological solutions keep it under
control? It also provides some answers.

Available from Zed Books c/o David Philip, Cape
Town, 99 Garfield Road, Claremont 7700, P.O. Box
46962, Glosderry 7702, South Africa.

Email info@newafricabooks.co.za

Website www.zedbooks.co.uk










 













body:
CURRENCY CHECKLIST
Country Currency (US $1)
Angola Kwanza (100 lwei) 79.97
Lesotho Maloti (100 lisente) 7.23
Mauritius Rupee (100 cents) 32.56
South Africa Rand (100 cents) 7.23
Zambia Kwacha (100 ngwee) 4,225.00
Botswana Pula (100 thebe) 6.27
Madagascar Ariary 9,050.00
Mozambique Metical (100 centravos) 26.00
Swaziland Lilangeni (100 cents) 7.23
Zimbabwe Dollar (100 Cents) 250.00
DRC Congo Franc 565.00
Malawi Kwacha (100 tambala) 139.31
Namibia Dollar (100 cents) 7.23
Tanzania Shilling (100 cents) 1,253.00
February 2007


body:
Public holidays in SADC

October - December 2006

1 February Thaipoosam Cavadee Mauritius
1 February Abolition of Slavery Mauritius
3 February Heroes' Day Mozambique
4 February National Armed Struggle Day Angola
16 February Maha Shivratree Mauritius
18 February Chinese Spring Festival Mauritius
3 March Martyrs' Day Malawi
5 March Public Holiday Malawi
8 March International Women's Day Madagascar, Angola
11 March Moshoeshoe Day Lesotho
12 March National Day Mauritius
9 March Youth Day Zambia
21 March Independence Day Namibia
21 March Human Rights Day South Africa
30 March Ougadi Mauritius
29 March Commemoration of the 1947 Rebellion Madagascar

30 March* Maulid Day Tanzania
4 April Peace and National Reconciliation Day Angola

6 April Good Friday All except Mauritius,
DRC, Mozambique,
Madagascar
7 April Public Holiday Botswana
7 April Holy Saturday Zambia
7 April Easter Saturday Zimbabwe
7 April Women's Day Mozambique
7 April Sheik Abed Amani Karume Day Tanzania
9 April Easter Monday All except DRC,
Mauritius, Mozambique,
South Africa
9 April Family Day South Africa
18 April Independence Day Zimbabwe
19 April King's Birthday Swaziland
25 April National Flag Day Swaziland
26 April Union Celebrations Tanzania
27 April Freedom Day South Africa
* Depends on visibility of the moon


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2007
February
12-14 Tanzania
4th Africa-Asia Business Forum

The purpose of the forum is to attract investment into Africa
and to increase trade between the two regions. It is
organised by the Tokyo International Conference on African
Development.

19-20 Ethiopia
2nd Meeting of Advisors to AIDS Watch Africa

AIDS Watch Africa was established in 2001 by the African
Union to promote advocacy for action at the level of Heads
of State and Government as well as for mobilisation of local
and international resources. The advisors meet biannually to
discuss how each will effectively coordinate the
responsibilities of his/her respective Heads of State and
Government.
March
19-23 Lesotho
SADC Council of Ministers


Ministers from each Member State sit in Council, usually
from the ministries of foreign affairs, economic development,
planning or finance. The Council meets on 15-16 March and
is preceded by the meeting of senior officials and the finance
committee. The Council is responsible for supervising and
monitoring the functions and development of SADC, and
ensuring that policies are properly implemented, as well as
making recommendations to Summit.
26-27 Zimbabwe
Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa

Jointly organized by the International Organisation of
Migration and the Southern African Migration Project, the
workshop will facilitate regional dialogue and cooperation
on migration policy issues amongst SADC Member States.
The overall objective is to facilitate regional co-operation in
migration management by fostering greater understanding of
migration and strengthening regional institutional and
personnel capacities.

29-30 South Africa
5th Intermodal Africa 2007

Organised by the National Ports Authority of South Africa,
this will be the largest annual gathering of experts from the
world's leading shippers, cargo owners, shipping lines,
freight forwarders, logistics companies, container ports,
terminal operators, railway operators, container port
equipment and services suppliers.

April
9-13 South Africa
3rd Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Health


The theme of the conference will be “Strengthening Health
Systems for Equity and Development.” The outcomes of the
meeting will be submitted to the Assembly of African Union
Heads of State and Government.

16-20 South Africa
Africa Power & Electricity Congress 2007

This is a forum to promote sustainable growth and
development in the African power sector. Organised by the
private sector, the conference will assist African countries to
strengthen energy security by developing infrastructure.
Top speakers from African governments, the private and
public sectors are expected to attend the conference.

24-28 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair


This is Zimbabwe's premier multi-sector, annual trade
exhibition, bringing together local, regional and international
companies. It incorporates the A'Sambeni Africa Tour &
Travel Expo and Pakprint 2007, separate exhibitions targeting
the tourism and printing industries.


Abstract:
SADC MEMBER States are scaling up the provision
of regional infrastructure, a critical foundation
for the speedy realization of regional integration
objectives.

body:
SADC MEMBER States are scaling up the provision
of regional infrastructure, a critical foundation
for the speedy realization of regional integration
objectives.
Infrastructure support intervention has been
placed at the core of the region's communitybuilding
agenda and concerted efforts are being
made to ensure the availability of an integrated,
efficient and cost-effective system to sustain regional
economic development and trade.
To this end, five intervention areas have been
prioritised, as contained in the Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan - SADC's 15-
year blueprint. These are energy generation,
transport, communications technology and meteorology,
water infrastructure, and tourism.
This is expected to ensure the availability of reliable
and least-cost energy supplies; and the provision
of efficient, cost-effective and safe transport,
communications and meteorology systems.
Water infrastructure is a priority, including the
promotion of integrated water resources development
and management as well as their equitable
sharing for mutual benefit; and joint promotion
of tourism is planned to achieve sustainable
socio-economic development and as an incentive
for conservation of the region's natural
resources.
Significant strides have been
made to improve the level and
quality of infrastructure in the
region in order to attract investment,
increase competitiveness
and promote trade.
However, major challenges
of a political, economic and financial
as well as institutional
nature are causing delays in the
implementation of identified
regional infrastructure projects.
In the area of energy, power
pooling has been at the core of
regional initiatives. The plan
is to achieve 100 percent connectivity
to the regional
power grid for all member
states by 2012 and to have at
least 70 percent of all rural
households with access to
electricity by 2018.
Efforts are directed at
boosting southern Africa's
electricity generation capacity,
with almost 50 short and long
term projects currently underway
or earmarked for future
development.
The new projects identified
so far have the potential to increase
SADC's total electricity
generation capacity by more
than 42,000 megawatts (MW)
between 2007 and 2027. Present
combined capacity is only
52,743 MW, of which 41,000
MW is secured capacity available
for distribution to consumers
against demand of
42,000 MW.
The ultimate goal is to
transform the Southern
African Power Pool (SAPP)
from a cooperative to a competitive
pool and to create a
regional electricity market.
The region is facilitating
the development of other energy
resources such as
biomass energy and biofuels,
to augment the
power sector capacity.
To strengthen selfsufficiency
in petroleum
and gas resources, southern
Africa is also undertaking
joint exploration and development
of these commodities.
Cooperation in this area includes
harmonisation of policies,
regulations and legislation
to facilitate cross-border
trade, improve capacity utilisation
and liaison in joint procurement
of petroleum products
in the world market.
The region's transport systems,
particularly the railways,
were initially constructed to radiate
from the coastal ports to
provide former colonial powers
with access to and control
over the inland areas. As urban
and industrial centres began to
develop, the focus switched to
inland transport.
However, from a regional
perspective, port-based routes
or corridors continue to be important
for the landlocked
countries, particularly in international
trade. Recent and
ongoing investments are expected
to increase the range of
choice of routes to the sea via
road, rail and port systems of
adequate capacity.
There has also been considerable
interest in transport
corridors, which link ports
and their connecting road and
rail systems to investment in
industry, mining, agriculture
and tourism.
These initiatives is the Maputo
Development Corridor
through Mozambique and
South Africa, and the Trans
Kalahari Corridor connecting
Namibia's port of Walvis Bay to
South Africa's industrial heartland,
thus completing a transport
route across the region
linking east and west coasts.
The concept has been introduced
to the other corridors
linking regional ports with
their hinterlands, and is being
rolled out all over the region.
Corridors offer trade routes and more
REGIONAL CORRIDOR networks
are the basis upon which
requisite infrastructure is being
developed to improve the quality
of regional transport links
through Spatial Development
Initiatives (SDI).
Initiatives on corridors also
include a programme on
Corridor
Trade Facilitation,
which is aimed at minimising
transit delays as well as
delays at border posts
along the corridors.
This has the potential of
increasing usage of existing
transport infrastructure
and reduce the cost of
doing business, thus
strengthening SADC's
competitiveness in trade
and productivity.
Priority corridor infrastructure
development projects
have already been identified
and inserted in the NEPAD
Short Term Action Plan. These
include the Lobito, Trans
Cunene, Trans Caprivi, Shire
Zambezi Waterway, Mtwara
and Nacala corridors.
A lot of work has also been
put into facilitating the development of water infrastructure,
particularly comprehensive,
integrated basin-wide
plans and improvement of the
legal and regulatory framework
at national and regional
levels to ensure harmonised
policies and legislation.
The SADC Protocol on
Shared Watercourses, which
took effect in September 2003
after ratification by two-thirds
of SADC Member States, has
been instrumental in strengthening
cooperation in joint
management of the region's 15
shared river basins and avoiding
conflict over water resources.
Robust tourism infrastructure
is also seen as key to deepening
of regional integration
and development. Among the
targets for SADC member
states is the introduction of a
universal visa by 2009.
The SADC Univisa system
will facilitate intra-regional
travel through the removal of travel and visa restrictions
and harmonisation of immigration
procedures for SADC
citizens, as well as facilitation
of cross-border movement of
international tourists in order
to increase southern Africa's
market share in world
tourism.


Harmonisation of tourism
and immigration policies,
legislation and standards are
expected to be completed by
2009.
Spurred by the Protocol on
the Facilitation of Movement
of Persons in SADC signed in
August 2005, at least seven
countries in the region have
signed bilateral agreements
to waive visa requirements
for citizens of other member
states.
Trans Frontier Conservation
Area are also key to joint
tourism promotion in southern
Africa, ahead of the FIFA
World Cup to be held in the
region in 2010.


Abstract:
WITH THE year 2008 fast approaching, the
SADC region is preparing for a new way of
doing business.

body:
WITH THE year 2008 fast approaching, the
SADC region is preparing for a new way of
doing business.
The SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) is to be
launched next year in what would be a momentous
development for the 240 million SADC citizens,
the dawn of a new era of regional cooperation
and socio-economic development.
Within the framework of the
FTA, the SADC region hopes to
remove barriers on all intra-regional
trade. The target is to ensure
that 85 percent of most intraregional
trade is at zero tariffs by
2008.
Member States remain confident
that they can move a gear
up to remove outstanding impediments
for the region to
achieve set targets.
Since 2000, SADC countries
have been implementing a programme
towards creating the FTA
in 2008, a Customs Union by 2010,
a Common Market by 2015 and a
Monetary Union by 2018.
The Summit of SADC Heads
of State and Government in
Lesotho in August 2006
raised concern about the pace at which SADC's economic
integration programme was
being implemented. Consequently,
a Ministerial Task Force
was appointed to come up with a
progress report that was tabled
before an Extraordinary Summit
of Heads of State and Government
in Midrand, South Africa,
in October 2006.
The October Summit reaffirmed
the region's commitment
to achieving the trade milestones,
noting several challenges that
need to be overcome.
“Summit noted progress
made in the attainment of an FTA
and concluded that the SADC
Free Trade Area programme is on
course and that it will be
launched as planned by 2008,”
reads the communiqué in part.
However, the Summit noted
that SADC's trade patterns consist
mainly of commodities, thus
there is need to diversify national
economies and increase intra-regional
trade and growth.
The 2007 Summit in Lusaka is
expected to review progress and
give fresh impetus for Member
States to complete all outstanding
tasks for the FTA to be
launched as planned.
As the SADC region moves towards
the planned Free Trade
Area, one of the challenges is to
bring down tariff and non-tariff
barriers in line with agreed
timetables within specific product
lines. The target is to ensure
that 85 percent of all intra-regional
trade is at zero tariffs by 2008.
Economic integration in
SADC is guided by the Trade
Protocol, which was signed in
1996 and came into force in 2000.
As part of its implementation,
Member States have been
negotiating tariff reduction
schedules, rules of origin, a dispute
settlement mechanism,
special product agreements,
elimination of non tariff barriers
and harmonisation of customs,
trade documentation and clearance
procedures.
Tariff phase down is based on
a variable geometry model, taking
into account the asymmetrical
level of development in Member
States.
SADC Member States are at different
levels of development, with
South Africa far much more developed
than the rest in terms of industrial
base.
Countries within the Southern
African Customs Union (SACU) -
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,
South Africa and Swaziland - are
liberalising faster, followed by Mauritius and Zimbabwe, while
the rest follow.
Tariff reduction is divided
into three categories, the first
being goods that were to be liberalised
by 2001, the second by
2008 and the third by 2012.
Special agreements have been
concluded on trade in sensitive
products such as sugar, and textiles
and clothing.
Negotiations on rules of origin,
which seek to promote use of
local raw materials, were the
most difficult, but have since
been completed for most product
lines. The most difficult areas
were wheat flour products and
motor vehicles.
Another challenge for Member
States to achieve a successful
Free Trade Area is to address
the supply side of trade. This
calls for a strong industrial base
in each member state to produce exportable goods that have a
competitive edge.
The variable geometry model
is meant to allow Member States
time to adjust and prepare themselves
for inevitable competition
in a liberalised market. The question
is whether industries in
Member States have had sufficient
time to prepare for the new
market.
Multiple membership to Regional
Economic Communities
(RECs) that are working towards
creating, or already have, a Customs
Union is yet another challenge.
Some SADC Member States
belong to SACU, which is a functioning
Customs Union, while
others belong to either the East
African Community (EAC) or the
Common Market for East and
Southern Africa (COMESA),
which are planning their own customs
unions.


title:
Economic integration, infrastructure development
top priorities for SADC

Abstract:
SADC HEADS of State and
Government are to hold a brainstorming
session during the
2007 Summit that focuses on
“Scaling Up of the Implementation
of Regional Infrastructure
Development in SADC”.

body:
SADC HEADS of State and
Government are to hold a brainstorming
session during the
2007 Summit that focuses on
“Scaling Up of the Implementation
of Regional Infrastructure
Development in SADC”.
The brainstorming session
comes at an opportune time,
taking place on the eve of the
SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) set
for 2008. With the FTA beckoning
amid expectations of a Customs
Union in 2010 and a Common
Market in 2015, infrastructure
development is central to
promoting intraregional trade
and strengthening the region's
manufacturing capacity.
The session on infrastructure
will build upon commitments
made by the SADC leaders during
a similar brainstorming
workshop on “Scaling Up the
Regional Integration Agenda”
held during the 2006 Summit in
Lesotho.
The outcome of the Lesotho
session was the reaffirmation of
the milestones relating to the
implementation of the SADC
Protocol as set out by the Regional
Indicative Strategic Development
Plan (RISDP). The
RISDP is SADC's 15-year regional
blueprint for development.
The Lusaka brainstorming
meeting will also build on the Extraordinary
Summit held in
Midrand, South Africa in October
2006 to, among other issues, review
the status of regional economic
integration and identify
measures necessary to accelerate
implementation of the SADC
economic integration agenda, especially
the Free Trade Area and
the Customs Union.
Noting that the economic integration
agenda was on course,
the Extraordinary Summit underscored
the need to mobilise
resources in order to address issues
of infrastructure, food security
and other supply side challenges
within the SADC region.
The Midrand summit agreed
that it is through the development
of supportive infrastructure
that the regional trade potential
can be harnessed to the
benefit of the people of the region.
Thus the leaders reiterated
that the establishment of a Development
Fund should be fast
tracked.
Given the interconnectedness
between economic integration
and infrastructure development,
the two areas have been
accorded top priority in the
SADC Programme of Action
and this is reflected in the outcomes
of the Maseru and
Midrand summits.
“There can be no doubt therefore
that our priorities are Regional
Economic Integration and
Infrastructure Support for Regional
Integration. We have taken
the liberty of sharing these priorities
with our development partners
within the context of the
Windhoek Declaration of April
2006,” says Tomaz Salomão, the
SADC Executive Secretary.
Thus the prioritisation of
economic integration and infrastructure
development has the
full support not just of the leaders,
but other stakeholders including
cooperating partners as
underlined by the Windhoek
Declaration on a New SADCICP
Partnership agreed upon at
the 2006 SADC Consultative
Conference in Namibia.
In this regard, the implementation
of two key protocols is central
to the SADC Programme of
Action. These are the Protocol on
Trade and the Protocol on Facilitation
of Free Movement of Persons.
Free movement of persons
constitutes the key pillar of trade,
and the availability of efficient
and cost-effective cross-border
transport infrastructure is pivotal
to its realisation.
Equally important is access
to raw materials and access to
markets for completed products
at cheap and affordable cost
needed for business to be competitive
and for the region to
eradicate poverty on the basis of
export led growth.
In the same vein, sustained
economic growth requires robust
communications infrastructure,
least-cost energy supply,
and cost-efficient water supply
and sanitation.
The development of infrastructure
in the SADC region
will go a long way in addressing
supply side constraints and
maximisation of productive
competitiveness.
In addition, infrastructure development
that strengthens regional
integration will also enable
the strong role to be played
by the SADC region as a building
block for the African Union
and African Economic Community.
It is against this background
that the brainstorming on infrastructure
by the SADC Heads of
State and Government is being
held.


title:
SADC develops regional food reserve facility

Abstract:
THE SADC Secretariat is developing
a Regional Food Reserve
Facility, which will ensure physical
stocks and financial reserves
for use in times of food crisis.

body:
THE SADC Secretariat is developing
a Regional Food Reserve
Facility, which will ensure physical
stocks and financial reserves
for use in times of food crisis.
The facility is aimed at
strengthening the SADC region's
capacity to deal with food
deficits arising from disasters
such as drought, floods and cyclones.
Member States will use the facility
to timely access food and finances
to minimise the impact of
disasters on food security.
The ad-hoc committee of ministers
responsible for food, agriculture
and natural resources
agreed at a meeting in Zambia in
June agreed that Member States
will need to carry out further national
consultations on the facility.
The ministers reviewed the
overall food security situation in
the region and noted that only
five out of the 14 SADC Member States had received above average
rainfall during the 2006/07
season.
These are Angola, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Malawi, the
United Republic of Tanzania and
Zambia.
Lower harvests are expected in
Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe
and possibly South Africa, mainly
due to drought and, in some
cases, floods and cyclones.


title:
Tourism ministers discuss 2010 World Cup strategy

Abstract:
MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE for tourism in southern Africa
met at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
in July to discuss their strategy
for the opportunities offered
by the hosting of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup in the region.

body:
MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE for tourism in southern Africa
met at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
in July to discuss their strategy
for the opportunities offered
by the hosting of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup in the region.
Member States were requested
to submit their proposals on
how they can participate and
benefit from the 2010 World
Cup.
The regional proposals will
include a submission by Angola
to host the 2010 African Nations
Soccer Cup.
The meeting focused on establishing
a common visa called
the SADC Univisa which will enable
tourists to travel within the
region using a single visa.
South Africa, Zimbabwe,
Zambia and Mozambique signed
agreements in May to share the
tourism spin-offs of the 2010
FIFAWorld Cup through “border
free” tourism packages.
South Africa's Limpopo
Tourism Parks Board, Zambia National Tourists Board, Zimbabwe
Tourism Authority and
Mozambique's Tourism Board
signed the agreement at the
Tourism Indaba in Durban,
South Africa.
Together the parties are
called the Limpopo-Zambezi
Destination.
The cooperation is
premised on the view that the
2010 FIFAWorld Cup is an opportunity
to position the region
as a tourist destination of
choice for World Cup visitors.
The Limpopo-Zambezi Destination
will undertake tourism
research, collect data and statistics to help parties gain better
understanding of the profile of
the present travellers and the
needs of future market sectors.
Some of the tasks to be undertaken
include the branding
for Limpopo-Zambezi Destination,
and joint marketing strategies
in support of the package
tours.
The ministers could not
reach a conclusion on the Univisa
as Member
States considered
it important
to hold a multisectoral
meeting
at the highest level involving ministries of
tourism, foreign and home affairs
for a common decision
about the issue, since it is a
transversal matter.


title:
Free movement of persons between Lesotho
and South Africa

Abstract:
LESOTHO AND South
Africa have agreed to allow
the free movement of their
citizens across each other's
borders.

body:
LESOTHO AND South
Africa have agreed to allow
the free movement of their
citizens across each other's
borders.
The agreement on the Facilitation
of Cross Border Movement
of Citizens was signed in
June by Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohlabi Kenneth
Tsekoa, and South
Africa's Minister of Home Affairs,
Nosiviwe Mapisa-
Nqakula.
Underlining the importance
of the cross-border
agreement, South African
President, Thabo Mbeki, welcomed
Lesotho Prime Minister,
Pakalitha Mosisili, to his
“other home”, saying that
many South Africans regarded
Lesotho as such.
“Both our peoples share the
same history; we are descendants
of the same ancestry, we
sing the same songs and our
praise-songs salute the same
forebears,” said President
Mbeki.
There is great movement of
persons between Lesotho and
South Africa on a daily basis,
often resulting in long queues
at border-crossings between
the two countries.
Prime Minister Mosisili,
who is the current chair of
SADC, said the issue of visas
for all SADC citizens must be
looked at within the context of
the region being a “community”
of nations, meaning that
travel restrictions between
these 14 countries should be
loosened further.
The agreement between
Lesotho and South Africa is in
line with the 2005 approval by
regional leaders of the Protocol
on the Facilitation of
Movement of Persons in
SADC, which is aimed at the
progressive elimination of obstacles
to the movement of
people in the SADC region.


title:
Angola, Namibia in joint water project development

Abstract:
WORK ON the upgrading of
water sources on the Kunene
Trans-boundary Water Project
involving Angola and Namibia
is expected to start in September.

body:
WORK ON the upgrading of
water sources on the Kunene
Trans-boundary Water Project
involving Angola and Namibia
is expected to start in September.
The project will involve the
upgrading of water pumps at a
huge reservoir under the Cuvelai
Water Scheme at Oshakati
that provides water to northcentral
Namibia and to parts of
southern Angola.
The countries' water utilities
met in July to scrutinize accords
that will enhance water
supply to the border towns and
villages in the two southern
African countries.
The project is funded by in
part by the governments of Angola
and Namibia with the bulk
of the budget coming from the
KfW, a German development
agency.


title:
Reconstruction of Malawi-Zambia railway line starts

Abstract:
RECONSTRUCTION WORK
has started on a railway line between
Malawi and Zambia
which is expected to provide a
route to the Indian Ocean
through Mozambique.

body:
RECONSTRUCTION WORK
has started on a railway line between
Malawi and Zambia
which is expected to provide a
route to the Indian Ocean
through Mozambique.
Work on the reconstruction
of the 30-km railway line between
Mchinji in Malawi and
Chipata in Zambia is expected
to end in September.
“By September, the work will
be concluded. From then on, we
can say that the Nacala Corridor
will be one of the doorways for
our foreign trade,” said Zambia's
High Commissioner to
Mozambique, Edwin Hatembo.
The Nacala Corridor aims to
develop an economic corridor
linking landlocked Malawi and
Zambia to the port of Nacala in
Mozambique.
The rationale behind the collaborative
approach between
the two countries is that of generating
economies of scale in developing
related infrastructure,
marketing, production and utilising
the natural resources.
About 70 percent of Malawi's
population lives in the corridor.
There is need to expand and rehabilitate
the transport infrastructure
to unlock the investment
potential in the corridor.


Abstract:
SADC IS setting up a Regional
Petroleum and Gas Association
to promote trade in fuels and
harmonise standards and regulations
in the sector.

body:
SADC IS setting up a Regional
Petroleum and Gas Association
to promote trade in fuels and
harmonise standards and regulations
in the sector.
According to Bashir
Mrindoko, commissioner for
energy and petroleum affairs in
the Tanzanian Ministry of Energy
and Minerals, the association
will “create a common investment
destination with harmonised
environmental standards
and policies”.
The association has been on
the cards since 2002 and aims
to make optimal use of regional
capacities and reap the benefits
of joint product procurement.
Other objectives of the project
are to coordinate hydrocarbon
exploration activities in the
SADC region.
The SADC Secretariat has already
floated a tender for consultancy
firms to review the existing
data and information
alongside its Directorate of Infrastructure
and Services.
The consultant will work
with the departments of energy
of the Member States and other
institutions relevant to the sector.
Among the duties for the
consultant is the identification
of petroleum and gas issues
that need harmonisation and
draft appropriate specifications,
rules, and standards.
The consultant will also identify
functions, tasks and structure
of the regional petroleum
and gas association, and offer advice on the feasibility of having
a composite regional energy
regulator encompassing electricity,
petroleum and gas.


title:
Bank avails US$93m for Malawi-Mozambique power project

Abstract:
THE WORLD Bank has approved
International Development
Association (IDA) credit
lines totalling US$93 million
for Malawi and Mozambique
that will increase the availability
and reliability of low cost,
environmentally friendly electricity in the southern Africa region.

body:
THE WORLD Bank has approved
International Development
Association (IDA) credit
lines totalling US$93 million
for Malawi and Mozambique
that will increase the availability
and reliability of low cost,
environmentally friendly electricity in the southern Africa region.
The bank availed US$48 million
to Malawi and US$45 million
to Mozambique to finance
an electricity interconnector
project involving the two countries.
As the second phase of the
Southern African Power Market
Programme, the Mozambique-
Malawi Transmission Interconnection
Project will connect
Malawi to the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP), allowing
two-way energy trade between
the two countries.
This will ensure much-needed
diversification in Malawi's
electricity supply and allow the
export of any off-peak power
surpluses. It will also provide
Mozambique's energy sector
with a new revenue source.
The project will provide
technical assistance, capacity
building, training, and equipment
necessary for the Electricity
Supply Corporation of
Malawi (ESCOM) and Electricidade
de Moçambique (EDM) to
strengthen and expand the networks
to maximise the benefits
of power trading.
It will also help replace
worn-out, inadequate, or obsolete
equipment in order to remove
critical bottlenecks in the
networks that could impede the
flow of traded electricity.


title:
Mozambique to have computer assembly plant

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS awarded
a licence for South African
company, Sahara Plans, to start
building a multi-million dollar
plant for assembling computers.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS awarded
a licence for South African
company, Sahara Plans, to start
building a multi-million dollar
plant for assembling computers.
On completion the plant
will have a capacity to produce
3,000 units per day, some of
which will be exported.
Mozambique's Minister of
Science and Technology, Venaçio
Massingue, said this will
be the biggest such investment
in the African continent, and
they have plans to export some
of the computers made in
Mozambique to neighbouring
SADC countries.
The assembly unit will be
the first step in setting up a distribution
centre for computer
products in the region and will
be a joint venture with the
Mozambican Institute of Information
Technologies and Communication,
a quasi-government
body involved in publishing,
business incubation
and a science park.


title:
SADC returns to its roots for 2007 Summit

Abstract:
IT IS back to the roots as SADC returns
to the place where the regional
organisation was officially formed
more than 27 years ago.

body:
IT IS back to the roots as SADC returns
to the place where the regional
organisation was officially formed
more than 27 years ago.
The 2007 Summit of SADC Heads
of State and Government takes place
at the Mulungushi International Conference
Centre in Lusaka, Zambia - the
same venue where the leaders of Angola,
Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi,
Mozambique, Swaziland, United Republic
of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
met to form the Southern
African Development Coordination
Conference (SADCC) on 1 April 1980.
The objective of the leaders of the
nine independent countries was to integrate
their economies. This marked
a new commitment to coordinate their
economies in order to accelerate development
and reduce dependence on
the then apartheid South Africa.
Other SADCC objectives were to
implement programmes and projects
with national and regional impact; to
mobilise Member States' resources in the quest for collective
self-reliance; and to secure international understanding
and support.
Twenty seven years on, the regional integration agenda
remains and is even stronger albeit with a renewed
focus.
Transformation from SADCC to SADC, the Development
Community, took place at a Summit in Windhoek,
Namibia, in 1992 when the SADC Treaty was signed,
seeking deeper regional integration.
As the SADC Heads of State and Government meet in
Lusaka this year, the limelight will fall on efforts to increase
intra-regional trade through the planned Free
Trade Area (FTA) as well as cooperation in infrastructure
development.
SADC plans to launch an FTA in 2008, under which
Member States hope to open up trade among Member
States.
The Summit also recognises the important role played
by infrastructure in facilitating greater intra-regional
trade and deepening regional integration.


title:
Mozambicans commemorate victory over colonialism

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE WILL on 7 September commemorate the 33rd anniversary
of victory in the war against Portuguese colonialism.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE WILL on 7 September commemorate the 33rd anniversary
of victory in the war against Portuguese colonialism.

It was in Lusaka on 7 September 1974 that the Mozambique Liberation
Front (Frelimo) and the Portuguese government signed the agreement
ending the war, and paving the way for full independence nine months
later.
The date is celebrated as "Victory Day" and is a public holiday.
Events during the day normally include the laying of wreaths at the
Monument to the Mozambican Heroes where the first leader of Frelimo,
Eduardo Mondlane, and the country's first president, Samora Machel, are
buried.


body:
Public holidays in SADC for the period 
 August - October 2007
1 August Parents' Day DRC
6 August Farmers' Day Zambia
8 August Peasants' Day Tanzania
9 August National Women's Day South Africa
13 August Heroes' Day Zimbabwe
14 August Defence Forces Day Zimbabwe
15 August Assumption Day Madagascar
26 August Heroes' Day Namibia
6 September Somhlolo Day Swaziland
7 September Victory Day Mozambique
16 September Ganesh Chathurthi Mauritius
17 September Founder of Nation and National Heroes' Day Angola
24 September Heritage Day South Africa
25 September Armed Forces Day Mozambique
30 September Botswana Day Botswana
1 October Public Holiday Botswana
4 October Independence Day Lesotho
4 October Reconciliation Day/Peace Day Mozambique
8 October Mother's Day Malawi
11 October Eid ul Fitr* Mauritius, Tanzania
14 October Mwalimu Nyerere Day and Climax of “The Uhuru Torch Race” Tanzania
24 October Independence Day Zambia

* Depends on the sighting of the moon


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2007
August 2007
6-7 South Africa
Third Ordinary Session of the Conference of Ministers of Education of the African Union

 The meeting will be attended by the ministers responsible for educationin the 53 Member States of the African Union.
They will, among other things, discuss a proposal on the establishment of strategic partnerships for the implementation of the plan of action for the Second Decade of Education for Africa.


10-13 Zambia
Standing Committee of Senior Officials of SADC

The technical advisory committee to Council of Ministers meets in advance of Council and is chaired by the country chairing SADC - Lesotho.


14-15 Zambia
SADC Council of Ministers

The Council is responsible for supervising and monitoring the functions and development of SADC and ensuring that policies are properly implemented. Council comprises foreign affairs, international cooperation, economic development or planning and finance ministers from each Member State. Council precedes the Summit and prepares policy recommendations for adoption by the leaders.

16-17 Zambia
SADC Summit

The Summit of Heads of State and Government is the ultimate policy-making institution of SADC. The Lusaka Summit will witness the official handover of the rotating SADC Chair from Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili of Lesotho to President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia.


12-18 Sweden
World Water Week

The World Water Week in Stockholm is the leading annual global meeting place for capacity-building, partnership-building and follow-up on the implementation of international processes and programmes in water and development. The theme for this year's event is “Progress and Prospects on Water: Striving for Sustainability in a Changing World”.

19-23 South Africa
World Library and Information Congress: 73rd IFLA General Conference and Council

Organised by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the Congress taking place in Durban will look at the role of the library and information sector in development. The theme is “Libraries for the Future: Progress, Development and Partnerships”.


28-30 South Africa
Climate Change Action Africa 2007 Conference

African environmental experts will meet to strategise on a continental position to incorporate climate change adaptation programmes in national development policies.
The conference will be hosted by the International Quality and Productivity Centre.

September

     Parliamentary elections in Madagascar

Legislative elections are due at the end of September following the dissolution of Parliament by President Marc Ravalomanana.


October30 -31 Nigeria

NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee Summit

The committee comprises of the Heads of State and Government of 15 African Union member states, drawn three each from the continent's five regions. The main function of the committee is to set the policies and priorities of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. It meets three times a year and reports annually to the AU Summit.


title:
SADC Brigade anchors regional peace support operations

Abstract:
THE 2007 SADC Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia
will be remembered for the historic launch of the
SADC Brigade, a regional multidimensional peace
support operations capability established under
the framework of the African Standby Force.

body:
THE 2007 SADC Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia
will be remembered for the historic launch of the
SADC Brigade, a regional multidimensional peace
support operations capability established under
the framework of the African Standby Force.
The SADC Brigade, launched through a Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) signed by
southern African leaders on 17 August, was established
to guarantee peace, security and political
stability, which are prerequisites for development.
Consisting of military, police and civilian components,
the force will rely on resources pledged
by member states on a standby arrangement.
Other support mechanisms could be in the form
of logistical and medical services.
The persistence of conflict in some parts of
Africa has hampered socio-economic development
and integration efforts. This has prompted
the continent to review its security agenda.
In 2002, the Organisation of African Unity
(OAU) was transformed into the African Union
in conformity with the UN Charter and the ultimate
objectives of the OAU Charter. The transformation
ushered in, among other structures
and mechanisms, the AU Peace and Security Council, the African Standby Force and the Military
Staff Committee.
Leadership
President Levy Mwanawasa
of Zambia was elected the
new Chairperson of SADC
for 2007/8 and President
Thabo Mbeki of South Africa
is the deputy Chairperson.
South Africa will host the
2008 Summit. Together with
the previous Chairperson,
Lesotho Prime Minister
Pakalitha Mosisili, they make
up the current SADC Troika.
President José Eduardo dos
Santos of Angola is the new
Chairperson of the SADC
Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Cooperation, and
King Mswati III of Swaziland
is deputy Chairperson. They
join the outgoing Chairperson,
President Jakaya Kikwete of
the United Republic of Tanzania,
on the Organ Troika.

The policy document for the establishment of
the African Standby Force and the Military Staff
Committee was adopted by African leaders in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July 2004. The African Standby Force finds its legal
backing in Article 4(d) of the
Constitutive Act of the AU and
Article 13 of the Protocol Relating
to the Establishment of the
Peace and Security Council of
the AU.
Once fully established, the
African Standby Force will consist
of standby multidisciplinary
contingents, with civilian
and military components located
in their countries of origin
and ready for rapid deployment
anywhere on the continent
at appropriate notice.
The AU framework document
calls for the establishment
of the force in two phases
with Phase I having ended
on 30 June 2005 while Phase II
will end on 30 June 2010.
Thus establishment of the
SADC Brigade, along with
standby forces that are to be, or have already been, established
in the other four regions of the
continent, is a step towards the
African Standby Force that
should be in place by 2010.
The SADC Standby Force
will, among other duties, perform
observations and monitoring
missions, peace support
missions, and interventions
for peace and security
restoration in grave circumstances
at the request of a
member state.
The force will also be used
for preventive deployment in
order to prevent a dispute or
conflict from escalating; an ongoing
violent conflict from
spreading to neighbouring
areas or states; the resurgence
of violence after parties to a
conflict have reached an
agreement.
Other duties will include
peace-building, including
post-conflict disarmament and demobilisation and humanitarian
assistance to alleviate
the suffering of civilian
population in conflict areas.
In a departure from peace
support operations of yesteryear,
the SADC Standby Force
embraces a civilian component
to perform functions
ranging from provision of financial
and administrative
management to the provision
of legal advice and the protection
of human rights including
women and children.
The force has a Planning Element
at the SADC Secretariat
in Botswana, which is its only
permanent structure. This is
composed of regional military,
police and civilian staff on secondment
from member states
on rotation.
The Planning Element operates
on a daily basis as a tool
of the SADC Organ on Politics,
Defence and Security Cooperation, taking instructions
from the SADC Committee of
Chiefs of Defence Staff and
the Committee of SADC Police
Chiefs.
“The SADC Brigade, like
all other regional brigades,
will be part and parcel of the
African Standby Force,” said
Zambian President Levy
Mwanawasa during the
launch ceremony in Lusaka.
Mwanawasa added that
earmarked capabilities of the
troops or personnel will be
domiciled in their countries
of origin on an “on call” level
of alert for the duration of the
assignment in line with prescribed
times of response.
“In short, this is in fact a
permanent standby arrangement,”
he said.
Member states will be responsible
for training their
personnel with SADC standardising
training objectives
at all levels of the brigade to
ensure compatibility and interoperability
of systems and
equipment respectively. Such
standards should also be
compatible with those already
developed by the UN.
The Regional Peace Training
Centre located in Zimbabwe
and other national peace
support training institutions
will play a pivotal role in training
military commanders, police
officers and civilian officials
at various levels while at
the same time acting as the
“clearinghouse” for all peace
support operations and training
activities in the region.
SADC member states have
also agreed to establish the
Main Logistics Depot in
Botswana to support the operations
of the force from a
central point.
Discussions between the
SADC Secretariat and the
government of Botswana are
said to be at an advanced
stage to enter into an MOU
establishing the depot.


Abstract:
SADC HAS committed to embark on radical
measures to strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the process of implementing
its regional integration programme.

body:
SADC HAS committed to embark on radical
measures to strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the process of implementing
its regional integration programme.
At the 27th SADC Summit of Heads of State
and Government held in Lusaka, Zambia from
16-17 August, southern African leaders expressed
concern at the slow pace of implementing
goals and targets to achieve regional integration
and eradicate poverty.
To this end, the Summit directed
the SADC Secretariat to
work out the details of a regional
Master Plan for Infrastructure
Development in close cooperation
with Member States.
The SADC Chairperson,
President Levy Mwanawasa of
Zambia said regional integration
is hampered by inadequate
infrastructure in the key sectors
of energy, transport, communication,
water and tourism.
Electricity generation capacity
in SADC at present is only
52,743 MW of which 41,000
MW is secured capacity available
for distribution to consumers
against demand
of 42,000 MW.
The mismatch between
demand and
supply is a result of a
number of factors including lack of investment
over the
last 10 years,
growing population
as well as
expanding industries.
The existing
road and rail transport
infrastructure in SADC needs
rehabilitation to meet the region's
current objectives of
deeper regional integration.
This includes increased intraregional
trade in line with the
targets of a Free Trade Area by
2008, Customs Union in 2010
and Common Market by 2015.
In response to the acknowledged
urgent need for suitable
infrastructure and services as
the region moves to strengthen
regional integration, the southern
African leaders held a brainstorming
session during
the Summit, in
line with the Summit
theme, “Infrastructure
Development
in Support of
Regional Integration.”
The leaders noted that
Member States lack financial capacity
to rehabilitate regional
infrastructure and fund new
projects, despite the region
being well placed to receive
long-term investment necessary
for infrastructure development
given the peaceful environment.
The Summit called for financial
support from the private
sector and the international
community to complement
regional efforts.


title:
Gender Protocol referred to Member States for more consultations

Abstract:
SADC LEADERS have deferred
the signing of the Protocol on
Gender and Development to
give Member States more time to
conclude national consultations.
The draft protocol is now
being circulated widely so that
consensus can be reached at the
national levels, early enough to
be considered for signing at the
next Summit of Heads of State
and Government in 2008.

body:
SADC LEADERS have deferred
the signing of the Protocol on
Gender and Development to
give Member States more time to
conclude national consultations.
The draft protocol is now
being circulated widely so that
consensus can be reached at the
national levels, early enough to
be considered for signing at the
next Summit of Heads of State
and Government in 2008.
A communiqué presented at
the end of the 27th SADC Summit
of Heads of State and Government
in Lusaka on 17 August
2007 read, “…Summit noted
progress on the negotiations of
the protocol on gender and development
and agreed to defer
its signature to allow some Member
States to conclude their internal
consultations.”
The new SADC Chairperson,
President Levy Mwanawasa of
Zambia, said after the Summit
that he is hopeful the Protocol will
be considered for signing in 2008.
“It came to our attention during
Summit that some countries
needed to consult before they
could sign the protocol. There
were some amendments to the
document that were added at the
last minute,” Mwanawasa said.
Member States have been requested
to engage further in national
consultations with all relevant
partners to ensure ownership
of the draft by all stakeholders.
In addition, the SADC Secretariat
plans to hold a strategy
meeting on the protocol in November,
for senior officials.
Wider dissemination of the
draft protocol is pivotal to increasing
awareness on the contents
of the document and facilitating
debate to reach consensus.
It is now critical for the national
gender machineries to facilitate
in-depth and thorough
consultations at national level.
A protocol is the most binding
of SADC legal instruments.
Once it is signed and comes
into operation, the SADC Protocol
on Gender and Development
will provide a legal and
institutional framework for the
region to accelerate implementation
of commitments to gender
equality and women's empowerment.
Despite some progress, implementation
of gender targets in
southern Africa still falls short of
stated commitments as gaps and
obstacles that prevent gender  equality from being a reality still
prevail.
This has caused governments
to reflect on their commitments
in a very practical manner and to
request more time to consider the
contents of the protocol and the
targets.


title:
Key elements of Draft Protocol on Gender and Development

Abstract:
THE DRAFT SADC Protocol on
Gender and Development proposes
specific goals and targets to
ensure accountability in addressing
inequalities in constitutional
and legal rights; governance; education
and training; productive resources
and employment; genderbased
violence; health; HIV and
AIDS; peace building and conflict
resolution; and in the media, information
and communication.

body:
THE DRAFT SADC Protocol on
Gender and Development proposes
specific goals and targets to
ensure accountability in addressing
inequalities in constitutional
and legal rights; governance; education
and training; productive resources
and employment; genderbased
violence; health; HIV and
AIDS; peace building and conflict
resolution; and in the media, information
and communication.
Proposed targets in the Draft
Protocol currently being circulated
to facilitate wider consultations
at national level include the
following:
 Enshrine gender equality in
national constitutions by 2015.
 Review, amend or repeal all
discriminatory laws by 2015.
 Abolish the minority status of
women by 2010.
 Endeavour to have women
holding 50 percent of decisionmaking
positions in the public
and private sectors by 2015.
 Ensure that men and women
participate equally in decision-
making by putting in
place policies and strategies
that ease the burden of multiple
roles played by women.
 Enact laws and promote equal
access to primary, secondary,
tertiary and vocational education
in line with the Protocol
on Education and Training by
2015.
 Enact and enforce legislation
prohibiting all forms of gender-
based violence by 2015.
 Take measures to protect
women, men, girls and boys against HIV and AIDS infection
and other sexually transmitted
infections contracted as
a result of any sexual violation.
 Eradicate harmful traditional
norms, practices and religious
beliefs that legitimise and exacerbate
the persistence and
tolerance of gender-based violence.
 Enact and adopt specific legislative
provisions by 2010 to
prevent human trafficking.
 Introduce a composite index
for measuring the reduction
in gender-based violence.
 Allocate the necessary resources
to ensure the implementation
and sustainability
of the programmes set out in
the Protocol.
 Adopt and implement legislative
frameworks, policies,
programmes and services to
enhance gender sensitive, appropriate
and affordable quality
health care particularly in
maternal health, sexual and
reproductive health, in line
with the SADC Protocol on
Health, by 2015.
 Adopt and implement gender
sensitive policies and programmes
in prevention, treatment,
care and support in accordance
with the Maseru Declaration
on HIV and AIDS.
Put in place measures to ensure
that women have equal
representation and participation
in key decision-making
positions in conflict resolution
and peace building processes
by 2015 in accordance with UN Council Resolution 1325
on peace-building, peacemaking
and peace-keeping.
 Recognise gender equality as
intrinsic to freedom of expression
and ensure that all
women and men have the
right to communicate their
views, interests and needs.
 Put in place public education,
information, and education
and communication strategies
to modify the social and cultural
patterns of conduct of
women and men, which are
based on stereotyped roles for
women and men.
 Adopt legislative measures to
enforce 50 percent representation
of women in decisionmaking
positions in both the
public and private media by
2015.
 Increase the number of programmes
for, by and about
women, on gender specific
topics, and that challenge
gender stereotypes.
 Ensure access to education
and training in information
and communication technologies
including a commitment
to specifically provide opportunities
to increase girls' literacy
and to ensure participation
by girls and women in
technology education and
training at all levels.
 Ensure the use of information
and communication technologies
in the health, education,
trade, employment and other
development arenas for
women's empowerment.


title:
SADC braces for climate change challenge

Abstract:
SADC MEMBER States are taking
bold steps to ease the impact
of climate change as evidence
points to continued
warming and drier conditions
across the mainland countries.
Increasingly violent cyclones
are forecast to hit the island and
coastal states, especially in the
Mozambique Channel.

body:
SADC MEMBER States are taking
bold steps to ease the impact
of climate change as evidence
points to continued
warming and drier conditions
across the mainland countries.
Increasingly violent cyclones
are forecast to hit the island and
coastal states, especially in the
Mozambique Channel.
Announcing various measures
to address global warming
in the region, SADC leaders
attending the high-level
meeting on climate change at
the United Nations Headquarters
in New York in September
called for urgent global action,
and local solutions to the climate
menace.
The discussion, which drew
more than 100 Heads of State
and Government and about 80
Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
was the largest-ever gathering
on climate change.
Delegates witnessed a bold
show of political will to tackle
climate change by the region's
leadership who stressed the
need for action.
They announced various
measures being taken by SADC
Member States as they prepare
to deal with the impacts of climate
change, while also noting
the challenges of low adaptive
capacity.
Angolan President José Eduardo
dos Santos reiterated his
country's commitment to the
United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol
- the current global framework
for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions by 2012.
Among measures to reduce
emissions, dos Santos told delegates
that the oil-rich southern
African country plans to cut the
burning of gas resulting
from oil production.
“My government is committed
to the total elimination,
by 2010, of
such gas by transforming it into liquefied natural
gas,” dos Santos said.
Botswana indicated that it
fully supports the UNFCCC as
the Convention provides an appropriate
global framework for
addressing the challenges of climate
change.
“What we need is the political
will to mobilise resources to facilitate
effective implementation
of the Convention,” said Mopati
Merafhe, Botswana's Minister of
Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation, adding that his
government has established “a
multi-sectoral national committee
on climate change” to advise
on relevant issues.
Marco Hausiku, the Foreign
Minister of Namibia said climate
change is a global issue with serious
implications for economic
growth, sustainable development
and the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals.
Hausiku called upon “the
private sector to join hands
with governments to develop
and apply technologies that can
mitigate climate change."
"The international community
has to live up to its commitment
to provide resources to developing
countries to adapt to the effect
of climate change," he told
the high-level meeting. "Namibia
is not happy with the rate at
which investments are made in
the development of renewable
and clean energy sources."
President Levy Mwanawasa
of Zambia, who is the current
SADC Chairperson, stressed the
low adaptive capacity to climate
change by developing countries.
“Our early warning systems
are inadequate to face the new
challenges by climate change.
These include weather forecasting,
disaster prediction and preparedness,”
he said.
“The inadequacy in early
warning systems makes it difficult
for us to plan for our farming.
It also undermines our ability
to respond timely to crisis
situations induced by adverse
effects of climate change.”
Madagascar's President Marc
Ravalomanana implored some
industrialised nations who have been “dragging their feet”
to move to enable the creation
of an “ecological
partnership” with Africa.
“The mission of this
partnership would be to
find creative solutions to
these climate and environmental
problems. Priority
actions need to be
agreed upon. A funding
and investment strategy
needs to be developed.
And a strategy for monitoring
progress needs to
be formulated,” said
Ravalomanana.
Over the past decade,
Madagascar has experienced an
increase in the number of violent
cyclones from an average of two
to five cyclones a year, to five to
eight cyclones a year.
Madagascar's records going
back 50 years show that the average
temperatures have increased
by 0.65 degrees Celsius.
During the same period, the
length of the growing period
in the rice fields on the Madagascar
Highlands has decreased
as the number of days
without rain has increased by
one day per year.
In the United Republic of
Tanzania, climate change studies
reveal that there has been a
general increase in temperature
over the last 40 years, and
rainfall has been decreasing in
most parts of the country during
this same period
With recent research showing
that, due to global warming, the  glaciers at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro
are melting so quickly
that they will be gone by 2020,
there is concern that human activities
may have set in motion
irreversible climatic changes.
Studies conducted in Zimbabwe
show that the monthly
highest daily maximum temperatures
for most of the country
are on the increase, by about
2 degrees Celsius per century.
Data shows that the length of
the cold winter spell is decreasing
by about 15 days per century.
“With predictions that agricultural
productivity in Zimbabwe
could decrease by up to 30
percent this century and marked
by severe drought, climate
change poses one of the most serious
food security challenges of
the 21st century in the country,”
said Francis Nhema, Zimbabwe's
Minister of Environment
and Tourism and current chair of
the UN Commission on Sustainable
Development.
Nhema called for the setting
up of a 'Special Adaptation Fund
for Africa' in order to build adaptive
capacity on the continent.
A number of countries confirmed
that they have completed
their National Adaptation Plans
of Action (NAPAs) on climate
change. These include Lesotho,
Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia.
The NAPAs identify priority areas for which urgent and immediate
action is required for the
countries to adapt to the effects
of climate change.
The New York event was
aimed at securing political commitment
and building momentum
for the UN Climate Change
Conference to be held in Bali, Indonesia
in December, where negotiations
on a new international
climate agreement should start.
That meeting will seek to determine
future action on mitigation,
adaptation, the global carbon
market and financing responses
to climate change after
the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol.
Commenting on proceedings,
the UN Secretary-General,
Ban Ki-moon, said, “I sensed
something remarkable happening,
something transformative -
a sea-change, whereby leaders
showed themselves willing to
put aside blame for the past and
pose to themselves more forward-
looking questions.”
“Our job is to translate the
spirit of New York into deeds in
Bali,” said Mr. Ban.


Abstract:
EVIDENCE OF climate change
is starkly visible in the disappearance
of glaciers on mountains
near the equator in East
Africa.

body:
EVIDENCE OF climate change
is starkly visible in the disappearance
of glaciers on mountains
near the equator in East
Africa.
Glaciers are found on three
mountains in Africa - the Rwenzori
mountains on the DRC-Uganda
border, Mount Kenya
in Kenya, and Mt Kilimanjaro
in the United Republic of Tanzania.
Retreat of these glaciers
began around the 1880s as a result
of a decrease in precipitation
and an increase in solar radiation
from reduced cloudiness.
Later in the 20th century,
increased temperature became
an additional driver, although
its relative importance is still
debated.
Close to 50 percent of the
glaciers on the Rwenzori mountains,
Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro
have disappeared,
while larger glaciers, particularly
on Kilimanjaro, have been
fragmented.
(Global Outlook for Ice & Snow,
UNEP, 2007, p. 144)


title:
GEO 4: Climate change reaches a tipping point

Abstract:
THE GLOBAL Environment
Outlook (GEO 4) acknowledges
that climate change has reached
a tipping point with widespread
impacts on both people and the
environment.

body:
THE GLOBAL Environment
Outlook (GEO 4) acknowledges
that climate change has reached
a tipping point with widespread
impacts on both people and the
environment.
According to the report, climate
change, including global
warming, is well underway
with average world temperatures
having risen by 0.74°C
over the last century. This trend
shows that 11 of the warmest
years in the last 125 years have
occurred since 1990.
The Inter-Governmental
Panel on Climate Change projects
an increase in the average
global temperature of 1.8 - 4°C
by the end of this century.
Climate change impacts are
already evident and include
changes in water availability,
food insecurity, sea-level rise
and the melting of ice cover and snow in the Greenland ice sheet
and on mountains such as the
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The projected increase in frequency
and intensity of heat
waves, storms, floods and
droughts would affect millions
of people across the world.
Africa is one of the regions most
vulnerable to climate change.
The array of adaptive responses
ranges from purely
technological such as sea defences
to managerial such as
modified farm practices, to policy
including regulation of
greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon dioxide is the principal
greenhouse gas that causes
climate change. Ozone depleting
substances also cause climate
change and are responsible
for the hole in the stratospheric
ozone layer over the
Antarctic which protects people from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The hole is now the largest
ever seen.
Due to decreased emissions
of ozone depleting substances,
the ozone layer is expected to recover,
but not until the period
2060 to 2075. This projection assumes
full compliance with the
Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone
Layer.
The ozone depleting substances
have undergone a massive
phase out over the last 20
years, with 2004 emissions
being 20 percent of the 1990
level.
The GEO 4 report is set for
launch in October in 40 cities,
including Johannesburg, South
Africa and Port Louis, Mauritius,
with the main launch at
the UN Headquarters in New
York.


Abstract:
THE FORTHCOMING Southern
Africa Environment Outlook (SAEO)
projects serious climate change impacts
in this region, as records from
SADC countries show that average
temperatures have risen by more
than 0.5°C over the past 100 years,
and the 1990s were the warmest
and driest ever.

body:
THE FORTHCOMING Southern
Africa Environment Outlook (SAEO)
projects serious climate change impacts
in this region, as records from
SADC countries show that average
temperatures have risen by more
than 0.5°C over the past 100 years,
and the 1990s were the warmest
and driest ever.
With eight of SADC's 14 Member
States having a total of more
than 15,000 km of coastline, the
region would also be affected by a
rise in the sea level, estimated to
reach 15-95 cm by 2100. Much of
the global rise in sea levels will be
due to the melting of ice cover in
the Greenland ice sheet.
Mountain glaciers around the
world also continue to melt. Southern
Africa's beacon in this regard is
Mt Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania.
The total area covered by snow
on Mt Kilimanjaro decreased by
six-fold from about 12 sq km in
1900 to two sq km in 2000.
With increasing atmospheric
emissions of greenhouse gases
such as carbon dioxide and resultant
climate change, summer rainfall
is expected to decrease over
subtropical regions of southern
Africa, while increasing over
tropical regions. A decrease in the
winter rainfall region of the
southern Cape is also probable.
The anticipated five percent
decrease in rainfall due to climate
change will affect people and all
forms of wildlife, including
plants and animals.
The Southern Africa Environment
Outlook projects crop yields
to drop by as much as 10-20 percent
in some parts of southern
Africa as the region becomes
more arid, and predicts the
spread of the malaria-carrying
Anopheles female mosquito to
parts of Namibia and South
Africa where it has not been
found before.
The report cautions that it is
not possible to predict with any
degree of certainty the exact timing,
magnitude and nature of expected
climate changes under the
effects of global warming.


title:
Madagascar elects legislators as economy resurges

Abstract:
MADAGASCAR WENT to the
polls on 23 September to choose
parliamentary representatives as
the country's economy registered
yet another remarkable improvement
in five years.

body:
MADAGASCAR WENT to the
polls on 23 September to choose
parliamentary representatives as
the country's economy registered
yet another remarkable improvement
in five years.
The elections held in September
were to choose 127 national
assembly representatives in 119
districts.
The number for parliamentary
seats was reduced from the
previous 160.
President Marc Ravalomanana's
ruling party, I Love
Madagascar (TIM), captured all
the seats in the capital Antananarivo,
as it claimed 106 out of
the 127 seats in parliament.
The election was observed by
teams from the Southern African
Development Community
(SADC), and the African Union
(AU). South Africa also sent an
observer team.
The September elections
came a month after SADC leaders
met during an ordinary Summit
in Lusaka, Zambia, where
they expressed satisfaction with
a growing culture of multiparty
democracy in the region. Most
Member States are holding regular
elections.
According to the SADC Summit
2007 Communiqué, the leaders
noted the peaceful and orderly
manner in which the people of
the DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar
and Zambia exercised their democratic
right in the elections.
Madagascar held its presidential
elections in December 2006 in
which President Ravalomanana
was elected, defeating 13 other
presidential candidates to retain
the position he won in 2002.
It was during these presidential
elections that Madagascar
first embraced the SADC Principles
and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections since they
were adopted in 2004.
Madagascar was formally admitted
to SADC at the 25th Summit
in Botswana in 2005.
Under the principles and
guidelines, SADC member states
seek to uphold full participation
of all their citizens in their country's
political processes.
The guidelines also call on
the countries to ensure that their
citizenry has equal opportunity
to exercise the right to vote and
be voted for.
Using the guidelines, a SADC
Election Observation Mission is
dispatched to observe an election
in the region, made up of
representatives from government
or opposition parties in
various Member States and
headed by a Minister from the
country that chairs the SADC
Organ on Politics, Defence and
Security, currently Angola.
Since coming to power in
2002, Ravalomanana has embarked
on widespread economic
and social reforms that stirred
the southern African country out
of decades of recession.
Speaking during the UN
General Assembly in New York
on 26 September, Ravalomanana
said his country recorded five
percent economic growth five
years ago, six percent over the
last few years, rising to seven
percent in 2007.
“Poverty rates are dropping
dramatically. In 2002, 80 percent of
our population was living in
poverty, last year this rate stood at
67 percent,” said Ravalomanana.
The parliamentary elections
are the third to be held since
President Ravalomanana, was
given his second mandate in the
December 2006 presidential elections.
Madagascar held a constitutional
referendum in April 2007
that subsequently led to the national
assembly being dissolved
close to a year before the time the
legislators' term was supposed to
expire. The National Assembly
was dissolved on 24 July 2007.
The landslide victory in the
referendum allowed the government
to go ahead with the abolition
of the six provinces replacing
them with 22 smaller developmental
administrative areas.
English was also added as a
third official language in Madagascar
after the referendum in
April. Malagasy and French are
the other official languages.


title:
Mozambique leads the way to visafree region

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE IS moving rapidly
towards visa-free borders and
leading the way to meet SADC
targets for easing the movement
of people and goods in the region.
Over the past few years,
Mozambique has shed visa requirements
for neighbouring
countries, with the final agreement
for Zimbabwe taking effect
on 1 November.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE IS moving rapidly
towards visa-free borders and
leading the way to meet SADC
targets for easing the movement
of people and goods in the region.
Over the past few years,
Mozambique has shed visa requirements
for neighbouring
countries, with the final agreement
for Zimbabwe taking effect
on 1 November.
Mozambique and Zimbabwe
signed a visa waiver agreement
for the citizens of both countries
in a move seen as “the re-meeting
of the two peoples.”
The agreement was signed in
Maputo by the Minister of the
Interior, José Pacheco, and his
Zimbabwean counterpart, the
Minister of Home Affairs,
Kembo Mohadi.
Mozambique has novisa
agreements with its
immediate neighbours
of Malawi, South
Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania
and Zambia, as well as the host country of the
SADC headquarters, Botswana.
The agreement is in line with
the spirit of the SADC Protocol
on the Facilitation of Movement
of Persons, adopted in a watershed
decision by the 2005 SADC
Summit in Botswana.
The protocol still needs to be
ratified by two-thirds of the 14
Member States to come into effect,
and countries have been encouraged
to sign visa waiver
agreements bilaterally.
Certainly the move will benefit
small-and-medium-scale
businesses. However, another
group that the agreement seeks
to target is women who account
largely for the thriving informal
trade in border areas.
The no-visa agreements enable
citizens of each country who
are holders of valid passports to
enter and settle temporarily or
transit through the territories of
both countries without any hindrance,
for a period of 30 days.


Abstract:
SADC CONTINUES with its
programme of involving the
youth in regional integration
with winners of the 2007 SADC
Secondary Schools Essay Competition
receiving their prizes

body:
SADC CONTINUES with its
programme of involving the
youth in regional integration
with winners of the 2007 SADC
Secondary Schools Essay Competition
receiving their prizes
during the 27th Summit in August.
The winners of the regional
competition were presented with
prize money of US$1500,
US$1000 and US$750 for first,
second and third prizes respectively.
The top prize was won by
Diana Kawendu of Zimbabwe.
Diana's winning essay addressed
various issues that affect
poverty in southern Africa, including
HIV and AIDS as well as
the colonial legacy. She also discussed
the measures being taken
by southern African countries to
address these challenges.
The prizes were presented
by Lesotho Prime Minister
Pakalitha Mosisili, the outgoing
Chairperson of SADC.
In its ninth consecutive year
running, this year's competition
was sponsored by Southern
Africa Trust.


title:
Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere 1922 - 1999

Abstract:
IN OCTOBER 1959, speaking to the Legislative Assembly
two years before Tanganyika's independence, Julius
Nyerere expressed the essence of his beliefs:
“We, the people of Tanganyika, would like to light a
candle and put it on top of Mount Kilimanjaro which
would shine beyond our borders giving hope where there
was despair, love where there was hate, and dignity where
before there was only humiliation.”

body:
IN OCTOBER 1959, speaking to the Legislative Assembly
two years before Tanganyika's independence, Julius
Nyerere expressed the essence of his beliefs:
“We, the people of Tanganyika, would like to light a
candle and put it on top of Mount Kilimanjaro which
would shine beyond our borders giving hope where there
was despair, love where there was hate, and dignity where
before there was only humiliation.”
Faced with a choice between teaching and politics, Nyerere
had chosen the latter, though he remained committed
to both. He was nominated to the Tanganyika Legislative
Council in July 1957, but resigned in December in
protest at Britain's delaying of independence.
In Tanganyika's first elections in 1958, he was elected to
Parliament and was returned unopposed in the 1960 general
election. He formed the first Tanganyika Council of
Ministers and became the first Chief Minister.
In May 1961, Nyerere became Prime Minister, resigning
six weeks after independence to bridge the potential
gap between government and party.
Tanganyika became independent on 9 December 1961
and a year later when the country became a republic, Nyerere,
elected by over 96 per cent of the voters, became its
first President. He had offered to delay independence for
the sake of unity with Kenya and Uganda, and was deeply
committed to the unity of Africa, a reality that is coming to
pass after his death.
“IN HIS 77 years of mortal life, Mwalimu did
much for our nation, for the African continent,
and for the world. He made us free and contributed
to the freedom of others beyond our
borders. Like Nkrumah he believed the indignity
of one African was the indignity of all
Africans; and that as long as there was an
African country under colonial domination, the
freedom of one African country was meaningless.
He mobilised our national will, spirit and
resources for the total liberation of Africa. …
His view of freedom was all-encompassing.
It was not restricted to political independence,
but extended to a vision of a totally liberated
human being - in political, economic, social
and cultural terms. ...
I am sure if Mwalimu could speak to us
now, he would be exhorting us to pick up his
mantle and carry on the struggle against poverty,
against injustice, against bigotry. … He
would urge us to move much more quickly to
integrate African economies, and promote
African unity. He would appeal for collective
South-South self-reliance. ”
HE Benjamin Mkapa, then President of the United
Republic of Tanzania, speaking at the State Funeral
for Mwalimu Nyerere, on 21 October 1999 in Dar
es Salaam.
He was a founding father of the Southern African
Development Community, the East African Community
and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
While those in the developed world walked, his brisk
and sprightly stride implied, as he repeatedly said, that
Africa had to run to catch up. Once political freedom was
attained, unity and development, coupled with hard work,
were essential pre-requisites in nation building.
He was the champion of the liberation of southern
Africa becoming the first chairman of the Front Line
States. In Tanzania, Africa and the world he was regarded
almost with awe.
Such reaction was contrary to that which Nyerere
wanted. He was above all a simple man combining this
with formidable discipline.
Apart from his simplicity and piercing intellect, one
of Nyerere's most endearing traits was his honesty.
Today it is no longer fashionable among journalists to
take politicians at their word or even imagine in advance
what those words might be.
Yet if you applied obvious logic, Nyerere was highly
predictable. Once I said on the BBC that he would take the
extreme step of leaving the Commonwealth if British Prime
Minister Edward Heath resumed arms supplies to South
Africa. Some days later Nyerere asked me how I knew that
was his decision. To this day I have never been sure whether
he was flattered or not at being told he was that obvious.
For the next 24 years Nyerere filled the African and international
stage like a colossus, before stepping down as
President in 1985 to concentrate on development of the
South Centre, of which he was the first chairman.
When he met the astute US Secretary of State, Henry
Kissinger, for the first time in Dar es Salaam in 1976, the
two men began a mental verbal fencing match of mammoth
proportions, often using quotations from Shakespeare
(several of whose works Nyerere had translated
into Swahili setting them in an African context).
Neither man trusted the other. Kissinger wanted the
negotiations kept secret. Nyerere wanted transparency,
and as Africa correspondent of the London Sunday
newspaper, The Observer, I had the benefit of his strategic
briefings. That year, thanks to Mwalimu, Africa was
the main story on the front page of the newspaper on an
unprecedented 16 occasions, as one political fox temporarily
outwitted the other.
Nyerere's distinctive grey hair atop a slight but athletic
body always stood out from the crowd. When he was in
his seventies, young security officers had to run to keep up
with him and the sound of his mercurial voice, raised and
then whispered, was still resonant and haunting.
I was fascinated by the man who was to become my informal
professor, teaching me the principles of African liberation,
non-racialism, and “thinking South”.
South, he said, was not a geographical description
but a way of thinking. Nyerere, as his record testifies,
recognised the equality of all human beings irrespective
of race, ethnicity, gender or religion.
It was a year after my arrival in Dar es Salaam in January
1964 that I met Nyerere for an interview and when
I did so it was strictly on his terms.
I learned two things about the man from that meeting.
The first was that he was a master media manager,
a quality some other contemporary leaders could well
emulate. He spoke to journalists on his terms when he
had something to say.
At another meeting I recall commenting on the number
of African countries who were not paying their dues
to the OAU Liberation Committee, which was based on
Dar es Salaam. He looked at me, thoughtfully chewing
the inner corner of his cheek in the characteristic way he
had when concentrating.
Having made his decision, he passed across a file
swearing me to secrecy as to its details. It contained Tanzania's
budget for that year for the liberation movements
fighting colonialism and minority rule in Angola,
Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia,
South Africa and the Comoro islands.
I was astounded by just how much Tanzanians were
paying; a sum well beyond the country's publicised contribution.
Therein lies Nyerere's greatest contribution. All of
the countries of the continent, with the exception of Saharawi,
are now fully independent. When Nyerere had
spoken to the Legislative Assembly in 1959 only nine
countries were independent; today the number is 54.
All of southern Africa's liberation movements at one
time had their headquarters in Dar es Salaam. In the
heady days of the 1960s through to the somewhat
calmer 1980s, Tanzania was to be the crossroads of
Africa.
Domestically, Nyerere's most enduring legacy must
be Tanzania's unity and stability. From over 120 ethnic
groups, Nyerere forged a united nation bonded by a single
language, Swahili, and he united the sovereign states
of Tanganyika and Zanzibar into the single country now
called the United Republic of Tanzania. (sardc.net)
David Martin (1936-2007) was a journalist and photographer
who lived in Tanzania for 10 years from 1964 before
moving to Zambia and then Zimbabwe, and he talked frequently
with Nyerere during the next 35 years.


body:
Public holidays in SADC for the period 
 October - December 2007
1 October Public Holiday Botswana
4 October Independence Day Lesotho
4 October Peace Day Mozambique
8 October Mother's Day Malawi
12 October Eid - Ul Fitr* Mauritius, Tanzania
14 October Mwalimu Nyerere Day and Climax of “The Uhuru
Torch Race” Tanzania
24 October Independence Day Zambia
1 November All Saints Day Madagascar
2 November All Saints Day Angola
2 November Arrival of Indentured Labourers Mauritius
9 November Divali Mauritius
11 November Independence Day Angola
9 December Independence Day Tanzania
10 December International Human Rights Day Namibia
16 December Day of Reconciliation South Africa
22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe
25 December Christmas Day All SADC
26 December Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi,
Tanzania
26 December Family Day Mozambique, Namibia
26 December Day of Goodwill South Africa
26 December Public Holiday Zimbabwe
* Depends on sighting of the new moon


body:
EVENTS DIARY 2007
October 2007


17 Ghana
African Business Leaders Forum

The forum aims to identify and propose implementation of sustainable solutions to the continent's developmental challenges. The forum will have leaders from both public and private sectors to deliberate on critical issues such as service delivery, infrastructure development and poverty alleviation



25 Mauritius, South Africa
Simultaneous launch of GEO-4

The Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is a UNEP project aimed at providing environmental information for decision-makers, early warning and capacity building at the global and sub-regional levels. Issued every four years, GEO is in its 4th phase. GEO 4 will be simultaneously launched in 40 cities around the world, with the main launch at UN headquarters in New York.


31 Oct-2 Nov Kenya
Powering Africa: the financial options

Experts in the finance sector will meet with government officials and senior power and gas executives to talk money. What is happening in the financial markets, and how will it impact the expansion of Africa's power sector? These are some of the questions that will be discussed at the meeting in Mombasa.


November 2007


5-9 Zambia
SADC Extraordinary Council of Ministers

The Council is responsible for supervising and monitoring the functions and development of SADC and ensuring that policies are properly implemented. Council comprises the ministers for foreign affairs, international cooperation, economic development or planning and finance from Member States. Council is preceded by the Standing Committee of Senior Officials of SADC, which plays an advisory role.

20-21 Egypt
Africa/Middle East Renewable Energy Summit

The meeting will discuss the economics of renewable energy including markets, government policies, technological issues as well as demand and supply questions.

22-29 Zimbabwe
The Zambezi Basin-wide Stakeholder Forum

The forum will track progress made in managing water resources in the basin; learn from the basin-wide experiences in water resources management; build alliances and synergies; and promote stakeholder dialogue.
23-25 Uganda
Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting
Under the theme “Transforming Commonwealth Societies to Achieve Political, Economic and Human Development,” leaders of the 52-member grouping will meet in Kampala for CHOGM, held every two years.


December 2007

8 Portugal
EU-AU Summit
 The summit will discuss issues of mutual interest to the two
continents with a view to strengthening existing and future cooperation. The summit is expected to adopt a joint EU-AU strategy for cooperation and aimed at building an effective partnership between the two continents.


fullvolume:
SADC Today Volume 10 No.4, February 2008

Abstract:
THE YEAR 2008 is a milestone for the SADC region
with the official launch of the Free Trade
Area, and a target of 85 percent of all product
lines trading at zero tariffs.

body:
THE YEAR 2008 is a milestone for the SADC region
with the official launch of the Free Trade
Area, and a target of 85 percent of all product
lines trading at zero tariffs.
The tariff phase-down has been done on a
step-by-step basis with each schedule taking effect
every January since 2001. Thus, as of January
2008, the 85 percent target was deemed effective.
The remaining 15 percent, constituting sensitive
products, will have tariff barriers removed
from 2008 to 2012.
While the agreed tariff phase-down took effect
in January, the official launch of the SADC Free
Trade Area will be in August, coinciding with the
annual Summit of Heads of State and Government.
South Africa, which takes over the rotating
SADC chair in August, is preparing to host the
Summit.
Progress on the Free Trade Area was discussed
at a number of SADC meetings during 2007 with
positive reports on the preparedness of the regional
body and its Member States.
The most recent was the Extra Ordinary
Council in November in the Zambian capital
Lusaka, which “noted with satisfaction that,
the region is indeed ready to launch the SADC
Free Trade Area in 2008 as per the set milestones.”
Since 2000, the 14-member regional bloc has
been implementing the SADC Trade Protocol,
which provides the framework for deeper economic
integration. It is hoped that come August,
all parties to the Trade Protocol would have
complied.
However, not all SADC Member States are
members of the Free Trade Area as Angola and
the Democratic Republic of Congo are currently
not applying the Trade Protocol, and have asked
for more time.
To qualify for duty free access, traders would
have to produce a certificate of origin to customs
officials which guarantees that the goods
indeed originate from within the SADC region.
This is based on a detailed list of product-specific
rules of origin.

Energy in southern Africa

AS THE demand for electricity
in southern Africa surpasses
generation capacity,
massive short-term projects
costing US$8 billion need to
be fast tracked over the next
two years. Electricity shortages
have severely affected
several SADC Member States
leading to scheduled and, in
some cases, unscheduled
power cuts. See special review, on ENERGY.

Concerns have been raised
by the business community
about the need to decentralise
the certification process so as
to reduce transaction costs.
Exporters would not want to
travel far from their operational
bases for them to have
their SADC Certificate of Origin
endorsed by the relevant
authority.
Moreover, with all its good
intentions, the current certification
process does not suit
small traders or the multitude
of informal cross-border
traders precisely due to the
quantities that they deal in. It
simply would not make economic
sense for most such
traders to run between suppliers
and relevant authorities
for certification where small
quantities are involved.
The main purpose of adopting
rules of origin in a Free
Trade Area is to ensure that the
benefits of participating in the
trading zone do not extend to
non-members. In theory, however,
the significance of rules of
origin on goods traded in a particular
sub-region falls away as
its members move towards a
common external tariff, that is,
in higher levels of economic integration
such as a Customs
Union.
In the case of SADC, the
Free Trade Area is a step towards
higher levels of economic
integration which are to
be achieved on an incremental
basis, leading to a Customs
Union in 2010, a Common
Market in 2015 and Monetary
Union in 2018.
Meanwhile, media reports
in the region during the first
weeks of 2008 have expressed
guarded optimism about the
coming into effect of the
SADC Free Trade Area.
Noting that most
goods produced in
the region can now
enter Member States free of customs duties, the
South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC) added a
note of concern about the potential
skewed distribution of
benefits accruing from the
intra-regional trade.
SABC reported that “…
some SADC states are concerned
that South Africa will
benefit the most as it is the region's
economic powerhouse
and exports more than it imports
from SADC countries.”
South Africa accounts for
about two-thirds of the region's
total Gross Domestic
Product (GDP), according to
available SADC statistics.
However, to minimise the
potential negative impacts
arising from the tariff phasedown,
SADC has opted for an
arrangement that is based on a
variable geometry model, taking
into account the asymmetrical
level of development in
Member States.
The model is such that
countries in the Southern
African Customs Union -
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia,
South Africa and Swaziland -
are liberalising faster, followed
by Mauritius and Zimbabwe,
while the rest follow.
The Mozambique news
agency, AIM, reported that the
country is implementing the
relevant changes in line with
the Trade Protocol, and quoted
a government minister allaying
fears that Mozambique would be swamped with
South African imports to the
detriment of local industries.
António Fernando, the Minister
of Industry and Trade was
quoted by AIM as saying “the
country can only gain from integration,
since the suppression
of customs barriers will make
goods much cheaper, stimulating
greater production and
consumption.”
While the liberalisation of
trade often leads to a wider
choice for consumers and
sometimes greater competitiveness
of local industries, it does
not always lead to lower prices
as experienced during past
World Bank/International
Monetary Fund-sponsored economic
reform programmes.
Reporting that Zimbabwe
has aligned its import tariffs in
line with the SADC Trade Protocol,
The Herald quoted local
experts expressing optimism
on the development.
“The secondary industry is
set to benefit from the tricklingin
of raw materials and would
mean containing or even reducing
inflation given the
availability of stable and affordable
prices of basic commodities,”
the Zimbabwean
daily quoted a local economist.
“Competition is of importance
in business but the impending
rivalry is regarded as
unfair for the local manufacturing
industry since we are
not operating on equal terms,” cautioned another member of
the business community.
Analysts say that, as
SADC progresses towards
higher levels of economic integration,
in particular the
Customs Union, the question
of overlapping membership
becomes more pertinent.
This is because World
Trade Organisation rules do
not allow a Member State to
belong to more than one Customs
Union.
Yet some SADC Member
States belong to regional economic
communities that already
have or plan to have
Customs Unions. These include
the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern
Africa (COMESA) and the
East African Community.
The challenges of overlapping
memberships were a
major impediment to
progress during negotiations
on Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA) between regions
in the African, Pacific
and Caribbean (ACP) group
and the European Union
(EU), which officially ended
in June.
EPAs were to be concluded
by December 2007 but with
the substance of the overall
economic agreement between
Africa and the EU having
failed to see the light of day
during the December Summit
in Lisbon, Portugal, the fate of
EPAs remains unclear.

SADC Economic Integration Targets by 2015
2008 2010 2015

Free Trade Area completed

(Tariff & non-tariff barriers
removed on 85% of goods*) Customs Union established

(Common external tariff on
third countries) Common Market Achieved
(Free movement of all factors
of production, common trade
policy on third countries)

*Excludes sensitive products whose tariffs fall away by 2012. Examples include:
Sugar
Chemicals and plastics
Textiles and clothing
Dairy products
Motor vehicles
Footwear


title:
SADC International Consultative Conference on
Poverty and Development

Abstract:
SADC WILL host a regional conference
on poverty and development
to raise awareness on the
regional dimensions of poverty
and to develop programmes that
generate pro-poor growth.

body:
SADC WILL host a regional conference
on poverty and development
to raise awareness on the
regional dimensions of poverty
and to develop programmes that
generate pro-poor growth.
The conference will provide a
platform for SADC, International
Cooperating Partners (ICPs), civil
society and the private sector to
engage in policy dialogue, forge
consensus and review progress of
the SADC economic integration
agenda with a view to focus on
poverty eradication and sustainable
development.
The objectives of the SADC
Conference on Poverty and
Development are to:
 maintain the momentum for
the region to continue striving
to achieve the MDGs;
 discuss the regional dimensions
of poverty and their
linkages with national
poverty-reduction strategies;
 establish the interdependence
between poverty
eradication strategies and
trade opening policies;
 forge consensus on the key
elements of a regional
poverty reduction and economic
integration strategy
with the stakeholders,
namely the SADC governments,
private sector and
civil society;
 develop an action
plan/roadmap on poverty
and development, outlining
a series of specific tasks
and actions in the short,
medium and long terms;
 remobilise the international
community, in particular
the developed countries,
to live up to their
commitments with regard
to increasing the levels of
development aid, including
aid for trade;
 secure resources, both at
regional and international
levels, to meet economic
and social adjustment
costs and implement regional
poverty-oriented
programmes/projects; and
 lay the foundations for a
new global partnership for
SADC to achieve the MDG
targets.




The conference will be held
from 18-20 April 2008 in Mauritius,
with the theme, “Regional
Economic Integration: A Strategy
for Poverty Eradication towards
Sustainable Development.”
The conference is expected to
develop consensus on a regional
poverty-reduction strategy and
produce an action plan to guide
the region on creating the conditions
necessary to eradicate
poverty and achieve the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).
Expected outputs from the
conference include increased
commitment towards achievement
of the MDGs; and development
of a Regional Poverty
Reduction Strategy Framework
based on SADC's Regional Indicative
Strategic Development
Plan (RISDP) and national
poverty reduction strategies.
The conference is expected to
produce a regional poverty reduction
monitoring and evaluation
framework, and to accelerate
collaboration by Member
States and ICPs in implementing
the RISDP and the Strategic
Indicative Plan of the Organ on
Defence, Politics and Security
Cooperation (SIPO).
It is intended to raise awareness
among ICPs of the efforts
being made in the SADC region
to eradicate poverty, and encourage
them to commit additional
resources for regional economic
reforms and the integration
agenda.
The decision to hold the conference
was taken at the Summit
of Heads of State and Government
in August 2006 in Maseru,
Lesotho, following a proposal by
Mauritius.
Poverty remains one of the
major challenges facing the
SADC region.
About 40 percent of the population
lives in abject poverty as
reflected by poor regional social
indicators such as high levels of
malnutrition, illiteracy, unemployment,
underemployment,
declining life expectancy and
unsatisfactory access to basic
services and infrastructure to
sustain basic human capacities.
In deciding to hold a conference
on poverty and development
in such a context, the
Maseru Summit reaffirmed that
SADC's main strategy for
poverty eradication is regional
economic integration.
The SADC Treaty (1992) asserts
that regional integration
will be pursued as a vehicle for
accelerating economic growth,
eradicating poverty and achieving
sustainable development.
The Maseru Summit further
noted that the RISDP accords top
priority to poverty eradication
and is the vehicle through which
the region can achieve the MDGs.
The RISDP is SADC's 15-year
development blueprint and has
a target to halve the proportion
of poverty in line with Goal 1 of
the MDGs, by 2015.
It is widely acknowledged
that the starting point for the
fight against poverty is the implementation
of economic policy reforms
geared to removing constraints
to business development
and deeper integration into the
regional and global economy.
This will enable higher levels
of trade and investment flows
leading to new income-generating
activities and higher economic
growth that will create
more resources for developing
social integration projects targeting
the poor.
Integration into the regional
and global economy will, however,
imply important transformations
in the national and social
structures.
It will be accompanied by
two major kinds of adjustment
costs: economic adjustment
costs as the production and
human resources adjust to new
demands, and social adjustment
costs as the economic transformation
is accompanied by
changing employment and income
distribution patterns that
may impact on vulnerable
groups.


title:
Angola's MPLA sweeps parliamentary elections

Abstract:
ANGOLA'S RULING party has
won 191 seats in the 220-member
Angolan parliament, according
to the final results of the legislative
elections held on 5-
September.

body:
ANGOLA'S RULING party has
won 191 seats in the 220-member
Angolan parliament, according
to the final results of the legislative
elections held on 5-
September.
The Angola National Electoral
Commission said the ruling Popular
Movement for the Liberation
of Angola (MPLA) won 81.64
percent of the votes with
5,266,216 million votes, while the
main opposition party, the National
Union for the Total Independence
of Angola
(Unita), garnered 10.39
percent of the votes representing
16 seats in the
national assembly.
The rest of the seats went to
the Social Renovation Party
(PRS) with eight representatives,
the Angola National Freedom
Front (FNLA) with three,
and the New Democratic Coalition
(NDC) with two.
In the previous legislature,
the ruling party controlled 129
seats against 70 for Unita and
six for PRS.
The SADC Electoral Observer
Mission (SEOM), like most
observer missions, gave the
Angola poll a favourable report.
In a preliminary statement,
SEOM congratulated the
"people of Angola for a peaceful,
free, transparent, credible, and professionally managed
elections which reflect the will
of the people."
The current parliament will
have a four-year life span, while
next year Angola will hold presidential
elections.
Angola last went to the polls
in 1992. The elections were,
however, aborted after the first
round of voting when Jonas
Savimbi, the late leader of
Unita, alleged that there had
been widespread vote rigging.
This led to the resumption
of what was already a protracted
civil war, which ended in
2002 following the death of
Savimbi.


Abstract:
A STEERING committee of
the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) met in late August
to assess progress in the
implementation of power
projects in the SADC region.

body:
A STEERING committee of
the Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP) met in late August
to assess progress in the
implementation of power
projects in the SADC region.
The meeting in Harare was
a follow-up to the mid-year
status report presented to the
28th SADC Heads of State and
Government Summit on 16-17
August.
The report had highlighted
that the electricity supply-demand
situation in the region
continues to be unstable and
warned that this is likely to impact
on the SADC regional integration
agenda, which depends
on the availability of energy
and infrastructure services.
In view of this, the SADC
Secretariat in conjunction with
the SAPP Coordinating Centre
established a review committee
that will closely monitor
the situation to ensure that
short-term rehabilitation and
generation projects are on
track to complement power
supply in the region.
"It was the first meeting of
the steering committee and it looked at the implementation
of power projects in the SADC
region," said SAPP Co-ordination
Centre Manager,
Lawrence Musaba. "We
looked at where we are, how
many projects have been implemented
and those that
have not been implemented
since 2005."
The committee attributed
the slow progress in energy
development to financial constraints
arising from low tariffs,
inappropriate national
policies and lack of political
will.
Musaba said the structure
of the electricity industry in
the region has a bearing on the
development of the sector in
some countries.
"In some countries, the private
sector is not allowed to
invest in the industry, making
it difficult to attract investment.
"National policy and political
will are some of the factors
that affect the implementation
of projects," he said.
The lack of a national and
regional policy has in particular
affected hydropower-generating
plants in Angola, Democratic
Republic of Congo
(DRC), Mozambique, United
Republic of Tanzania, Zambia
and Zimbabwe that have potential
to alleviate the electricity
shortages in the region.
The current challenge for
the region is to be able to meet
the ever-increasing power demand,
noting that the installed
capacity and the available
capacity are not increasing
at the same rate.
The installed capacity of
the SAPP as of April 2008 was
55,032MW while dependable
capacity is 47,000MW indicating
a deficit of about 8,000MW
without giving cognisance to
the requisite 10 percent reserve
margin.
A new generation plant
was commissioned in South
Africa (1,050MW) and another
plant that had been temporarily
put out of operation was
brought to service (2 x
190MW) at Camden.
In Swaziland, 20MW of
new plant was commissioned
in December 2007. In Angola 2x130MW units were commissioned
at Capanda in March
and July 2007, respectively.
Angola, Tanzania and
Malawi are still non-operating
members of SAPP meaning
that they are not yet connected
to the SAPP grid and thus do
not enjoy the benefits of energy
trading in the region.
SAPP was created with the
primary objective of providing
reliable and economical
electricity supply to consumers
consistent with reasonable
utilisation of natural
resources and the effect on the
environment.
In February this year, the
SADC Ministerial Taskforce
on the Implementation of
Power Sector Projects met in
Botswana and adopted a road
map to accelerate the region’s
recovery from the power
shortages emanating from
high demand.
The taskforce noted that an
enabling environment was indispensable
in accelerating
private sector participation
and additional investment in
the power sector.


title:
Four SADC countries sign up to new power interconnector project

Abstract:
FOUR SADC countries have
signed a memorandum of understanding
to develop an electricity
transmission interconnector,
which will result in an increase in
power trading among the participating
utilities.

body:
FOUR SADC countries have
signed a memorandum of understanding
to develop an electricity
transmission interconnector,
which will result in an increase in
power trading among the participating
utilities.
The project, which is called
Zizabona -- representing Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Botswana and
Namibia, the four participating
countries -- will provide an alternative
power transmission
route and help decongest the existing
central transmission corridor
that currently passes
through Zimbabwe.
The countries’ respective
utility companies will finance
parts of the project that fall
within their national boundaries.
These are the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), Zambia Electricity Supply
Company (ZESCO),
Botswana Power Corporation
(BPC) and Namibia Power
Company (NamPower).
The project will result in an
increase in electricity trade among the four participating
utilities, Musaba said.
"The central corridor has
been overloaded since the beginning
of this year resulting in
the SAPP grid operating as
three separate islands and so
the Zizabona interconnector
project will provide an alternative
transmission route that will
help decongest the existing central
transmission corridor
which passes through Zimbabwe."
The project came as a result
of recommendations made by
the Central Transmission Corridor
Company, established by SAPP Member States last year to
look at the problems of decongesting
the central transmission
corridor, as well as enhancing
infrastructure and transmission
capabilities in the region.
The project is to be implemented
in two phases. The first
phase is expected to be commissioned
by December 2009 and
the second in 2012.
The first phase of the project
has already begun and will
cover the construction of a 120-
km 330kV line from Hwange
Power Station to Victoria Falls
where a switching station will
be built on the Zimbabwe side.
The line will extend to a substation
at Livingstone in Zambia.
ZESA and ZESCO will finance
this first phase and the
two utilities have already established
a special purpose vehicle
for funding the project.
The second phase which will
be financed under a special company
to be called Zizabona Pvt
Ltd, and this will involve the construction
of a 300-km 330kV line
from Livingstone to Katima
Mulilo in Namibia, through Pandamatenga
in Botswana.
According to SAPP, utility
companies in participating
countries have already set up
working groups to prepare for
the start of the project, as they
will be responsible for financing
the project.
"Technical studies have already
been done and financial
and economic evaluation is already
in progress," Musaba said.
The Zimbabwe-Zambia interconnector
will be built as a high
voltage line with a transmission
capacity of 430kV. However, it
will operate as a 330kV line during
the first phase.
Musaba highlighted that the
project is going to come online
much faster than the WESTCOR
project because of the commitment
of the Member States involved.
The WESTCOR transmission
interconnector project, which
aims at transmitting 3500MW
from Inga 3 in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) to the
south has been on the cards for
more than a decade now and involves,
Angola, Botswana, DRC,
Namibia and South Africa.
The Zizabona project will
also make it possible for Nam-
Power to import power directly
from Hwange in Zimbabwe.
Currently electricity from the
Hwange Power Station is being
routed to Namibia through
South Africa until the NamPower's
Caprivi Link Interconnector
operational.
According to NamPower
spokesperson, John Kaimu, the
Zizabona project will be important
for Namibia because it will complete the link and create
corridor for power import and
export to the four countries.
"Zizabona will create the alternative
route that is very important
for power imports from
neighbouring countries," said
Kaimu.
Zizabona is expected to run
concurrently with the rehabilitation
of Hwange Power Station,
which began in 2007.
Southern Africa has seven
major transmission interconnector
projects, which are supposed
be commissioned by 2009
enable the smooth trading of additional
generating capacity,
which is expected to become
available by 2009.


title:
Namibia gets more electricity from Zimbabwe

Abstract:
THE POWER purchase agreement
signed between Namibia
and Zimbabwe continues to
bring more power to Namibia,
with 40 megawatts (MW) more
flowing in, an increase from
80MW to 120MW since August.
National power utility, Nam-
Power, confirmed that the
agreement is on course and that
Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), has since August
increased its export to
Namibia by 40MW from the
previous 80MW.

body:
THE POWER purchase agreement
signed between Namibia
and Zimbabwe continues to
bring more power to Namibia,
with 40 megawatts (MW) more
flowing in, an increase from
80MW to 120MW since August.
National power utility, Nam-
Power, confirmed that the
agreement is on course and that
Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA), has since August
increased its export to
Namibia by 40MW from the
previous 80MW.
Under the deal signed between
the two countries,
Namibia will receive 150MW
for a minimum of five years as
part of a power purchase
agreement with ZESA’s parent company, the Zimbabwe Electricity
and Transmission Company
(ZETCO).
The US$40 million paid by
Namibia would be used to refurbish
and expand Hwange
Power Station.
The four generators at
Hwange are capable of generating
a total of 480MW, but have
operated irregularly as the station
struggles to cope with frequent
equipment breakdowns
and coal shortages.
The first 40MW from ZESA
started flowing into Namibia on
3 January this year, with the additional
40MW being imported
from June and the latest by end
of August.
The remaining 30MW that
will fulfil the agreed quantity for a period of five years will
start flowing in before end of
year, NamPower said.
NamPower Corporate Affairs
and Marketing Manager,
John Kaimu, said the increase in
power supply from Zimbabwe
has come at the right time as
Namibia is experiencing a drop
the generation capacity from
dependable Ruacana Hydro-
Power Station.
Being a seasonal power station,
during September the generation
capacity of the station
goes down as the water level or
flow in the Kunene River also
drops.
During this period, Nam-
Power collects water in its dams
for hours before releasing it to
run the turbines.


title:
Angola to assume
OPEC presidency
in 2009

Abstract:
ANGOLA IS to chair the Organisation
of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) from 1 January
2009, Angolan oil minister,
Desidério Costa has said.

body:
ANGOLA IS to chair the Organisation
of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) from 1 January
2009, Angolan oil minister,
Desidério Costa has said.
"This is an announcement
that will help us plan our country’s
political and economic future
and it will also enable us to
do what we intend; that is establishing
Angola in its right
place," said Costa.
The Angolan oil minister
added that the news arrived at a
special moment for Angola, just
after the holding of a successful
parliamentary election on 5 September,
the first since the end of
the 27-year civil war in 2002.
Angola became a full OPEC
member during the organisation’s
143rd extraordinary meeting
held in December 2006 in
Nigeria.


Abstract:
ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY Supply
Company (ZESCO) has disconnected
the Zambia-Zimbabwe
power interconnector to protect
the local power system from
external disturbances following
the blackouts experienced in
early September.

body:
ZAMBIA ELECTRICITY Supply
Company (ZESCO) has disconnected
the Zambia-Zimbabwe
power interconnector to protect
the local power system from
external disturbances following
the blackouts experienced in
early September.
ZESCO acting Director for
Generation and Transmission,
Christopher Mubemba said that following the decision to discontinue
with the interconnector,
the company would also increase
load shedding in Zambia.
This is the second time
ZESCO is disconnecting from
Zimbabwe following similar
blackouts experienced early
year.
Mubemba said the disconnection
of the interconnector entailed
that Zambia was required
to carry the full power reserves
of about 150MW to avoid a nationwide
blackout and it was
this reason that the company
had to increase load shedding.
He explained that when interconnected
the required reserve
was half, as the remaining
came from the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) to cushion
times of an emergency.
SAPP Centre Co-ordination
Manager, Lawrence Musaba confirmed the disconnection
saying the move to temporarily
discontinue the interconnector
between the two countries was
aimed at facilitating investigations
to establish the exact cause
the problem.
SAPP explained that on 6
September, there were disturbances
which led to two turbines
at Kariba North Bank
power station tripping, resulting
in a loss of 360MW and a cut
power supply to Eastern,
Northern and parts of Southern
and Lusaka provinces.
On 7 September, there was
another system disturbance but
there was no loss of transmission
distribution lines or loads.
However, there was a loss of
generators at Kariba North Bank
and Victoria Falls. He said that
preliminary investigations indicate
that the power outage was
caused by system disturbances
external to the Zambian power
system.
Musaba said SAPP and
ZESCO would continue to monitor
the situation with the view
reconnecting with Zimbabwe
once the situation improved and
that a detailed review would be
carried out soon.
The disconnection comes
after the SAPP grid was restored
last month after spending the
last five months operating as
three separate islands owing to
technical faults on the main interconnectors.


title:
Mozambique woos investors for hydro energy production

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS invited
foreign investors to build hydropower
projects in 100 locations
with a total estimated hydroelectric
potential of up to
14,000 megawatts (MW), according
to the national director
New and Renewable Energy,
Antonio Saide.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE HAS invited
foreign investors to build hydropower
projects in 100 locations
with a total estimated hydroelectric
potential of up to
14,000 megawatts (MW), according
to the national director
New and Renewable Energy,
Antonio Saide.
The director highlighted
that vast hydro potential has
been identified in the central
provinces of Manica and Tete as well as the northernmost
province of Niassa.
"We have identified between
12,000MW and 14,000MW of hydroelectric
potential in 100 locations
in the provinces of Manica,
Tete and Niassa" We are inviting
foreign investors to come and
explore these areas," he said.
Mozambique produces
2,075MW of electricity, mainly at
its Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric
(HCB) plant in Tete province, which plans to increase output in
the next few years.
HCB, which suffered from
lack of investment, currently
provides 60 percent of its power
South Africa’s Eskom and 35
percent to Zimbabwe’s power
utility ZESA.
Saide said the mini-hydroelectric
projects offered solutions to
the problem of electricity supply,
which has not yet reached the
whole of Mozambique.


title:
Dump fossil fuels for renewables: Africa urged

Abstract:
RURAL AREAS on the continent
will remain without electricity for
long time to come due to political
underpinnings of the oil
multinationals and Bretton
Woods institutions, says an
African Development Bank 2008
report.

body:
RURAL AREAS on the continent
will remain without electricity for
long time to come due to political
underpinnings of the oil
multinationals and Bretton
Woods institutions, says an
African Development Bank 2008
report.
According to AfDB, oil companies
and the so-called Independent
Power Producers are at the
centre of some of the current energy
problems in the region.
The report argues that a year’s
worth of global fossil fuels subsidies
could comfortably pay off
Africa’s entire international debt
while a year’s worth of World
Bank’s spending on fossil fuel
projects, if redirected to smallscale
solar installations in Africa,
would provide 10 million people
with electricity.
AfDB says that less than 70
percent of the money that developed
countries use in subsidising
fossil fuels every year is enough
to electrify non-electrified Africa.
"The lack of access to reliable
and clean energy supplies is
major barrier to improving
human well-being around the
globe - there are an estimated
1.6 billion people living in the
rural areas of developing countries
who lack access to electricity
- but so is dependence on fossil
fuels," says the report.
The 36-page report cautions
that global warming is real and
poverty eradication coupled with
the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs)
will become hot air unless the
world changes its focus from fossil
fuels (mostly oil) to renewables.
"Relying on fossil fuels to promote
human development will
be ultimately self defeating in
economic terms because the economic
costs of global warming
are set to spiral and will affect the
poorest and most vulnerable
countries worst," the report
warns.
"Reliance by poor countries
on fossil fuels imports or fossil fuel industries leaves them vulnerable
to a range of problems
including economic shocks due
to price volatility, major health
problems from pollution, inefficiency
due to economic distortions
from fossil fuel subsidies,
and corruption and social instability
stemming from competition
for access to natural resources,"
it argues.
In Africa as in the most developing
countries the focus on
renewables has been largely
neglected and is less popularised.
Indeed clean energy alternatives,
such as biogas, solar
power, bagasse, geothermal and wind power are ignored especially,
"if you package a renewables
initiative around an environmental
aim."
According to Stephen
Karekezi, the director of African
Energy Policy Research Network
(AFREPREN), a Nairobibased
energy policy think tank,
you demonstrate how renewable
energy can help economic
development and address
poverty I think it will receive a
much more positive response."
In 2004 during the Bonn International
Conference for Renewable
Energies, it was observed
that, "Renewable energy flows are very large in comparison
with humankind’s use of
energy. Therefore, in principle,
all our energy needs, both now
and into the future, can be met
by energy from renewable
sources."


Abstract:
THE INCREASE in electricity
tariffs and soaring fuel prices
experienced in southern
Africa and beyond has compelled
many Namibians to rethink
their energy sources.

body:
THE INCREASE in electricity
tariffs and soaring fuel prices
experienced in southern
Africa and beyond has compelled
many Namibians to rethink
their energy sources.
"The Ministry of Mines and
Energy has embarked on a
five-year renewable energy
master plan, which started in
2005," Joseph Iitha, the ministry’s
permanent secretary
said recently.
Assisted by the United Nations
Development Programme,
the government is
increasing public awareness
on the use of solar energy and
biogas.
The government is running
a programme to remove the
barriers that still exist in promoting
the use of renewable
energy from the wind, the sun
and waste to produce biogas
for cooking and heating.
Solar cooking stoves are already
produced in northern Namibia through a government
initiative.
Solar water heating (SWH)
via electric geysers constitutes
the highest portion of electricity
generated from renewable
energy in Namibia.
The use of SWH will continue
to increase largely due to
the government directive in
August 2007.
A recent study on energy
efficiency in Namibia revealed
that 22 percent or
100MW of electricity used is
required to heat water geysers.
If this measure is implemented
it is estimated to reduce
the demand by about
52MW.
This means if a third of all
private houses would install
solar water geysers on their
roofs, the 52MW saved would
also reduce electricity imports
and save the country on foreign
currency


title:
Scientists propose solar tower to boost Namibia electricity

Abstract:
A HUGE solar energy tower
has been proposed to boost the
electricity grid in Namibia.

body:
A HUGE solar energy tower
has been proposed to boost the
electricity grid in Namibia.
At one-and-a-half kilometres
high and 280 metres wide -
bigger than two soccer fields
back-to-back -- the tower could
provide electricity for the
whole of the Namibian capital,
Windhoek.
But neither a date nor a site
for the proposed tower has
been confirmed, though it is expected
to be close to Windhoek,
says the ministry of energy in
Namibia.
The operation of a solar
tower involves heating air inside
a vast transparent tent,
several kilometres in diameter,
at the base of the tower.
This hot air rises inside a tall
concrete chimney, driving
wind turbines linked to generators.
The tent can also be used to
grow crops.
The proposed tower is about
three times larger than anything
similar on earth and
though its running costs would
be low, construction would cost
at least US$900 million.
The solar chimney power
plants can also produce power
at night. The water used for
crops is heated during sunny
weather and this heat is released
back into the air during
the night or during cloudy
weather to keep the turbines
going. No extra water is required
-- an important issue for
a desert country such as
Namibia.


title:
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ZIMBABWE AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION-PATRIOTIC

FRONT (ZANU-PF) AND THE TWO MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC)

FORMATIONS, ON RESOLVING THE CHALLENGES FACING ZIMBABWE

Abstract:
We, the Parties to this Agreement;


CONCERNED about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.

body:
PREAMBLE

We, the Parties to this Agreement;


CONCERNED about the recent challenges that we have faced as a country and the multiple threats to the well-being of our people and, therefore, determined to resolve these permanently.


CONSIDERING our shared determination to uphold, defend and sustain Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, as a respected member of the international community, a nation where all citizens respect and, therefore, enjoy equal protection of the law and have equal opportunity to compete and prosper in all spheres of life.


ACKNOWLEDGING the sacrifices made by thousands of Zimbabwe’s gallant sons and daughters in the fight against colonialism and racial discrimination and deter mined to accept, cherish and recognise the significance of the Liberation Struggle as the foundation of our sovereign independence, freedoms and human rights.


DEDICATING ourselves to putting an end to the polarisation, divisions, conflict and intolerance that has characterised Zimbabwean politics and society in recent times.


COMMITTING ourselves to putting our people and our country first by arresting the fall in living standards and reversing the decline of our economy.


EMPHASISING our shared commitment to re-orient our attitudes towards respect for the Constitution and all national laws, the rule of law, observance of Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols and national events.


RESPECTING the rights of all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events freely without let or hindrance.


RECOGNISING, accepting and acknowledging that the values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, non-discrimination and respect of all persons without regard to race, class, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, place of origin or birth are the bedrock of our democracy and good governance.


DETERMINED to build a society free of violence, fear, intimidation, hatred, patronage, corruption and founded on justice, fairness, openness, transparency, dignity and equality.


RECOGNISING and accepting that the Land Question has been at the core of the contestation in Zimbabwe and acknowledging the centrality of issues relating to the rule of law , respect for human rights, democracy and governance.


COMMITTED to act in a manner that demonstrates loyalty to Zimbabwe, patriotism and commitment to Zimbabwe’s national purpose, core values, interests and aspirations.


DETERMINED to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the democratic values of justice, fairness, openness, tolerance, equality, respect of all persons and human rights.


SUBMITTING ourselves to the mandate of the Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 29th March 2007 and endorsed in Lusaka on 12th April 2008 and in the AU Summit held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt from 30th June to 1 July 2008.


RECOGNISING the centrality and importance of African institutions in dealing with African problems, we agreed to seek solutions to our differences, challenges and problems through dialogue.


ACKNOWLEDGING that pursuant to the Dar es Salaam SADC resolution, the Parties negotiated and agreed on a draft Constitution, initialled by the Parties on 30 September 2007, and further agreed and co-sponsored the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 18 Act, amendments to the Electoral Act, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Act, Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Broadcasting Services Act.


APPRECIATING the historical obligation and need to reach a solution that will allow us to put Zimbabwe first and give the people a genuine chance of rebuilding and reconstructing their livelihoods.


PURSUANT to the common desire of working together, the Parties agreed to and executed a Memorandum of Understanding on 21 July 2008, attached hereto as Annexure "A".



NOW THEREFORE AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

1. Definitions


The "Agreement" shall mean this written Agreement signed by the representatives of ZANU-PF and the MDC, in its two formations ("the Parties") in fulfilment of the material mandate handed down by the SADC Extraordinary Summit on 29th March 2007 and endorsed by SADC in Lusaka, Zambia and adopted by the African Union Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

The "Parties" shall mean ZANU-PF, the two MDC formations led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara respectively.

The "Government" or "New Government" means the new Government to be set up in terms of this Agreement.


ARTICLE II


DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT


2. Declaration of Commitment


The Parties hereby declare and agree to work together to create a genuine, viable, permanent, sustainable and nationally acceptable solution to the Zimbabwe situation and in particular to implement the following agreement with the aims of resolving once and for all the current political and economic situations and charting a new political direction for the country.



ARTICLE III


RESTORATION OF ECONOMIC STABILITY AND GROWTH


3. Economic recovery


3.1 The Parties agree:


(a) to give priority to the restoration of economic stability and growth in Zimbabwe. The Government will lead the process of developing and implementing an economic recovery strategy and plan. To that end, the parties are committed to working together on a full and comprehensive economic programme to resuscitate Zimbabwe’s economy, which will urgently address the issues of production, food security, poverty and unemployment and the challenges of high inflation, interest rates and the exchange rate.


(b) to create conditions that would ensure that the 2008/2009 agricultural season is productive.


(c) to establish a National Economic Council, composed of representatives of the Parties and of the following sectors:


(i) Manufacturing; (ii) Agriculture; (iii) Mining; (iv) Tourism; (v) Commerce; (vi) Financial;

(vii) Labour; (viii) Academia; and (ix) Other relevant sectors.


(d) that the terms of reference of the Council shall include giving advice to Government, formulating economic plans and programmes for approval by government and such other functions as are assigned to the Council by the Government.


(e) to endorse the SADC resolution on the economy.



ARTICLE IV


SANCTIONS AND MEASURES


4. Sanctions and Measures


4.1 Recognising and acknowledging that some sections of the international community have since 2000 imposed various sanctions and measures against Zimbabwe, which have included targeted sanctions.


4.2 The Parties note the present economic and political isolation of Zimbabwe by the United

Kingdom, European Union, United States of America and other sections of the International Community over and around issues of disputed elections, governance and differences over the land reform programme.


4.3 Noting and acknowledging the following sanctions and measures imposed on Zimbabwe:-


(a) enactment of the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act by the United States of America Congress which outlaws Zimbabwe’s right to access credit from International Financial Institutions in which the United States Government is represented or has a stake;


(b) suspension of Zimbabwe’s voting and related rights, suspension of balance of payment support, declaration of ineligibility to borrow Fund resources and suspension of technical assistance to Zimbabwe by the International Monetary Fund;


(c) suspension of grants and infrastructural development support to Zimbabwe by The World Bank; and


(d) imposition of targeted travel bans against current Government and some business leaders.


4.4 Noting that this international isolation has over the years created a negative international perception of Zimbabw e and thereby resulting in the further isolation of the country by the non-availing of lines of credit to Zimbabw e by some sections of the international community.


4.5 Recognising the consequent contribution of this isolation to the further decline of the

economy.


4.6 Desirous and committed to bringing to an end the fall in the standards of living of our

people, the Parties hereby agree:-


(a) to endorse the SADC resolution on sanctions concerning Zimbabwe;


(b) that all forms of measures and sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted in order to facilitate a sustainable solution to the challenges that are currently facing Zimbabwe; and


(c) commit themselves to working together in re-engaging the international community with a view to bringing to an end the country’s international isolation.



ARTICLE V


LAND QUESTION


5. Land Question


5.1 Recognising that colonial racist land ownership patterns established during the colonial conquest of Zimbabwe and largely maintained in the post independence period were not only unsustainable, but against the national interest, equity and justice.


5.2 Noting that in addition to the primary objective of the liberation struggle to win one man one vote democracy and justice, the land question, namely the need for the redistribution of land to the majority indigenous people of Zimbabwe was at the core of the liberation struggle.


5.3 Accepting the inevitability and desirability of a comprehensive land reform programme in Zimbabwe that redresses the issues of historical imbalances and injustices in order to address the issues of equity, productivity, and justice.


5.4 While differing on the methodology of acquisition and redistribution the parties acknowledge that compulsory acquisition and redistribution of land has taken place under a land reform programme undertaken since 2000.


5.5 Accepting the irreversibility of the said land acquisitions and redistribution.


5.6 Noting that in the current Constitution of Zimbabwe and further in the Draft Constitution agreed to by the parties the primary obligation of compensating former land owners for land acquired rests on the former colonial power.


5.7 Further recognising the need to ensure that all land is used productively in the interests of all the people of Zimbabwe.


5.8 Recognising the need for w omen’s access and control over land in their own right as equal citizens.


5.9 The Parties hereby agree to:


(a) conduct a comprehensive, transparent and non-partisan land audit, during the tenure of the Seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe, for the purpose of establishing accountability and eliminating multiple farm ownerships.


(b) ensure that all Zimbabweans w ho are eligible to be allocated land and who apply for it shall be considered for allocation of land irrespective of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation;


(c) ensure security of tenure to all land holders;


(d) call upon the United Kingdom government to accept the primary responsibility to pay compensation for land acquired from former land owners for resettlement;


(e) work together to secure international support and finance for the land reform programme in terms of compensation for the former land owners and support for new farmers; and


(f) work together for the restoration of full productivity on all agricultural land.



ARTICLE VI


CONSTITUTION


6. Constitution


Acknowledging that it is the fundamental right and duty of the Zimbabwean people to make a

constitution by themselves and for themselves;


Aware that the process of making this constitution must be owned and driven by the people and

must be inclusive and democratic;


Recognising that the current Constitution of Zimbabwe made at the Lancaster House Conference, London (1979) w as primarily to transfer power from the colonial authority to the

people of Zimbabwe;


Acknowledging the draft Constitution that the Parties signed and agreed to in Kariba on the

30th of September 2007, annexed hereto as Annexure "B";


Determined to create conditions for our people to write a constitution for themselves; and


Mindful of the need to ensure that the new Constitution deepens our democratic values and

principles and the protection of the equality of all citizens, particularly the enhancement of full

citizenship and equality of women.


6.1 The Parties hereby agree:


 that they shall set up a Select Committee of Parliament composed of representatives of the Parties whose terms of reference shall be as follows:


 to set up such subcommittees chaired by a member of Parliament and composed of members of Parliament and representatives of Civil Society as may be necessary to assist the Select Committee in performing its mandate herein;

 to hold such public hearings and such consultations as it may deem necessary in the process of public consultation over the making of a new constitution for Zimbabwe;

 to convene an All Stakeholders Conference to consult stakeholders on their representation in the sub-committees referred to above and such related matters as may assist the committee in its work;

 to table its draft Constitution to a 2nd All Stakeholders Conference; and

 to report to Parliament on its recommendations over the content of a New Constitution for Zimbabwe.



that the draft Constitution recommended by the Select Committee shall be submitted to a referendum;

 that, in implementing the above, the following time frames shall apply:

 the Select Committee shall be set up within two months of inception of a new government;

 the convening of the first All Stakeholders Conference shall be within 3 months of the date of the appointment of the Select Committee;

 the public consultation process shall be completed no later than 4 months of the date of the first All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution shall be tabled within 3 months of completion of the public consultation process to a second All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution and the accompanying Report shall be tabled before Parliament within 1 month of the second All Stakeholders Conference;

 the draft Constitution and the accompanying Report shall be debated in Parliament and the debate concluded within one month;

 the draft Constitution emerging from Parliament shall be gazetted before the holding of a referendum;

 a referendum on the new draft Constitution shall be held within 3 months of the conclusion of the debate;

 in the event of the draft Constitution being approved in the referendum it shall be gazetted within 1 month of the date of the referendum; and

 the draft Constitution shall be introduced in Parliament no later than 1 month after the expiration of the period of 30 days from the date of its gazetting.





ARTICLE VII


PROMOTION OF EQUALITY, NATIONAL HEALING, COHESION AND UNITY


7. Equality, National Healing, Cohesion and Unity


7.1 The Parties hereby agree that the new Government:


 will ensure equal treatment of all regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin and will work towards equal access to development for all;

 will ensure equal and fair development of all regions of the country and in particular to correct historical imbalances in the development of regions;

 shall give consideration to the setting up of a mechanism to properly advise on what measures might be necessary and practicable to achieve national healing, cohesion and unity in respect of victims of pre and post independence political conflicts; and

 will strive to create an environment of tolerance and respect among Zimbabweans and that all citizens are treated with dignity and decency irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, place of origin or political affiliation.

 will formulate policies and put measures in place to attract the return and repatriation of all Zimbabweans in the Diaspora and in particular w ill work towards the return of all skilled personnel.




ARTICLE VIII


RESPECT FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND EVENTS


8. Respect for National Institutions and Events


8.1 In the interests of forging a common vision for our country, the Parties hereby agree:-


(a) on the necessity of all Zimbabweans regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion to respect and observe Zimbabwe’s national institutions, symbols, national programmes and events; and

(b) that all Zimbabweans regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion have the right to benefit from and participate in all national programmes and events without let or hindrance.


ARTICLE IX


EXTERNAL INTERFERENCE


9. External Interference


9.1 The Parties reaffirm the principle of the United Nations Charter on non-interference in the internal affairs of member countries.


9.2 The Parties hereby agree:-


(a) that the responsibility of effecting change of government in Zimbabwe vests exclusively on and is the sole prerogative of the people of Zimbabwe through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means;


(b) to reject any unlawful, violent, undemocratic and unconstitutional means of changing governments; and


(c) that no outsiders have a right to call or campaign for regime change in Zimbabwe.



ARTICLE X


FREE POLITICAL ACTIVITY


10. Free political activity


Recognising that the right to canvass and freely mobilise for political support is the cornerstone

of any multi-party democratic system, the Parties have agreed that there should be free political

activity throughout Zimbabwe within the ambit of the law in which all political parties are able to

propagate their views and canvass for support, free of harassment and intimidation.



ARTICLE XI


RULE OF LAW, RESPECT FOR THE CONSTITUTION AND OTHER LAWS


11. Rule of law, respect for the Constitution and other laws


11.1 The Parties hereby agree that it is the duty of all political parties and individuals to:


(a) respect and uphold the Constitution and other laws of the land;


(b) adhere to the principles of the Rule of Law.



ARTICLE XII


FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION


12. Freedoms of Assembly and Association


12.1 Recognising the importance of the freedoms of assembly and association in a multiparty democracy and noting that public meetings have to be conducted in a free, peaceful and democratic manner in accordance with the law , the Parties have agreed:-


(a) to work together in a manner which guarantees the full implementation and realisation of the right to freedom of association and assembly; and


(b) that the Government shall undertake training programmes, workshops and meetings for the police and other enforcement agencies directed at the appreciation of the right of freedom of assembly and association and the proper interpretation, understanding and application of the provisions of security legislation.



ARTICLE XIII


STATE ORGANS AND INSTITUTIONS


13. State organs and institutions


13.1 State organs and institutions do not belong to any political party and should be impartial

in the discharge of their duties.


13.2 For the purposes of ensuring that all state organs and institutions perform their duties ethically and professionally in conformity with the principles and requirements of a multiparty

democratic system in which all parties are treated equally, the Parties have agreed that the following steps be taken:-


(a) that there be inclusion in the training curriculum of members of the uniformed forces of the subjects on human rights, international humanitarian law and statute law so that there is greater understanding and full appreciation of their roles and duties in a multi-party democratic system;


(b) ensuring that all state organs and institutions strictly observe the principles of the Rule of Law and remain non-partisan and impartial;


(c) laws and regulations governing state organs and institutions are strictly adhered to and those violating them be penalised without fear or favour; and


(d) recruitment policies and practices be conducted in a manner that ensures that no political or other form of favouritism is practised.



ARTICLE XIV


TRADITIONAL LEADERS


14. Traditional Leaders


14.1 Recognising and acknowledging that traditional leaders are community leaders with equal responsibilities and obligations to all members of their communities regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion and political affiliation, the Parties hereby agree to:-


(a) commit themselves to ensuring the political neutrality of traditional leaders; and


(b) call upon traditional leaders not to engage in partisan political activities at national level as well as in their communities.



ARTICLE XV


NATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME


15. National Youth Training Programme


Recognising the desirability of a national youth training programme which inculcates the values of patriotism, discipline, tolerance, non-violence, openness, democracy, equality, justice and respect.


Determined to ensure that the National Youth Training Programme raises awareness of the

HIV and AIDS pandemic, engenders a spirit of community service, skills development and a

commitment to the development of Zimbabwe


15.1 The Parties hereby agree that:-


(a) all youths regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and political affiliation are eligible to participate in national youth training programmes;


(b) the National Youth Training Programme must be run in a non-partisan manner and shall not include partisan political material advancing the cause of any political party; and


(c) while recognising that youths undergoing training at national youth training centres have a right to hold political opinions, they shall not, during the period of their training, collectively and as part of a scheme of the training centre be used or deployed for partisan political work.



ARTICLE XVI


HUMANITARIAN AND FOOD ASSISTANCE


16. Humanitarian and food assistance


16.1 In times of need, every Zimbabwean regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion is entitled to request and receive humanitarian and food assistance from the State.


16.2 It is the primary responsibility of the State to ensure that every Zimbabwean who needs

humanitarian and food assistance receives it.


16.3 Non-Governmental Organisations involved in giving humanitarian and food assistance shall do so without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion and in doing so, shall not promote or advance the interests of any political party or cause.


16.4 In this regard the Parties hereby agree:


(a) that in the fulfilment of its obligations above, the Government and all State Institutions and quasi State Institutions shall render humanitarian and food assistance without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation or religion;


(b) that humanitarian interventions rendered by Non-Governmental Organisations, shall be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation and religion.


(c) that all displaced persons shall be entitled to humanitarian and food assistance to enable them to return and settle in their original homes and that social welfare organisations shall be allowed to render such assistance as might be required.


(d) that all NGO`s rendering humanitarian and food assistance must operate within the confines of the laws of Zimbabwe.



ARTICLE XVII


LEGISLATIVE AGENDA PRIORITIES


17. Legislative agenda


17.1 The Parties hereby agree that:


(a) the legislative agenda will be prioritised in order to reflect the letter and spirit of this agreement;

(b) the Government will discuss and agree on further legislative measures which may become necessary to implement the Government’s agreed policies and in particular, with a view to entrenching democratic values and practices.



ARTICLE XVIII


SECURITY OF PERSONS AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE


18. Security of persons and prevention of violence


18.1 Noting the easy resort to violence by political parties, State actors, Non-State actors and

others in order to resolve political differences and achieve political ends.


18.2 Gravely concerned by the displacement of scores of people after the election of March

29, 2008 as a result of politically motivated violence.


18.3 Recognising that violence dehumanises and engenders feelings of hatred and polarisation within the country.


18.4 Further recognising that violence undermines our collective independence as a people and our capacity to exercise our free will in making political choices.


18.5 The Parties hereby agree:


(a) to promote the values and practices of tolerance, respect, non-violence and dialogue as means of resolving political differences;


(b) to renounce and desist from the promotion and use of violence, under whatever name called, as a means of attaining political ends;


(c) that the Government shall apply the laws of the country fully and impartially in bringing all perpetrators of politically motivated violence to book;


(d) that all political parties, other organisations and their leaders shall commit themselves to do everything to stop and prevent all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors and shall consistently appeal to their members to desist from violence;


(e) to take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions they control are not engaged in the perpetration of violence.


(f) that all civil society organisations of whatever description whether affiliated to a political party or not shall not promote or advocate for or use violence or any other form of intimidation or coercion to canvass or mobilise for or oppose any political party or to achieve any political end;


(g) to work together to ensure the security of all persons and property;


(h) to work together to ensure the safety of any displaced persons, their safe return home and their enjoyment of the full protection of the law.


(i) to refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or unfairly undermine each other.


(j) that while having due regard to the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the principles of the rule of law , the prosecuting authorities will expedite the determination as to whether or not there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution or keeping on remand of all persons accused of politically related offences arising out of or connected with the March and June 2008 elections.


ARTICLE XIX


FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION


19. Freedom of Expression and Communication


Recognising the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy.


Noting that while the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act permit the issuance of licences, no licences other than to the public broadcaster have been issued.


Aware of the emergence of foreign-based radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe, some of which are funded by foreign governments.


Concerned that the failure to issue licences under the Broadcasting Services Act to alternative broadcasters might have given rise to external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe.


Further concerned that foreign government funded external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe are not in Zimbabwe’s national interest.


Desirous of ensuring the opening up of the airwaves and ensuring the operation of as many media houses as possible.


19.1 The Parties hereby agree:-


(a) that the government shall ensure the immediate processing by the appropriate authorities of all applications for re-registration and registration in terms of both the Broadcasting Services Act as well as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act;


(b) all Zimbabwean nationals including those currently working for or running external radio stations be encouraged to make applications for broadcasting licences, in Zimbabwe, in terms of the law;


(c) that in recognition of the open media environment anticipated by this Agreement, the Parties hereby:-


call upon the governments that are hosting and/or funding external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabw e to cease such hosting and funding;

and

 encourage the Zimbabweans running or working for external radio stations broadcasting into Zimbabwe to return to Zimbabwe; and



(d) that steps be taken to ensure that the public media provides balanced and fair coverage to all political parties for their legitimate political activities.


(e) that the public and private media shall refrain from using abusive language that may incite hostility, political intolerance and ethnic hatred or that unfairly undermines political parties and other organisations. To this end, the inclusive government shall ensure that appropriate measures are taken to achieve this objective.


ARTICLE XX


FRAMEWORK FOR A NEW GOVERNMENT


20. Framework for a new Government


Acknowledging that we have an obligation to establish a framework of working together in an

inclusive government;


Accepting that the formation of such a government will have to be approached with great

sensitivity, flexibility and willingness to compromise;


Recognising that the formation of such a Government would demonstrate the respect of the Parties for the deeply felt and immediate hopes and aspirations of the millions of our people.


Determined to carry out sustained work to create the conditions for returning our country to

stability and prosperity;


Acknowledging the need for gender parity, particularly the need to appoint women to strategic

Cabinet posts;


20.1 The Parties hereby agree that:


20.1.1 Executive Powers and Authority


The Executive Authority of the Inclusive Government shall vest in, and be shared among the


President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, as provided for in this Constitution and legislation.


The President of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution and

the law.


The Prime Minister of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution

and the law.


The Cabinet of the Republic shall exercise executive authority subject to the Constitution and

the law.


In the exercise of executive authority, the President, Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister, the

Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers must have regard to the principles and

spirit underlying the formation of the Inclusive Government and accordingly act in a manner that

seeks to promote cohesion both inside and outside government.

20.1.2 The Cabinet


(a) shall have the responsibility to evaluate and adopt all government policies and the consequential programmes;


(b) shall, subject to approval by Parliament, allocate the financial resources for the implementation of such policies and programmes;


(c) shall have the responsibility to prepare and present to Parliament, all such legislation and other instruments as may be necessary to implement the policies and programmes of the National Executive;


(d) shall, except w here the Constitution requires ratification by Parliament, or action by the

President, approve all international agreements;


(e) shall ensure that the state organs, including the Ministries and Departments, have sufficient financial and other resources and appropriate operational capacity to carry out their functions effectively; and


(f) shall take decisions by consensus, and take collective responsibility for all Cabinet decisions, including those originally initiated individually by any member of Cabinet.


(g) The President and the Prime Minister w ill agree on the allocation of Ministries between

them for the purpose of day-to-day supervision.


20.1.3 The President


(a) chairs Cabinet;


(b) exercises executive authority;


(c) shall exercise his/her powers subject to the provisions of the Constitution;


(d) can, subject to the Constitution, declare war and make peace;


(e) can, subject to the Constitution, proclaim and terminate martial law ;


(f) confers honours and precedence, on the advice of Cabinet;


(g) grants pardons, respites, substitutes less severe punishment and suspends or remits sentences, on the advice of Cabinet;


(h) chairs the National Security Council;


(i) formally appoints the Vice Presidents;


(j) shall, pursuant to this Agreement, appoint the Prime Minister pending the enactment of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment no.19 as agreed by the Parties;


(k) formally appoints Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Deputy Ministers in accordance with this agreement;


(l) after consultation with the Vice Presidents, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers, allocates Ministerial portfolios in accordance with this Agreement;


(m) accredits, receives and recognizes diplomatic agents and consular officers;


(n) appoints independent Constitutional Commissions in terms of the Constitution;


(o) appoints service/executive Commissions in terms of the Constitution and in consultation with the Prime Minister;


(p) in consultation with the Prime Minister, makes key appointments the President is required to make under and in terms of the Constitution or any Act of Parliament;


(q) may, acting in consultation with the Prime Minister, dissolve Parliament;


(r) must be kept fully informed by the Prime Minister on the general conduct of the government business and;


(s) shall be furnished with such information as he/she may request in respect of any particular matter relating to the government, and may advise the Prime Minister and Cabinet in this regard.


20.1.4 The Prime Minister


(a) chairs the Council of Ministers and is the Deputy Chairperson of Cabinet;


(b) exercises executive authority;


(c) shall oversee the formulation of government policies by the Cabinet;


(d) shall ensure that the policies so formulated are implemented by the entirety of government;


(e) shall ensure that the Ministers develop appropriate implementation plans to give effect to the policies decided by Cabinet: in this regard, the Ministers w ill report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans;


(f) shall ensure that the legislation necessary to enable the government to carry out its functions is in place: in this regard, he/she shall have the responsibility to discharge the functions of the Leader of Government Business in Parliament;


(g) shall be a member of the National Security Council;


(h) may be assigned such additional functions as are necessary further to enhance the work of the Inclusive Government;


(i) shall, to ensure the effective execution of these tasks, be assisted by Deputy Prime Ministers; and


(j) shall report regularly to the President and Parliament.


20.1.5 Council of Ministers


To ensure that the Prime Minister properly discharges his responsibility to oversee the

implementation of the work of government, there shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of all

the Cabinet Ministers, chaired by the Prime Minister, whose functions shall be:


(a) to assess the implementation of Cabinet decisions;


(b) to assist the Prime Minister to attend to matters of coordination in the government;


(c) to enable the Prime Minister to receive briefings from the Cabinet Committees;


(d) to make progress reports to Cabinet on matters of implementation of Cabinet decisions;


(e) to receive and consider reports from the Committee responsible for the periodic review

mechanism; and


(f) to make progress reports to Cabinet on matters related to the periodic review mechanism.


20.1.6 Composition of the Executive


(1) There shall be a President, which Office shall continue to be occupied by President Robert Gabriel Mugabe.


(2) There shall be two (2) Vice Presidents, who will be nominated by the President and/or

Zanu-PF.


(3) There shall be a Prime Minister, which Office shall be occupied by Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.


(4) There shall be two (2) Deputy Prime Ministers, one (1) from MDC-T and one (1) from the MDC-M.


(5) There shall be thirty-one (31) Ministers, with fifteen (15) nominated by ZANU PF, thirteen (13) by MDC-T and three (3) by MDC-M. Of the 31 Ministers, three (3) one each per Party, may be appointed from outside the members of Parliament. The three (3) Ministers so appointed shall become members of the House of Assembly and shall have the right to sit, speak and debate in Parliament, but shall not be entitled to vote.


(6) There shall be fifteen (15) Deputy Ministers, with (eight) 8 nominated by ZANU PF, six (6) by MDC-T and one (1) by MDC-M.


(7) Ministers and Deputy Ministers may be relieved of their duties only after consultation among the leaders of all the political parties participating in the Inclusive Government.


20.1.7 Senate


(a) The President shall, in his discretion, appoint five (5) persons to the existing positions of

Presidential senatorial appointments.


(b) There shall be created an additional nine (9) appointed senatorial posts, which shall be filled by persons appointed by the President, of whom, 3 w ill be nominated by ZANU-PF, 3 by MDC-T and 3 by MDC-M.


20.1.8 Filling of vacancies


(a) In the event of any vacancy arising in respect of posts referred to in clauses 20.1.6 and 20.1.7(b) above, such vacancy shall be filled by a nominee of the Party which held that position prior to the vacancy arising.



ARTICLE XXI


ELECTORAL VACANCIES


21. Electoral Vacancies


Aware of the divisive and often times confrontational nature of elections and by elections;


Noting the need to allow this agreement to take root amongst the parties and people of Zimbabwe; and


Cognisant of the need to give our people some breathing space and a healing period;


21.1 The Parties hereby agree that for a period of 12 months from the date of signing of this

agreement, should any electoral vacancy arise in respect of a local authority or parliamentary seat, for whatever reason, only the party holding that seat prior to the vacancy occurring shall be entitled to nominate and field a candidate to fill the seat subject to that party complying with the rules governing its internal democracy.



ARTICLE XXII


IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS


22. Implementation mechanisms


22.1 To ensure full and proper implementation of the letter and spirit of this Agreement, the Parties hereby constitute a Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee ("JOMIC") to be composed of four senior members from ZANU-PF and four senior members from each of the two MDC Formations. Gender consideration must be taken into account in relation to the composition of JOMIC.


22.2 The committee shall be co-chaired by persons from the Parties.


22.3 The committee shall have the following functions:-


(a) to ensure the implementation in letter and spirit of this Agreement;


(b) to assess the implementation of this Agreement from time to time and consider steps which might need to be taken to ensure the speedy and full implementation of this Agreement in its entirety;


(c) to receive reports and complaints in respect of any issue related to the implementation, enforcement and execution of this Agreement;


(d) to serve as catalyst in creating and promoting an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding between the parties; and


(e) to promote continuing dialogue between the Parties.


22.4 JOMIC shall be the principal body dealing with the issues of compliance and monitoring

of this Agreement and to that end, the Parties hereby undertake to channel all complaints, grievances, concerns and issues relating to compliance with this Agreement through JOMIC and to refrain from any conduct which might undermine the spirit of cooperation necessary for the fulfilment of this Agreement.


22.5 The new Government shall ensure that steps are taken to make the security forces

conversant with the Constitution of Zimbabwe and other laws of Zimbabwe including laws relating to public order and security.


22.6 The implementation of this agreement shall be guaranteed and underwritten by the Facilitator, SADC and the AU.


22.7 The Parties and the new Government shall seek the support and assistance of SADC and the AU in mobilizing the international community to support the new Government’s economic recovery plans and programmes together with the lifting of sanctions taken against Zimbabwe and some of its leaders.


22.8 The Parties agree that they shall cause Parliament to amend any legislation to the extent

necessary to bring this agreement into full force.



ARTICLE XXIII


PERIODIC REVIEW MECHANISM


23. Periodic review mechanism


23.1 Having regard to the Objectives and Priorities of the New Government as set out in this

Agreement, the Parties hereby agree that:


(a) they shall constitute a committee composed of 2 representatives each to review on an annual basis progress on the implementation and achievement of the priorities and objectives set out in this Agreement, namely: Economic (restoration of economic stability and grow th, sanctions, land question) Political (new constitution, promotion of equality, national healing and cohesion and unity, external interference, free political activity, rule of law , state organs and institutions, legislative agenda and priorities) Security (security of persons and prevention of violence) and Communication (media and external radio stations); and


(b) the committee shall make recommendations to the Parties and the new government on any matters relating to this Agreement, more particularly on measures and programmes that may be necessary to take and make to realise full implementation of this Agreement.


(c) this Agreement and the relationship agreed to hereunder will be reviewed at the conclusion of the constitution-making process.


23.2 The Parties w ill continually review the effectiveness and any other matter relating to the

functioning of the Inclusive Government established by the Constitution in consultation with the Guarantors.



ARTICLE XXIV


INTERIM CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS


24. Interim Constitutional amendments


The Parties hereby agree:


24.1 that the constitutional amendments which are necessary for the implementation of this

agreement shall be passed by parliament and assented to by the President as Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act No 19. The Parties undertake to unconditionally support the enactment of the said Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No 19;


24.2 to include in Constitutional Amendment No19 the provisions contained in Chapters 4 and

13, and section 121 of the draft Constitution that the Parties executed at Kariba on 30 September 2007 (Kariba draft).



ARTICLE XXV


COMMENCEMENT


25. Commencement


This Agreement shall enter into force upon its signature by the Parties.


In WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have signed this Agreement in the English language, in six

identical copies, all texts being equally authentic:


DONE AT HARARE, ON THIS............. DAY OF ................................. 2008

________________________


ROBERT G MUGABE

PRESIDENT, ZANU-PF

________________________


MORGAN R TSVANGIRAI


PRESIDENT, MDC

________________________


ARTHUR G O MUTAMBARA


PRESIDENT, MDC


In WITNESS THEREOF the Facilitator:

________________________


THABO MBEKI


SADC FACILITATOR


End


-----------------------------------------



Source: Government of South Africa Website


title:
Julius Nyerere: He
"carried the torch that
liberated Africa"

Abstract:
ON 22 October 1959, almost 50 years ago, when most of Africa
was still under colonial rule, a visionary young African leader
made a commitment on behalf of his people:

body:
ON 22 October 1959, almost 50 years ago, when most of Africa
was still under colonial rule, a visionary young African leader
made a commitment on behalf of his people:
"We, the people of Tanganyika, would like to light a candle
and put it on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro which would shine beyond our
borders giving hope where there was despair, love where there was hate,
and dignity where there was before only humiliation."
This was the commitment by Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere
when he addressed the Tanganyika Legislative Assembly, before independence,
in a speech that came to be known as "A Candle on Kilimanjaro".
When Nyerere made that speech, almost
all of Africa was still under colonial
rule, except for nine countries
(Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea,
Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Sudan and
Tunisia).
Today there are 54 independent
countries in Africa.
Political pressure for independence
had begun and the "wind of change"
was gathering strength, but most of the
southern African political parties and
liberation movements that later fought
and won majority rule were still banned or had not yet been constituted.
True to his principles and his vision, it was said when he died 40 years later on
14 October 1999, that he "carried the torch that liberated Africa". That day is commemorated
in Tanzania as Mwalimu Nyerere Day, which marks the climax of the
Uhuru Torch Race.
Those who spoke at his funeral echoed the themes of Mwalimu's commitment
and legacy of integrity, unity, dignity and equality.
"He is our father, and we are his children," said Joaquim Chissano, then President
of Mozambique and Chairperson of SADC, thanking the Tanzanian people led
by Mwalimu for what they did to liberate southern Africa.

THE UHURU Torch was first lit
on top of Mt Kilimanjaro
(5,890m) on 9 December 1961 by
Alex Nyirenda when he planted
the flag on Tanganyika's independence
day, symbolically to
shine over the country and
across borders. The Uhuru
Torch is one of the national symbols
of Tanzania. It is a kerosene
torch that symbolizes freedom, hope and development. At Butiama, Nyerere's birthplace
and his final resting place, a rock kopje next to his house
holds a place of honour for the torch when it arrives.
The Uhuru Torch Race starts from different places every
year. The 2008 Uhuru Torch was lit in Msonga Village, Coast
Region on 29 March and will be extinguished in Tanga Region
on 14 October. Significant funds are raised from private
sector for community development projects through the
Uhuru Torch Race, which is a development catalyst and a
symbol of community self-reliance.

"All Tanzanians accepted sacrifices for this. ... Mwalimu was not only able to
think and launch slogans on freedom and unity but he could install them into the
hearts of citizens."
He said the unity of the people of the region was cemented when Mwalimu said,
"Uhuru na Umoja: Freedom and Unity, for Tanzania and all of Africa."
We do not have real liberation yet, he said, "we still have to go ahead. Mwalimu
taught us how to move together... by beginning SADC... to meet the challenges. ...
"Today we are building a strong region, but we still have weak economies. Tanzania
could have had a strong economy today if it did not accept sacrifices in building
the future of the region."
The presidency of the European Union at that time was held by Finland, and its
President, Martti Ahtisaari, a friend and former ambassador to Tanzania and later
UN Commissioner for Namibia, came personally to bid farewell.
Mwalimu dedicated his life to the ideals of human dignity and common humanity,
Ahtisaari said. He was a "tireless mediator and peace-builder... who promoted peace
and stability in Africa and was an advocate of good governance worldwide."
Ahtisaari spoke for everyone when he said at the end of his statement: "Asante
sana, Mwalimu. Thank-you, Mwalimu."


body:
Holidays
Public Holidays in SADC

October - December 2008
1 October Public Holiday Botswana
1 October Eid ul Fitr* Mauritius, Tanzania
4 October Independence Day Lesotho
4 October Reconciliation Day/Peace Day Mozambique
13 October Mothers Day Malawi
14 October Mwalimu Nyerere Day and climax Tanzania
of the Uhuru Torch Race
21 October Divali Mauritius
24 October Independence Day Zambia
30 October Public Holiday
(Presidential Election) Zambia
1 November All Saints Day Madagascar
2 November All Saints Day Angola
2 November Arrival of Indentured Labour Mauritius
11 November Independence Day Angola
9 December Independence Day Tanzania
10 December International Human Rights Namibia
16 December Day of Reconciliation South Africa
22 December National Unity Day Zimbabwe
25 December Christmas Day All SADC
26 December Boxing Day Botswana, Lesotho,
Swaziland, Malawi,
Zimbabwe
26 December Family Day Namibia
26 December Day of Goodwill South Africa
* Depends on visibility of the moon


body:
EVENTS
EVENTS DIARY 2008
October


6-8, USA
U.S-Africa infrastructure conference

This will be the third annual US-Africa Infrastructure
Conference. This year’s conference will focus on
Information Communication Technologies (ICTs),
Transportation, Energy, and Security, providing a forum
to explore new business opportunities by identifying
specific growth areas and projects, and to obtain
information on infrastructure development throughout
Africa.

20, Uganda
Tripartite Summit of the SADC-COMESA-EAC

The meeting will be used as an important platform for
the harmonisation of the regional integration
programmes and also to constitute an institutional
framework for broader continental integration. The
meeting is expected to address the issue of
overlapping membership in the region.

30, Zambia
Presidential election

A presidential election will be held in Zambia following
the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa.
According to Zambia’s constitution an election must be
held within 90 days of the post of president falling
vacant. Four candidates have presented themselves for
nomination; the acting President Rupiah Banda, Michael
Sata, Hakainde Hichilema and Godfrey Miyanda.

November
12-13, Tanzania
Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern
Africa Annual Conference

The fifth annual conference of RERA will bring together
regulators, industry leaders, policy makers, utility
customers, investors and other stakeholders in the SADC
region and elsewhere to exchange information on
pertinent developments affecting electricity supply and
demand. The theme will be "Regulatory Challenges in
Harnessing Africa’s Energy Potentials For Sustainable
Power Supply".

25 -10 Dec SADC
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

The campaign offers an opportunity for advocating
women’s rights and the quest to end gender inequality
and gender violence. The event will be celebrated this
year with the theme "Human Rights for Women -
Human Rights for all: Universal Declaration for Human
Rights 60 years after."

December
1, Global
World Aids Day

On 1 December every year, the SADC region
commemorates World AIDS Day with the rest of the
world. The theme this year is "Stop AIDS. Keep the
Promise."



fullvolume:
SADC Today Volume 11 No.3, December 2008

title:
Giant step toward
A single SADC-COMESA-EAC market

Abstract:
THREE REGIONAL economic blocs have
made a giant step towards the long-conceived
goal of an African Economic Community,
approving the expeditious establishment of an
enlarged Free Trade Area (FTA) encompassing
26 Member States in three sub-regions.

body:
THREE REGIONAL economic blocs have
made a giant step towards the long-conceived
goal of an African Economic Community,
approving the expeditious establishment of an
enlarged Free Trade Area (FTA) encompassing
26 Member States in three sub-regions.

Meeting at a Tripartite Summit on 22
October in Kampala, Uganda, leaders of
Member States of SADC, the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
and the East African Community (EAC) agreed
on what many have described as an important
milestone towards continental integration as
envisaged by the African Union (AU).
According to the final communiqué, the
historic Tripartite Summit "agreed on a programme
of harmonization of trading arrangements amongst the three RECs
[Regional Economic Communities], free
movement of business persons, joint implementation
of inter-regional infrastructure
programmes as well as institutional arrangements
on the basis of which the three RECs
would foster cooperation."
The Summit resolved to immediately start
working towards merging the three trading
blocs into a single REC with the objective of
fast-tracking the attainment of the African
Economic Community. In that regard, the
Summit directed the Tripartite Task Force
composed of the Secretariats of the three
RECs to "develop a roadmap for the implementation
of this merger for consideration at
its next meeting."
Reaffirming southern
Africa’s commitment to the
tripartite cooperation process,
SADC Chairperson and South
African President, Kgalema
Motlanthe, said the region
"believes the time has come
for COMESA, EAC and
SADC to bring together our
respective regional integration
programmes in order to
further enlarge our markets,
unlock our productive potential,
increase the levels of
intra-Africa trade, and
enhance our developmental
prospects."
The creation of the grand
FTA will open borders to literally
half of the continent,
spanning the entire southern
and eastern regions of Africa,
from Cape to Cairo. It will be,
by any standard, a formidable
economic bloc with a combined
Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) of US$625 billion.
With a combined population
of 527 million, the grand
FTA places Member States in a
stronger position to respond
effectively to intensifying
global economic competition
and will make the economic
bloc more attractive to foreign
direct investment.
"The process we embark
upon today marks a historic
step towards fulfilling our
obligations under the AU and
the Abuja Treaty framework of
continental integration, which
recognises that RECs are the
building blocks for the African
Economic Community," said
Motlanthe, who addressed the
Summit in his capacity as
Chairperson of SADC.
The Summit was considered
historic given that
for the first time since
the birth of the AU,
three of the eight officially
recognised
key building blocks of the African Economic
Community have met on how
to integrate their separate programmes
into a coherent overall
programme within the
framework of the Abuja
Treaty, which establishes
the continental economic community.
On modalities, the
Tripartite Summit directed the
three RECs to undertake a
study incorporating, among
other issues, the development
of a roadmap within a period
of six months for the establishment
of the FTA, taking into
account the principle of variable
geometry; the legal and
institutional framework to
underpin the FTA; and measures
to facilitate the movement
of business persons
across the RECs.
The Summit further agreed
on a Tripartite Council of
Ministers to be convened
within 12 months to determine
the timeframe for the establishment
of the single FTA,
informed by the findings of
the study.
On multilateral issues, the
Tripartite Summit directed the
chairpersons of the Council of
Ministers of the three RECs to
"ensure that the Secretariats
participate, coordinate and
harmonize positions on
the Economic Partnership
Agreement (EPA) negotiations."
The same approach would
apply to other multilateral
negotiations including the
World Trade Organization’s
Doha Development Round
Negotiations.
In the area of infrastructure
development, the Summit
launched the Joint Competition
Authority (JCA) on Air
Transport Liberalization which
will "oversee the full
implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision on Air
Transport in the three RECs
commencing January 2009."
According to the communiqué,
the JCA comprises
seven members, two each
from EAC, COMESA and
SADC plus a chairperson on a
rotational basis.
The leaders directed the
three RECs to put in place,
within a period of one year,
joint programmes for the
implementation of:

a single seamless upper airspace;
an accelerated, seamless
inter-regional ICT Broadband
Infrastructure Network; and
a harmonized policy and
regulatory framework that
will govern ICT and infrastructural
development in the
three RECs.


Within the same timeframe,
the RECs are expected to
"effectively coordinate and
harmonize" the Regional
Transport Master Plans and
the Regional Energy Priority
Investment Plans, as well as
the Energy Master Plans of the
three RECs.
The three secretariats were
directed to work out a joint
financing and implementation
mechanism for infrastructure
development, within
a year.
Regarding the legal
and institutional framework,
a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) will be drafted
for approval by the Council
of Ministers of each of the
three RECs, within a sixmonth
period. The MoU,
which will broadly cover
inter-regional cooperation and
integration, will define the
powers of each decision making
level.
The Summit agreed on a
Tripartite Summit of Heads
of State and Government which shall sit once every
two years.
The new dispensation in
regional integration will permanently
resolve the longstanding
overlapping membership
conundrum, which
had presented headaches as
the three RECs moved
towards deeper economic
integration.
Technically, a country cannot
belong to more than one
Customs Union. In a Customs
Union, members agree among
other issues, to charge a common
external tariff to third
countries.
Yet COMESA, EAC and
SADC have all attained FTA
status, and are at various
stages of establishing separate
Customs Unions.
The EAC is the most
advanced of the three RECs,
having already launched its
Customs Union while COMESA
plans to have its own by
December 2008.
SADC launched its FTA in
August 2008 and plans to create
a Customs Union by 2010.
If successfully implemented,
the Tripartite Summit decisions
will result in the three
RECs coalescing into a single
FTA with the ultimate objective
of establishing a single
Customs Union, a development
that would partially fulfil
the target of the treaty
establishing the African
Economic Community.
The treaty establishing
the African Economic Community,
popularly known as
the Abuja Treaty, was signed
in 1991 by leaders of the
Organisation of African Unity,
the precursor to the AU.
The treaty envisages a continental
economic zone by
2028, gradually built upon
merging of the many RECs
across the African continent.


title:
Review of Progress on SADC energy recovery strategy

Abstract:
THE SADC energy roadmap
adopted early 2008 by energy
ministers has been the latest
blueprint for an accelerated
recovery from the current crippling
power shortages and is
centred on revival of the
regional energy planning network.

body:
THE SADC energy roadmap
adopted early 2008 by energy
ministers has been the latest
blueprint for an accelerated
recovery from the current crippling
power shortages and is
centred on revival of the
regional energy planning network.
With some of Africa's
fastest expanding economies,
the SADC region ran out of
surplus generation capacity, a
situation that became more
evident in 2007, as accurately
predicted by the Southern
African Power Pool (SAPP)
over a decade ago.
As of February 2008, SADC
combined electricity demand
stood at 47,067MW vís á
vís available capacity of
43,518MW.
The energy recovery roadmap

The SADC Energy Recovery
Plan contains prioritised
programmes and activities
covering the power sector
to be reviewed on a yearly
basis.
After an emergency
meeting of the Energy
Ministerial Task Force on
Implementation of Power
Sector Programme in
Botswana in February 2008
and later the Energy
Ministerial Meeting in the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) in April, SADC
Member States agreed to:

integrate energy conservation;
create regional energy linkages;
adopt a Biomass Energy
Conservation Plan and;
execute a Power Surplus
Capacity Utilisation Programme.


At their meeting in DRC,
the energy ministers also
noted the importance
of reviving the Energy Planning and Environmental
Management Training Programme.
Assessment of the regional
power projects

A SAPP steering committee
that met in August 2008 to
assess progress on the implementation
of power projects
concluded that the electricity
supply-demand situation
continued to be unstable. It
warned that the situation was
likely to impact on the SADC
region's integration agenda,
whose successful implementation
heavily hinges on the
availability of sufficient energy
and other infrastructure
services.
Furthermore, a review
committee set up by the SADC
Secretariat in conjunction with
SAPP also said in September
that most of the generation
and transmission projects that
were embarked on as early as
2005 have not yet been completed
on time.
The committee attributed
the slow progress to the
financial constraints arising
from low tariffs, inappropriate
national policies and lack
of political will on the part of
some Member States.
The SAPP Co-ordination
Centre Manager, Lawrence
Musaba, said that the policy
structure of the electricity
industry in the region has a
bearing on the development of
the sector and therefore called
for an immediate review of
such policies.
Musaba said that when the
regional Energy Recovery
Plan comes under its first
annual review in February
2009, Member States need to
take into account the need to
urgently address lack of a
regional policy in the energy
sector.
SAPP has recommended
that in 2009, Member States
need to quickly implement
the short-term projects
which are currently behind
schedule.
As shown by the SAPP
mid-year status report presented
at the SADC Summit in
August, the implementation
of both short and long-term
regional generation and transmission
projects were between
a year and two years behind
schedule.

Strengthening regional
power pools
THE REGIONAL Electricity
Regulatory Association
(RERA), says there is need to
start a process that will culminate
in common electricity
standards across the continent
and bring the regional
power pools together as part
of the solution to the current
energy shortages.
The move is meant to
speed up the pace of interconnection
across national
borders, which has often
been hampered by the existence
of different standards
in various countries.


Priority regional energy
projects

Regional generation projects
which need urgent attention
include the Inga-3 and the
Grand Inga-Phase-1 with a
total potential generation
capacity of 9500MW.
The WESTCOR transmission
interconnector project is
another regional initiative that
is still lagging behind.
The project was conceived
through the combined initiative
of the SADC Secretariat
and the power utilities of
Angola, Botswana, DRC, Namibia and South Africa in
1996, but little has happened
to bring it to fruition.
However, other national or
bilateral projects which are set
to improve power system
reliability and enhance the
exchange of energy are near
completion, with some expected
by end of 2008.
These include the
600MW DRC-Zambia interconnector,
the 300MW
Malawi-Mozambique interconnector,
the 400MW
Zambia-Tanzania-Kenya
interconnector and other
smaller hydro power projects
dotted across the region.
Challenges and constraints
for 2009

SADC is still facing a number
of challenges in the energy
sector despite current efforts
at dealing with the shortages.
Blackouts and load shedding
are still prevalent in some
Member States, while economic
growth in countries such as
Angola and Zambia will
inevitably strain available
capacity.
According to SAPP, the
process of consolidating and
updating information on
SADC energy programmes
and projects which is in line
with the region's long term
plans requires more technical
support and human power
than initially envisaged.
Some of the more prominent
challenges and constraints
are:

Inability of national policy
structures to conform with
recommendations by the
Ministerial Task Force
made at regional level;
Inadequate financial
resources to implement
projects and;
Inadequate infrastructure
and human resources.


title:
Malawi's grain subsidy strengthens food security

Abstract:
THE TURNAROUND in
Malawi, from being a food
deficit country to one producing
surplus grain and overcoming
food shortages has
demonstrated that regional
countries have the capacity to
be food secure if they apply
the right policies.

body:
THE TURNAROUND in
Malawi, from being a food
deficit country to one producing
surplus grain and overcoming
food shortages has
demonstrated that regional
countries have the capacity to
be food secure if they apply
the right policies.
The grain subsidy programme
that was introduced
in 2005 has seen the government
increasing the provision
of maize seed and fertiliser to
the smallholder farmers by
more than 75 percent.
As a result, Malawi has since
2005 trebled maize production
from 1.2 million tonnes to 3.4
million tonnes in the 2007/2008
agricultural season.
The government policy
intervention _ a reintroduction
of fertiliser and seed subsidies
that began in 1999 _ is profoundly
supported by the
Malawian President Bingu wa
Mutharika, who doubles as
Minister of Agriculture.
Starting in 2005, the government
distributed coupons to
low-income farmers allowing
them to purchase two 50kg bags
of fertiliser equivalent to US$7,
one-fifth the market price.
In addition, the government
provided vouchers to buy
seeds sufficient for planting
half an acre each. As a result,
the average farmer's yield
increased to two tonnes per
hectare from 0.8 tonnes in 2005.
In the 2007/2008 agricultural
season, the subsidy programme
cost the government
US$62 million or 6.5 percent of
its total budget.



The programme was initially
criticised by economists and
multilateral agencies who
argued that the expansion
of subsidies would
worsen the budget
deficit and create distortions
in the market.
But Malawi's recent successes in turning around
the agriculture sector and
ensuring food security for the
country has confounded critics.
In fact, the phenomenal
increase in maize production
has saved the country a yearly
budget of US$120 million that
it had spent in 2005 importing
food aid.
As highlighted by
Malawi's Deputy Minister
of Agriculture, Frank
Mwendifumbo, the important
lesson for policy makers in
the region is that government
subsidies are necessary for
growth in agriculture. Such
an intervention is in line
with the SADC Declaration on Agriculture and Food
Security that was adopted by
SADC Member States in
Tanzania.
Among the medium to long
term targets, the SADC leaders
agreed to ensure that all
Member States progressively
increase agricultural finance
allocation to at least 10 percent
of national budgets within a
period of five years.
In the 2008/2009 agriculture
season, Malawi plans to
spend US$186 million in
an ambitious farm input
subsidy programme for 1.7
million peasant farmers, agriculture
authorities recently
announced.


title:
Mozambique aims to lead "green revolution"

Abstract:
MOZAMBIQUE AIMS to
lead a "green revolution" in
sub-Saharan Africa by using
science and innovation to
improve crop varieties and
boost production.

body:
MOZAMBIQUE AIMS to
lead a "green revolution" in
sub-Saharan Africa by using
science and innovation to
improve crop varieties and
boost production.
Opening a conference in
September on Biotechnology,
Breeding and Seed Systems
for African Crops in Maputo,
Mozambique's Minister of
Science and Technology,
Venancio Massingue, declared
that a "green revolution" is
needed for development in the
region.
"Incorporating science in
agriculture in Mozambique is
key to the modernisation of
the economy and to provide
jobs in rural and urban areas.
This is why science improves
the lives of people," said
Massingue.
He said his country's bid to
bring about a "green revolution"
would only be possible if
scientists breed high-yielding
varieties of crops to relieve
hunger in rural areas.
Mozambique has set aside
over US$30 million dollars for
seed and fertiliser distribution, and the government is looking
for private sector partnerships
to widen the seed programme.
Mozambican President
Armando Guebuza declared
that his government is striving
toward a "green revolution" to
improve and diversify agriculture
and increase food production.
Calisto Bias, Director of
the Mozambique National Institute of Agricultural
Research, said research
plays an important role in the
development and promotion
of new agricultural products.
"The use of improved seeds
is quite (low) in Mozambique
and Africa in general. Seed
companies always complain
about the small market compared
to the cost of production,"
said Bias.


title:
Angola's rural agricultural project
receives cash boost

Abstract:
A SIX-YEAR project aimed at
improving Angola's smallholder
farmers' produce and access
to markets has received a grant
of US$6.4 million from the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.

body:
A SIX-YEAR project aimed at
improving Angola's smallholder
farmers' produce and access
to markets has received a grant
of US$6.4 million from the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The project, which will be
managed by the Angolan government,
hopes to open new
market opportunities for rural
farmers in Angola.
The PRORENDA project, as
it will be known, is a groundbreaking
initiative designed to
benefit smallholder farmers in
Angola's central highlands, 60 percent of whom are said to be
women, including war widows
and female heads of vulnerable
households.
Beneficiaries also include
people with disabilities sustained
during Angola's 27-
year civil conflict.
By connecting smallholder
farmers in the central highlands
to major urban markets
for crops such as potatoes, carrots
and onions, the project
seeks to raise incomes of more
than 51,000 smallholder farmers'
families.


title:
Zambia's election free and transparent SADC

Abstract:
ELECTION OBSERVERS
have praised the conduct of
the 30 October presidential
election in Zambia saying the
process was in conformity
with regional and international
standards.

body:
ELECTION OBSERVERS
have praised the conduct of
the 30 October presidential
election in Zambia saying the
process was in conformity
with regional and international
standards.
The SADC Election
Observer Mission (SEOM),
headed by Swaziland
Permanent Secretary for
Defence, John Kunene, said
the elections were "peaceful,
free and transparent" and
reflected the will of the
Zambian people.
"It is SADC's overall view
that the elections were conducted
in an open, transparent
and professional manner,"
said Kunene.
"No acts of intimidation
were observed or reported
countrywide," Kunene added.
The SEOM pleaded with the
different political parties to
follow the relevant institutions
in Zambia to address any
grievances.
SADC further commended
the Electoral Commission of
Zambia (ECZ) for the professional
management of the
elections and commitment to
produce credible and legitimate
electoral results.
The African Union (AU)
said the elections were peaceful
and voter counting and
transmission of the results
were conducted in a transparent
manner.
Head of the AU observer
mission and Minister of
Foreign Affairs in Mauritius,
Anil Gayan, said polling was
in conformity with the declaration
of AU principles governing
democratic elections in
Africa.
"Overall the elections
were free, transparent and
fair," the AU mission said,
citing a few problems that
needed to be rectified in
future elections.
The election was won by
Rupiah Banda, the former acting
president and candidate of
the Movement for Multi-
Party Democracy (MMD).
According to the final results
released by the ECZ on 1
November, Banda won the
presidency with 40.09 percent
of the vote followed by Michael
Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF)
who garnered 38.13 percent.
Hakainde Hichilema of the
United Party for National
Development (UPND) won
19.73 percent while Godfrey
Miyanda of the Heritage Party
(HP) got less than one percent
of the vote.
The election was necessitated
by the death of incumbent
Levy Mwanawasa who passed
away in August.
Voter turnout was 45.43
percent representing 1.8 million
people, out of a total 3.9
million registered voters.


title:
PROFILE
Rupiah Banda, President of Zambia

Abstract:
THE FOURTH president of the
Republic of Zambia, Rupiah
Banda, is a veteran politician
who has been in the public service
for more than 50 years.

body:
THE FOURTH president of the
Republic of Zambia, Rupiah
Banda, is a veteran politician
who has been in the public service
for more than 50 years.
Born on 19 February 1937,
Banda was among a group of
young leaders of the United
National Independence Party
(UNIP) who won Zambia's independence
in October 1964,
under the leadership of Kenneth
Kaunda.
At the age of 27, he became
Zambia's first ambassador to
Egypt. It was a significant posting
as Cairo was an important
African capital during the leadership
of Gamal Abdel Nasser,
who was a key supporter of
independence struggles in
Zambia and the region.
Banda, an economist by profession,
held several diplomatic
posts including Zambia's representative
to the United Nations
from the late 1960s to early 1970s.
In 1975, he was appointed as
Foreign Minister by Kaunda at a critical period in the history of
southern Africa, at a time when
Mozambique and Angola were
gaining independence.
Between 1982 and 1986, he
served as President of the
United Nations Council on
Namibia which was effectively
the government of Namibia
while the matter of South
Africa's disputed mandate over
the territory was being
resolved.
In 1988, he was again elected
as a Member of Parliament and
served in the National Assembly
until 1991 when the UNIP government
was defeated in
Zambia's first multi-party elections.
In 1994, he was appointed
Minister of State Mines and later
became Senior Governor for
Lusaka in 1998.
He resigned from politics in
2002 to join the private sector, but
was recalled to the post of Vice
President by the late President
Levy Mwanawasa after the 2006
presidential election.


title:
PROFILE
Kgalema Motlanthe, President of South
Africa and SADC Chairperson

Abstract:
THE NEW SADC
Chairperson is
Kgalema Motlanthe,
the interim President
of South Africa
and Deputy President
of the ruling
party, the African
National Congress
(ANC).

body:
THE NEW SADC
Chairperson is
Kgalema Motlanthe,
the interim President
of South Africa
and Deputy President
of the ruling
party, the African
National Congress
(ANC).
A former trade unionist and previously ANC
Secretary General, Motlanthe
has made a significant contribution
to his party and country.
Born on 19 July 1949 in
Johannesburg, Motlanthe spent
most of his early life in Soweto
organising against the apartheid
administration.
In the 1970s, while working
for the Johannesburg City
Council, he was recruited into
Umkhonto we Sizwe -- the military
wing of the ANC.
In April 1976, he was arrested
for furthering the aims of the
ANC and was detained without
trial for 11 months at John
Vorster Square in Johannesburg.
In 1977, he was found guilty
of three charges under the
Terrorism Act and sentenced to
an effective 10 years imprisonment
at Robben Island.
After his release in
1987, he was tasked
with strengthening
the union movement.
When the ANC was
legalised in 1990,
Motlanthe was put in
charge of re-establishing
the legal structures
of the party.
In 1997 he was elected as
Secretary General of ANC and
was re-elected in 2002. Among
other things, his responsibilities
included the development of
party-to-party relations in the
SADC region.
He was elected ANC Deputy
President in December 2007 at
the party's 52nd National
Conference in Polokwane, and
in July 2008 he was appointed
Minister in The Presidency of
the Republic of South Africa,
before becoming interim
President in September after the
incumbent, Thabo Mbeki, was
recalled by the party.
South Africa hosted the
SADC Summit of Heads of State
and Government in August
2008, after being elected to chair
the regional community for the
following year.


title:
Time for Africa to harness its huge hydro-energy potential

Abstract:
COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
attending the
20th Session of the African
Hydro Symposium held in
Zambia have called for
African governments to
harness its huge hydroenergy
potential, as it is
cheap and clean.

body:
COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
attending the
20th Session of the African
Hydro Symposium held in
Zambia have called for
African governments to
harness its huge hydroenergy
potential, as it is
cheap and clean.
According to Lawrence
Musaba, the Coordination
Centre Manager for the
Southern African Power
Pool (SAPP), Africa has a
combined feasible hydrocapacity
of more than
1,750,000 gigawatts (GW)
per year, enough to power
the whole continent but
unfortunately, only 4.3
percent of this is being
exploited.


The symposium heard
from SAPP and the
Regional Electricity
Regulators Association of
Southern Africa (RERA)
that in order to deal with
the regional power
deficits and stop a further
decline of the environment,
alternative power
sources have to be
researched and exploited.
One such renewable
energy source is hydro
which involves using
water to turn turbines,
and generate clean and
cheap electricity.
With seven major river
systems (Congo, Limpopo,
Niger, Nile, Orange,
Senegal and Zambezi)
Africa holds 10 percent of
the world hydro-energy
potential, but has so far
exploited only a small part
of its capability, the symposium
heard.
RERA stressed that climate
change, the quest for
cleaner energy and Africa's
needs for constant power
supply clearly underscore
the need to boost investment
in the hydropower
sector while taking into
account broader environmental,
economic and
social concerns.
The symposium, which
aims at sharing experiences
between governments
and the private sector,
is intended to pool
resources and step up
regional cooperation in
the energy sector among
African countries.
At the opening ceremony,
Zambia's Energy and
Water Development
Minister, Kenneth Konga,
appealed for the reinforcement
of cooperation
amongst countries of the
region, with the aim of
strengthening cohesion
towards regional energy
development.
Discussion at this
year's conference covered
topics such as the energy
shortage in the region, an
evaluation of progress on
current projects, plans to
move establish a single
power pool for the continent,
lessons and challenges
of new energy
technology, and sharing
of experiences, among
other issues.
Before the conference, a
panel of regional utilities
was assembled to review
the key questions relating
to water and energy
resource exploitation,
financing, and environmental
and social impacts.
The panel's report
noted that hydropower
has been financed traditionally
by public funds
and therefore recommended
the involvement
of the private sector as the
continent is facing a
shortage of public funds.
The panel also called
for the development of
mini-hydro stations that
have the potential of supplying
cheap energy to
rural communities.
Hydropower is plentiful
in eastern and southern
Africa where availability
of adequate rainfall
and relief creates the
basic natural potential for
exploitation.
North Africa has 23
percent of the continent's
hydro-power, West Africa
has 25 percent, while east
and southern Africa have
52 percent.
Examples of major
hydro projects in southern
Africa include the Inga
hydropower station in the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) of which
construction of phase
three is expected to start
in 2009 at a total cost of
US$3.6 billion.
The Inga Falls project is
believed to be the largest
single hydropower initiative
in the world and, when
operating at full capacity, is
expected to surpass
Mozambique's Cahora
Bassa, currently one of
Africa's biggest hydroelectric
stations, producing an
estimated 2,500 MW.
Other hydropower projects
in southern Africa
include Kariba (shared by
Zambia and Zimbabwe),
Kafue Gorge in Zambia,
Kidatu in Tanzania,
Maguga in Swaziland, and
the Bethlehem power project
in South Africa, among
others.


title:
Zambia, World Bank sign US$75.5m power deal

Abstract:
THE ZAMBIAN government
has signed a
US$75.5 million financial
agreement with the World
Bank aimed at increasing
access to electricity as the
region continues to face
power shortages.

body:
THE ZAMBIAN government
has signed a
US$75.5 million financial
agreement with the World
Bank aimed at increasing
access to electricity as the
region continues to face
power shortages.
According to Ng'andu
Magande, Zambia's
Finance Minister, "The
funding will enhance
Zambia's power generation
projects that seek to increase electricity supply
to all parts of the country,
with more emphasis on
rural areas."
Magande said effective
implementation of the
ongoing rural electrification
project as well as new
generation projects need
to be supported by costreflective
tariffs to
safeguard operational
efficiencies for power
entities such as the Company (ZESCO).
The project will see
the World Bank and
the Global Environment
Facility providing US$33
million and US$4.5 million,
respectively, with
the European Union
providing an additional
US$15 million while the
Zambian government
will inject US$12 million
into the project.


title:
African renewable energy attracts attention

Abstract:
THE POTENTIAL for
renewable energy development
in Africa is growing
as both investors and
regional leaders seek a
new clean energy frontier.

body:
THE POTENTIAL for
renewable energy development
in Africa is growing
as both investors and
regional leaders seek a
new clean energy frontier.
According to the
African Development
Bank (AfDB), the continent
could become a
"gold mine" for renewable
energy due to abundant
solar and wind
resources.

However, the development
of the industry has been made difficult by
lack of financial resources
and poor infrastructure.
Meeting at the Africa
Carbon Forum in Senegal
in October, officials from
the African Union (AU),
AfDB, and power utilities
shared strategies for
"Clean Development
Mechanism" (CDM) projects
on the continent,
such as greenhouse gasreducing
initiatives.
The focus of the meeting
was centred on the possibility
of future CDM projects
under a successor
agreement to the Kyoto
Protocol.
Yet so far, Africa has
benefited the least among
all continents from the
US$7 billion annual CDM
market.
Since the European
Union began trading
"carbon credits" through
its Emissions Trading
Scheme in 2005, only 27 of
the 1,156 CDM projects
included under the
scheme have been registered
in Africa.
A report by the AfDB
released at the meeting
provides further evidence
of the continent's potential.
Sub-Saharan Africa has
the potential to provide
more than 170 gigawatts
(GW) of additional powergeneration
capacity --
more than double the subregion's
current installations
through 3,200 "lowcarbon"
energy projects,
such as combined heatand-
power, biofuels production,
mass transportation,
and energy efficiency,
says the report.


title:
Solar power brings hope for rural
clinics in Madagascar

Abstract:
THE USE of solar energy
in rural Madagascar has
brought relief to many
areas that were previously
disadvantaged.

body:
THE USE of solar energy
in rural Madagascar has
brought relief to many
areas that were previously
disadvantaged.
Still unconnected to the
national grid, several
rural hospitals and clinics
have recently been
equipped with solar technology
to produce their
own electricity.
Before the initiative
spearheaded by the Madagascan government,
rural residents had to
bring their own candles to
be attended to during the
night.
According to the country's
2007 National
Development Report,
only three percent of the
rural population are connected
to the national
electricity grid, yet 85 percent
of Madagascar's 17
million people live in the
countryside.
Another problem facing
the country is that of
infrastructure which has
prevented the investment
in electricity by private
investors in the rural
areas.
With the new initiative,
each room at the local clinic
is equipped with light
bulbs. Most clinics have
also been able to remove
the generators that used to
power refrigerators that
store vaccinations and
medicines.


Abstract:
ANGOLA EXPECTS to
boost its oil production
in 2009 to 2.5 million barrels
a day.

body:
Angola to boost oil production in 2009
ANGOLA EXPECTS to
boost its oil production
in 2009 to 2.5 million barrels
a day.
According to a government
statement, Cabinet
Ministers approved a
2009 budget based on a
projected oil production
of 779 million barrels.
The Organisation of
Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) puts Angola's current daily
production at about 1.7
million barrels a day, the
largest on the African
continent.
Angola joined OPEC
in 2007, making it the
newest member of the
organisation. This year,
Angola surpassed
Nigeria as the leading
producer of oil on the
continent.



title:
SADC and DBSA sign MoU for project
investment facility

Abstract:
SADC HAS signed an agreement
with the Development
Bank of Southern Africa to
strengthen capacity in producing
projects that can
attract investors.

body:
SADC HAS signed an agreement
with the Development
Bank of Southern Africa to
strengthen capacity in producing
projects that can
attract investors.
This is a first step towards
the SADC Project Preparation
and Develop-ment Facility
(PPDF), to be established within
the context of the Regional
Deve-lopment Fund, as an
instrument to finance regional
cooperation and integration
projects.
The PPDF is expected to
strengthen preparation of
viable regional infrastructure
projects and unleash abundant
project capital available in the for project identification,
preparation and development.
The Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) was
signed by the SADC Executive
Secretary, Tomaz Augusto
Salomão, and Paul Baloyi,
Chief Executive of the DBSA.
The parties said the purpose
of the MoU is to clarify principles,
roles and functional areas
of cooperation between the
SADC Secretariat and the DBSA
in respect of hosting and implementing
the SADC PPDF.
"This will ensure that projects
are bankable and attractive
to investors, and thereby contribute
to the enhancement of the state of infrastructure in the
region," a SADC statement said.
The next step is to put in
place an appropriate framework
for managing the facility,
SADC said, adding that Member States in collaboration
with DBSA will urgently
examine an appropriate
framework with a view to
having the facility fully operational
by the end of 2008.


Abstract:
THE NEPAD Business
Foundation has held talks with
business leaders in the SADC
region to consolidate private
sector involvement in regional
and continental development.

body:
THE NEPAD Business
Foundation has held talks with
business leaders in the SADC
region to consolidate private
sector involvement in regional
and continental development.
Through the NEPAD-SADC
Business Hub, the two organisations
hope to increase private
sector participation at a
regional level.
"This consolidation into
regional trading hubs will
allow SADC to stack up and
engage in respectable trade
relations and set terms of trade
that are favourable for both
sides and have a formidable
partner that is good for reciprocity,"
said Reuel Khoza,
chairperson of the NBF.
The joint business hub will:

ensure the private sector’s
role in the development of
economic growth in the
region.
address the current
challenges in conducting
business in
the region.
promote trade and investment
flows.
reinforce the role of the private
sector for relevant trade
and economic policies.
strengthen regional integration.


title:
South Africa, Venezuela sign major
energy deal

Abstract:
SOUTH AFRICA and
Venezuela have sealed a major
oil deal that could reduce the
cost of fuel in South Africa and
the region.

body:
SOUTH AFRICA and
Venezuela have sealed a major
oil deal that could reduce the
cost of fuel in South Africa and
the region.
Although no details were
available, the deal is likely to
include plans for Venezuela to
supply crude oil at preferential
rates to South Africa’s
state oil company, PetroSA.
South Africa’s pioneering
gas-to-liquid technology,
while PetroSA is looking to
invest in oil exploration and
production in Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Hugo
Chavez said his country was
interested in using South
Africa’s oil storage capacity of
some 45 million barrels and help
expand its refining capacity.
With the world facing unstable
oil prices, Chavez said it is
imperative that nations of the
South unite behind a "new
strategic agenda, to conduct a
true strategic change in international
relations."


title:
Inflation hits double figures in most
SADC countries

Abstract:
INFLATION FIGURES during
the third quarter hit double
digits in most SADC countries,
mainly due to an
increase in electricity, oil, food
and housing costs.

body:
INFLATION FIGURES during
the third quarter hit double
digits in most SADC countries,
mainly due to an
increase in electricity, oil, food
and housing costs.
South Africa’s main inflation
rate rose to 13 percent in
August, a little above forecasts
by the South African Reserve
Bank. The annual rise in inflation
accelerated from 11.6 percent
in July.
A similar trend affected
Zambian inflation, recording
13.2 percent in August, 0.6
percent higher than the July
rate of 12.6 percent. Compared with the same period last year,
the annual rate of inflation
increased by 2.5 percentage
points, from 10.2 percent.
Botswana’s inflation accelerated
to a year-on-year rate of
15 percent in August as transport
and food costs increased.
According to the Central
Statistics Office in Gaborone,
the inflation rate rose from
14.5 percent in July.
A few countries in the
region, including Angola,
Malawi, Namibia and the
United Republic of Tanzania,
still enjoy single digit inflation
figures.


title:
Southern Africa
Environment Outlook 2008

Abstract:
Southern Africa
Environment Outlook 2008

body:
The Southern Africa Environment
Outlook assesses the
current state of the environment
in the region, and reflects
on trends over the past decade.
The report highlights key
emerging environmental issues
in southern Africa, and also
presents a set of future scenarios
for the region.

"SADC recognises that natural
resources are critical to
regional development and
poverty eradication and hence
enshrined 'sustainable utilisation
of natural resources and
effective protection of the environment'
in the revised SADC
Treaty," the SADC Executive
Secretary, Tomaz Augusto
Salomão, says in his foreword
to the book.
"In line with the Treaty, the
SADC Regional Indicative
Strategic Development Plan
(RISDP) calls for regular environmental
assessment, monitoring
and reporting for purposes
of analysing regional
trends.
"The importance of environmental
sustainability in the
SADC region is also reflected in
the many regional and international
agreements to which
Member States are signatory.
Furthermore, the critical nature
of natural resources to economic,
social and political integration
was also recognised at the
Rio Earth Summit of 1992."
The preparation of the
Southern Africa Environment
Outlook was coordinated by
the Southern African Research
and Documentation Centre
(SARDC) through its Musokotwane
Environment Resource
Centre for Southern
Africa (IMERCSA), as part of
the Communicating the
Environment Programme
(CEP), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and
IUCN-The World Conservation
Union.
SARDC IMERCSA is the
regional collaborating centre
for UNEP on environmental
assessment and reporting for
southern Africa, and provides
the regional assessment for the
Africa Environment Outlook
and the Global Environment
Outlook.
Preparation of the Southern
Africa Environment Outlook
was based on a wide consultative
and participatory process,
during which consensus around regional perspectives
and priorities was built over a
10-year period.
The Southern Africa
Environment Outlook (SAEO)
is published almost 15 years
after the first comprehensive
State of the Environment in
Southern Africa, produced by
CEP in 1994, and six years after
a major report on water,
Defining and Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in
Water Resources Manage-ment in
Southern Africa, launched at the
World Summit on Sustainable
Development in 2002.
SADC plans to produce
environmental reports more
often in line with the RISDP targets
for five-yearly intervals.
The next report is expected to
review the period 2005-2010.


Abstract:
THE SADC Gender Unit is
preparing a plan for consultations
throughout the region on
the draft gender protocol to enable
the involvement of all
stakeholders.

body:
THE SADC Gender Unit is
preparing a plan for consultations
throughout the region on
the draft gender protocol to enable
the involvement of all
stakeholders.
The draft Protocol on Gender
and Development is under
review after the 2007 Summit of
Heads of State and Government
referred it back to SADC
ministers responsible for gender
to allow for further national
consultations.
Consultations will be undertaken
in the first half of 2008 so
that the protocol can be finalised
and submitted to Summit
in August.

The immediate action to be
taken by the SADC Gender
Unit is to finalise the roadmap
for national activities, including
specific activities that will
be undertaken, what partnerships
will be entered into, and
which stakeholders to consult,
as well as setting timeframes
for all the activities to be undertaken
to ensure sufficiently
wide consultations.
The key stakeholders to be
involved from the beginning of
the process include SADC senior
officials, officials from ministries
of justice, foreign affairs,
finance, members of parliament,
and development partners.


title:
African unity and industrial development
the focus of 10th African Union Assembly

Abstract:
THE AFRICAN Union has accelerated
plans for unification
through establishment of a
high-level group of heads of
state and government, under
the leadership of President
Jakaya Kikwete of the United
Republic of Tanzania, who is
the new AU chairperson.

body:
THE AFRICAN Union has accelerated
plans for unification
through establishment of a
high-level group of heads of
state and government, under
the leadership of President
Jakaya Kikwete of the United
Republic of Tanzania, who is
the new AU chairperson.
The high-level group,
made up of Kikwete and President
John Kufuor of Ghana as
the outgoing AU chairperson,
includes 10 other leaders, two from each of the five regions
of Africa.
This group was established
at the 10th Ordinary Session of
the African Union Assembly
of Heads of State and Government
held in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia, at the end of January.
The high-level group is
mandated to study the issues
that have hampered progress,
identified by a ministerial
committee that presented its
report to the Assembly. The
new higher level committee is
expected to present recommendations
on a union government
to their colleagues at
the next AU Assembly, set for
Cairo in July.
The areas of divergence recall
the original debates at the
founding Summit of the Organisation
of African Unity
(OAU) in May 1963 when
President Kwame Nkrumah
of Ghana wanted immediate
unification of the few countries
that were independent, in
a pan-African government.
President Julius Nyerere of
Tanzania was equally eloquent
in advocating a “brickby-
brick” approach, starting
with the pursuance of political
independence for the remaining
countries under colonial
rule or apartheid, including
the whole of southern Africa.
It is ironic that the two
leaders who handed over the
torch in January as incoming
and outgoing chairperson of
the AU, represent the same
two countries.
The new debates arose after
the completion of political independence
with the end of
the apartheid government in
South Africa in 1994, thus the
achievement of political independence
by the OAU and the
subsequent establishment of
the African Union.
The protagonists this time
are the Libyan President, Col.
Muammar Gaddafi, insisting on immediate transformation
to a United States of Africa,
while southern Africa advocates
strengthening the Regional
Economic Communities
(RECs) as building blocks.
While the AU is agreed on
the movement towards a
union government, there are
different views on the timing
and model of governance.
There are four areas of divergence,
focusing essentially
on whether to move rapidly to
political unity of the continent,
or to strengthen regional
economic development first,
as building blocks.
The timing of the establishment
of a union government
has two schools of thought.
One is the gradual approach
from the bottom up, advocated
by eastern and southern
Africa, based on the RECs and
taking time to build regional
economies.
The other school of
thought, comprising mostly
west African states and Libya,
is for a top-down approach
starting with the formation of
a union government and election
of its leader as a matter of
urgency, to replace the current
AU Commission.
The latter group wants a
union president in place with
a small cabinet to cover trade,
defence and foreign policy;
and expansion of the cabinet
up to 2015.
In addition to timing, the
other sticking point is the
model of governance to adopt:
a federal model like the United
States of America; a coalition
of states cooperating in
specific areas with clearly defined
state sovereignty, similar
to the European Union; or a
gradual approach that will
eventually lead to one continental
government.
While this complex issue of
the form and timing of African
governance was again deferred to committee, the discussions
during the three-day
Summit were based on the
theme of “Industrial Development
of Africa,” with emphasis
on the need to strengthen
national economies by engaging
in economic co-operation
partnerships.
Other issues addressed included
peace resolution and
security, climate change, and
the role of the youths in
African development.
Tanzania's President Kikwete,
elected as the new AU
chairperson, pledged to work
hard in changing Africa's current
image as a continent
stereotyped for civil wars,
political turbulence and instability.
“There is a lot of bad news
coming from Africa, despite
the continent's enormous resources.
It is my hope that we
can turn things around. This is
the major challenge ahead of
us,” Kikwete said.
“Time has come for us to
bring about development on
the continent. We (African nations)
must forge closer unity
and have a common voice in
dealing with the prevailing
unfair global trading and financial
framework.”
The selection of Kikwete
was anticipated as the rotating
presidency had to be taken by
an east African nation.


Abstract:
THE FORMER foreign
minister of Gabon, Jean
Ping, has been appointed
as the new chairperson of
the AU Commission to replace
Alpha Omar Konare,
whose term has expired.

body:
THE FORMER foreign
minister of Gabon, Jean
Ping, has been appointed
as the new chairperson of
the AU Commission to replace
Alpha Omar Konare,
whose term has expired.
Seven commissioners
out of the eight portfolios
of the AU Commission
were appointed at the recent
AU Assembly. The
two commissioners from
southern Africa were reappointed:
Economic Affairs, Dr.
Maxwell Mkwezalamba
(Malawi); and
Social Affairs, Adv.
Bience Philomina
Gawanas (Namibia).


The AU Commission
also elected nine new
members of its Peace and
Security Council (PSC):
Burundi, Chad, Rwanda,
Uganda, Tunisia, Swaziland,
Benin, Burkina Faso
and Mali.
The new council was
urged to prioritise the
protection of civilians
and in particular,
women and girls in
Sudan, Somalia, and
the DRC.


Abstract:
THE SADC region will spend
about US$7.9 billion over the
next two years to boost power supplies
while a further US$32 billion
is earmarked for longer-term electricity
generation projects.

body:
THE SADC region will spend
about US$7.9 billion over the
next two years to boost power supplies
while a further US$32 billion
is earmarked for longer-term electricity
generation projects.
SADC energy ministers resolved
at a meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe,
in 2007 that Member States
should undertake short-term generation
projects that will add 6,700
megawatts (MW) of power to the
regional network.
The short-term projects will cost
US$7.88 billion and should be ready
by 2010, according to the ministers.
The regional network is administered
by the Southern African
Power Pool (SAPP) Coordination
Centre in Harare.
“The regional generation surplus
is expected to increase by
5,000MW from generation projects
in progress by 2010,” the energy
ministers said in a statement.
The SADC region was projected
to run out of surplus generation capacity
in 2007. Current installed capacity
in the region is 53,000MW but
the dependable capacity is only
about 41,000MW, the ministers said.
The region's electricity generation
capacity has not increased in
tandem with the growth in demand
for power occasioned by the rapid
expansion of the regional economy.
Power demand growth has averaged
three percent a year over the past decade, spurned on by economic
expansion of around five
percent.
Since 2004, SAPP members have
commissioned rehabilitation projects
that have contributed 1,810
MW to the regional grid.
“The regional energy shortfall is
currently 1,000MW, without a reserve
margin of 4,000MW,” the
ministers revealed, adding that the
shortfall is expected to be reduced
to zero through the implementation
of short-term projects over the next
two years.
A number of long-term generation
projects are also lined up, some
of which will be ready by 2020.
“The SAPP members shall undertake
long-term generation projects,
which shall add 32,000 MW to
the SAPP network at a cost of
US$32 billion,” the energy ministers
said.
The region's flagship long-term
project is the Western Corridor
Power Project (WESTCOR), a giant
five-country initiative that will exploit
the environmentally friendly,
renewable, hydroelectric energy of
the Inga rapids site in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC).
The energy ministers acknowledged
the “likely contribution of
WESTCOR as a renewable largescale
hydroelectric power generation,
power transmission and broadband
telecommunications project.”
The project will add about
3,500MW to the regional power
grid and will result in the development
of associated telecommunications
and transmission infrastructure
in the western part of SADC at
an estimated cost of US$7 billion.
The WESTCOR project is a joint
venture involving the power utilities
of Angola, Botswana, DRC,
Namibia and South Africa.
SAPP has 12 member countries
represented by their respective
power utilities, although three of
these countries - Angola, Malawi
and the United Republic of Tanzania
- are accorded non-operating member
status as they are not connected
to the regional electricity grid.
The island states of Mauritius
and Madagascar are not members
of SAPP.
A Revised Inter-Governmental
MOU was signed in 2006 and the
Revised Inter-Utility MOU in 2007.
The SAPP has transmission projects
that aim to connect Angola, Malawi
and the United Republic of Tanzania
and to bring on board private
investors to widen supply of electricity.
The revision of the IGMOU and
the IUMOU was meant to recognise
other new developments in the region
such as the restructuring of
SADC and its institutions, particularly
the dissolution of the electricity
sub-committee.


title:
To end power shortages Southern Africa has to “run while others walk”

Abstract:
As Southern Africa enters its second year of
crippling energy shortages as accurately
predicted by the Southern African Power Pool
about a decade ago, massive short-term projects
of close to US$8 billion must be fast tracked over
the next two years.

body:
As Southern Africa enters its second year of
crippling energy shortages as accurately
predicted by the Southern African Power Pool
about a decade ago, massive short-term projects
of close to US$8 billion must be fast tracked over
the next two years.
Electricity shortages have in recent weeks
severely affected several SADC Member States
leading to scheduled and, in some cases, unscheduled
power cuts.

From last year, load shedding has been introduced
in countries such as Namibia, South
Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Faced by mounting pressure from industry
and domestic consumers, South Africa's power
utility Eskom announced mid-January that it
would discontinue electricity exports to neighbouring
countries to meet local demand, although
a significant amount of its supply is
drawn from neighbouring countries, especially
Mozambique.
The Sunday Independent quoted Andrew Etzinger,
Eskom's chief of demand side management
as saying South Africa's electricity reserves
had dropped during the past year from
seven percent to minus 17 percent due to a decline
in generation performance. Etzinger said
it would take at least another seven years before
the situation could get back to normal.
“The fact is in this country, for a long time
we have had a surplus of electricity at a cheap
price – far cheaper than in other industrial nations.
So it has made sense for the giant investors,
whose plant needs massive amounts of
electricity, to invest here,” Etzinger told the
South African weekly.
“All that's happened now is that we have to
manage the resource differently. It is simply
going to cost investors more – this does not
mean that they have to halt their future projects,”
he added.
South African industrialists say the power
shortages have cost them billions of rands, especially
the mines and smelters which consume
most of the country's electricity.
Neighbouring countries such as Botswana,
Namibia and Swaziland, which relied on South
Africa for their energy supplies, have had to
turn to other sources in the region.
Swaziland, which imports 80 percent of its
electricity from South Africa, is currently in
talks with Mozambique; while Namibia and
Zimbabwe have put in place a power-sharing
deal that involves Nambian investment of
US$40million in the refurbishment of the
Hwange power station.
In a major development for the southern
African region, Mozambique recently took over ownership of the giant Cahora Bassa Dam and
the hydroelectric power company from former
colonial power, Portugal.
SADC member states agreed last year to fast
track short-term generation projects, which will
add 6,700 megawatts (MW) by 2010 to the regional
power grid at a cost of US$7.88 billion.
SAPP, which administers the regional power
network, predicted that beginning 2007, the
combined power generation reserve capacity in
the region would be lower than the peak demand.

In response, SADC Member States have initiated
a number of short, medium to long term
generation projects as well as some rehabilitation
projects that will guarantee the region the
much needed energy security.
Current installed capacity in the region is
53,000 MW of which dependable capacity is
only about 41,000 MW against demand of
42,000 MW.
The region requires a reserve margin of 10
percent if its economies are to operate smoothly.
With some of Africa's fastest growing
economies, SADC's electricity generation capacity
has not increased in tandem with the
growth in demand.
Available statistics show that power growth
demand in the region has averaged three percent
a year over the past decade on the back of
economic expansion of around five percent.
With the region having already run out of surplus
capacity, SAPP says the problem would likely
be overcome by 2010 if planned projects are
implemented and commissioned on schedule.
Energy security becomes more pertinent
given that the SADC Free Trade Area, which takes effect this year, is set to spur even more
growth in the region. SADC would also be seeking
to enhance its preparedness ahead of the
2010 Soccer World Cup.
If the current situation is to be brought
under control, southern African countries may
need to take heed of a famous statement by the
visionary Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.


Abstract:
SAPP, which manages the Southern African
energy grid connecting most of the landlocked
SADC Member States, has developed a
roadmap which seeks to address current challenges.

body:
SAPP, which manages the Southern African
energy grid connecting most of the landlocked
SADC Member States, has developed a
roadmap which seeks to address current challenges.
The SAPP roadmap seeks to boost southern
Africa's electricity generation capacity, with almost
50 short and long term projects underway
or planned for future development.
The long term generation projects alone are
expected to add 32,000 MW to the regional grid
at a cost of US$32 billion.
Notable inter-connectors include the Westcor
inter-connector extending from the Inga III
in DRC to Angola, Namibia, Botswana and onward
to South Africa.
Regional energy cooperation also seeks to
facilitate the development of other energy resources
such as biomass and biofuels, to augment
the power sector capacity.
There is also potential for the region to
strengthen self-sufficiency in petroleum and
gas resources by undertaking joint regional exploration
and development. sardc.net


Abstract:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool
(SAPP) was created in August 1995 at the
SADC summit held in Kempton Park, South
Africa, when member governments of SADC
(excluding Mauritius) signed an inter-Governmental
Memorandum of Understanding
for the formation of an electricity power pool
in the region.

body:
THE SOUTHERN African Power Pool
(SAPP) was created in August 1995 at the
SADC summit held in Kempton Park, South
Africa, when member governments of SADC
(excluding Mauritius) signed an inter-Governmental
Memorandum of Understanding
for the formation of an electricity power pool
in the region.
The ministers responsible for energy in
the SADC region signed the Revised Inter-
Governmental Memorandum of Understanding
on 23 February 2006.
The creation of SAPP confirmed the region's
commitment to expanding electricity
trade, reducing energy costs and providing
greater supply stability for the region's 12 national
utilities:
 Botswana Power Corporation (BPC);
 Electriçidade de Moçambique (EDM);
 Angola's Empresa Nacional de Electriçidade
(ENE);
 Electricity Supply Commission of
Malawi (Escom);
 South Africa's Eskom;
 Lesoth Electricity Corporation (LEC);
 Namibia's NamPower;
 Swaziland Electricity Board (SEB);
 Societe Nationale d'Electricite (SNEL) of
DRC;
 Tanzania Electricity Supply Company
(Tanesco);
 Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority
(ZESA); and
 Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation
(ZESCO).


The SAPP is governed by four agreements:
 Inter Governmental Memorandum of
Understanding which enabled the establishment
of SAPP;
 Inter-Utility Memorandum of Understanding,
which established SAPP's basic
management and operating principles;
 Agreement Between Operating Members
which established the specific rules
of operation and pricing; and
 Operating Guidelines, which provide
standards and operating guidelines.


title:
Status of the generation projects in the Southern African Power Pool

body:
Status of the generation projects in the Southern African Power Pool


Country Project Name Capacity [MW] Project Description Expected Date Expected Project Cost USD [million]



Angola Benguela 83 Gas Turbine Project. 2007 -
Capanda Phase 2 260 Development of the hydro-powerstation at Capanda. 2007 344


Gove 60 Rehabilitation of the dam and installation
of the power station. 2010 180



Botswana Morupule Expansion 600 Expansion of the
existing coal-fired plant. 2010 900



DRC Inga 2 800 Refurbishment of Inga hydro-electric project. 2007 452

Inga 1 110 Refurbishment 2007 78

Nseke 62 Starting project 2009 56
Koni 42 Refurbishment 2008 15
Mwadingusha 12 Refurbishment 2010 30
Zongo 75 Starting project 2010 6
Nzilo 27 Refurbishment 2009 28
Sanga 8 Refurbishment 2010 6



Malawi Tedzani 1&2 40 Rehabilitation 2007 17
Kaphichira
Phase-2 64 New hydro-plant 2009 50



Mozambique Mavuzi and Chicamba Projects 34 Long-term rehabilitation Projects 2009 30

Namibia Kudu 800 Construction of the power station 2010 640


South Africa Camden 1140 Rehabilitation 2008 848

Grootvlei 1140 Rehabilitation 2010 777

Komati 909 Rehabilitation 2010 987

Arnot 120 Upgrading 2007 63

Ankerlig OCGT 600 Upgrading 2007 240
Gourikwa 450 Upgrading 2007 180



Swaziland Maguga 20 Starting Project 2007 -


Tanzania Ubungo 60 Starting Project 2007 -
Kinyeredzi 200 Construction of gas powered project. 2007-9 190



Zambia Kafue Gorge 90 Upgrading 2008 50

Kariba North Bank 120 Upgrading 2009 60




Kariba North Bank Extension 360 Construction of a hydro-electric power
station. 2009 300


Itezhi-Tezhi 120 Construction 2010 142



Zimbabwe Hwange Rehabilitation 400 Implementation in progress. 2008 40


Kariba South Extension 300 Expansion of Kariba power station 2010 300

Hwange Expansion 600 Expansion of existing generation station 2010 600

Mini-hydro Generation 120 Construction of mini-hydro-power 2009 -

KEY New Short and Long Term Generation Projects Rehabilitation Projects
The table deals with the rehabilitation, short-term generation projects and long-term generation projects up to 2010. Due to the
current power shortages faced in the SADC region, the table provides the projects that are underway, but not those beyond 2010.
Source Southern African Power Pool


title:
Namibia reaps benefits of regional energy cooperation

Abstract:
NAMIBIA STARTED receiving
40 megawatts of power from
Zimbabwe's Hwange Power Station
in January as part of a multimillion-
dollar deal signed in 2007
between NamPower and Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(Zesa).

body:
NAMIBIA STARTED receiving
40 megawatts of power from
Zimbabwe's Hwange Power Station
in January as part of a multimillion-
dollar deal signed in 2007
between NamPower and Zimbabwe
Electricity Supply Authority
(Zesa).
The power started flowing on
3 January following the completion
of the refurbishment of the
Hwange Power Station in northwestern
Zimbabwe.
Last year NamPower signed a
US$40 million power purchase
agreement with Zesa under
which it extended a loan to the
power utility to resuscitate four
units at Hwange Power Station.
NamPower is responsible for
funding equipment procurement
and labour costs while ZESA
caters for local costs. Under the
agreement Namibia would receive
150 megawatts from the
coal-fired power station.
NamPower managing director,
Paulinus Shilamba said the
power purchase agreement with
Zimbabwe was a timely arrangement
for a country that has previously
solely relied on South
Africa for electricity imports.
South Africa's power utility,
Eskom, has since the beginning of
the year struggled to meet both
domestic and regional demand.
Shilamba said the 40
megawatts would cushion
Namibia when Eskom fails to
supply the required amount of
power.
Electricity from Hwange
Power Station is being routed to
Namibia through South Africa
until NamPower's Caprivi Link
Interconnector is operational.
The Namibian economy was
severely crippled by the shortage
of power in South Africa over the
past three years, including an incident
two years ago when
Eskom's Koeberg Power Station
was damaged and had to be shut
down for several months.


Namibia has been forced to activate
its old power stations in
Walvis Bay and Windhoek to  avert serious electricity shortages
during the past three years. However,
the output from the two
power stations remains insufficient
to meet domestic demand.
The south-west African country
has in recent years pursued alternative
sources of power such
as Mozambique's Cahora Bassa as
well as Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The government is also focusing
on major projects such as the Kudu gas-to-power project, the
Lower Kunene hydropower
scheme and the Caprivi Link interconnector
into Zambia.
NamPower last year announced
plans involving
Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and
Zimbabwe to link Hwange Power
Station to Victoria Falls via
Botswana and Namibia.
The project, known as Zizabona,
will complete the link and create a corridor for power import
and export to the four countries.
“Zizabona will create the alternative
route for power import
from neighbouring countries,”
NamPower spokesperson, John
Kaimu said.


title:
Countries turn to bio-diesel as
volatility hits international oil market

Abstract:
SADC Member States are turning
to bio-diesel as volatility
rocks the international oil market.
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and
South Africa have led the search
for alternative sources of fuel to
cushion their economies from
the wild swings in international
oil prices.

body:
SADC Member States are turning
to bio-diesel as volatility
rocks the international oil market.
Zimbabwe, Mozambique and
South Africa have led the search
for alternative sources of fuel to
cushion their economies from
the wild swings in international
oil prices.
Zimbabwe pioneered Africa's
commercial bio-diesel production
when it launched the continent's
first bio-fuels plant in the
capital, Harare.
The plant uses seeds from the
fuel-rich jatropha shrub and is
expected to produce about 100
million litres of bio-diesel at full
throttle.
Mozambique's state-owned
petroleum company, Petromoc,
has also announced plans to implement
a US$550-million biofuels
project expected to produce
up to 226 million litres of fuel
and create about 800 jobs.
The plant will use sugar cane
and jatropha which will be
planted on about 74,000 hectares
of land as part of the joint project
with Cofamosa, which represents
200 Mozambican and
South African farmers.
In addition to domestic consumption,
Mozambique also
hopes to export biofuels to fellow
SADC Member States and
other African countries.
South Africa has also been exploring
prospects of full-scale
bio-diesel production amid indications
that world oil prices
could continue to rise.
International fuel prices have
hovered around US$90 per barrel
since peaking at US$100 at
the beginning of the year.


Abstract:
An international mining company
has announced initial
results of prospects containing 20
million pounds of uranium, giving
further impetus to the opening
of the first-ever uranium mine
in Botswana.

body:
An international mining company
has announced initial
results of prospects containing 20
million pounds of uranium, giving
further impetus to the opening
of the first-ever uranium mine
in Botswana.
The prospects, which form
part of the larger Letlhakane
project in the northeast of the
country, come from a resource
covering an area of approximately
six kms by three kms, and extends
from the surface to a depth
of 45 metres.
The company, A-Cap Resources,
announced last year that
it had discovered new uranium
deposits in Serule and intended to
fast-track the exploration programme
in Botswana on the back
of positive drilling results. It encountered
high-grade uranium
mineralisation of up to 10,000
parts per million in a new zone on
the eastern edge of the Mokobaesi
prospect.
Uranium, which is used in nuclear
weapons manufacturing
and as an alternative source of energy,
is currently in huge demand
the world over. Due to its increased
demand which outstrips
supply by a wide margin, prices
of the mineral has rose sharply
from about $10 per lb in 2002 to
over $100 per lb at present.
With world net electricity consumption
expected to nearly double
over the next two decades,
some 30 new nuclear reactors are
being built with expansion fastest
in developing Asia, including
China and India.
A-Cap Resources has operations
in Botswana, Australia and
China.


title:
Learning to live with floods -
Early warning and communication vital

Abstract:
“WITH THE floods we learn not
only how to deal with the land,
the water and the grass, but also
how to think of the use of physical
space for economic growth,
and reorganise the community in
terms of the challenges and opportunities
that arise…”

body:
“WITH THE floods we learn not
only how to deal with the land,
the water and the grass, but also
how to think of the use of physical
space for economic growth,
and reorganise the community in
terms of the challenges and opportunities
that arise…”
Speaking at Mozambique's
Eduardo Mondlane University in
2001, the late Dr José Negrão told
his audience that the country had
to learn to live with the floods.
This was instructive because
the previous year Mozambique
had suffered its worst floods
since the mid-1970s.
Fast-forward to 2008.

Fresh floods have hit southern
African countries throughout
the Zambezi River basin.
Angola, Malawi, Mozambique,
Zambia and Zimbabwe are the
most affected thus far.
Following forecasts of above
normal rainfall by the Southern
African Climate Outlook Forum
last year, governments made
contingency plans to offset and
mitigate the impacts of the possible
floods, in line with SADC
recommendations.
The SADC Secretariat has
been in the forefront of plans to
establish an improved communications
and early warning system
in the region.
SADC Executive Secretary
Tomáz Salomão told reporters
in the Mozambican capital, Maputo,
that it is important for
countries upstream and downstream
of major regional rivers
to exchange information in
order to plan joint action as
agreed in the SADC Revised
Protocol on Shared Watercourses.
Salomão said that in planning
for development, SADC countries
must put into place mechanisms
designed to tackle natural disasters,
which encompass mitigation
activities such as rescue operations
and assistance to the victims.
The Executive Secretary was
heading a SADC mission travelling
through the five countries
to learn firsthand of the impacts
of the floods.
He said that countries have
strengthened their disaster preparedness
mechanisms, and that
most of the populations living
along river banks have been rescued
and placed in safer places.

A more effective early warning
response and better cooperation
between regional governments
has led to a dramatically
reduced death toll in the flooding
that has hit the region this season.
Although this season has
brought some of the “heaviest
rains in living memory” in most
countries in the region, the
death toll and damage to infrastructure
and property has been
vastly reduced compared to previous
seasons.
Mozambique has been
praised by the international community
for its preparedness, rooted
in its previous harsh experiences.
As a downstream country
which suffers most from flooding,
Mozambique has managed
the 2008 floods without declaring
an emergency, a sign that it is
possible to live with the floods.
The SADC Council of Ministers
meeting at the end of February
is expected to approve a draft
recommendation to Heads of
State and Government to ensure
that each country's efforts are
complemented by the Secretariat
activities to attract financial institutions
into backing them.


Abstract:
NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL
service departments in
the region are driving a process
to establish a Meteorological
Association of Southern Africa.

body:
NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL
service departments in
the region are driving a process
to establish a Meteorological
Association of Southern Africa.
The process has been adopted
by SADC and currently includes
10 of the 14 Member
States with four others still consulting
at national level.
Climate expert and director
of the Zimbabwe Meteorological
Services Department,
Amos Makarau commended
the decision by regional meteorological
departments to establish
the association which
will be responsible for issuing
regional climate forecasts.
The association will also
look at issues of climate variability
and climate change in
southern Africa.
“Many climate models are
indicating that the region will
be drier but we are constantly
experiencing floods so this as association
will be of great value
to the study of climate change
and variability with important
implications for planning in the
region,” said Makarau.
This season's floods have
been attributed to the La Niña
phenomenon which is characterised
by a cooling of sea surface
temperatures in the equatorial
Pacific Ocean and has significant
impacts on rainfall patterns
in the whole world, causing very
heavy rains in southern Africa.
“Unlike the El Niño effect
which is more periodical, occurring
every four to five years,
La Niña events are less frequent,
irregular and when they
occur their impacts can be quite
significant” said Makarau.
The efforts by the region's meteorological
experts resonate
with efforts at the global level to
improve the ability to forecast
changes in climate and cope with
extreme weather patterns.


title:
SADC region on high
alert as more flooding
is forecast

Abstract:
SOUTHERN AFRICA has
been warned to brace for
more and heavier rains as the
peak of the rainfall season approaches.

body:
SOUTHERN AFRICA has
been warned to brace for
more and heavier rains as the
peak of the rainfall season approaches.
The rainfall season
in most of southern Africa
stretches from October to
March with a peak in late February.
A forecast for the period
January to March 2008 issued
by the SADC Drought
Monitoring Centre warns of
heavy rainfall across most
parts of mainland SADC and
Madagascar. Mauritius is expected
to receive normal to
above normal rainfall during
the same period


Abstract:
DELEGATES GATHERED at the UN World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO) meeting in Geneva in early February stressed
the importance for governments and scientists to improve climate
prediction capabilities to save lives and protect economies.

body:
DELEGATES GATHERED at the UN World Meteorological Organisation
(WMO) meeting in Geneva in early February stressed
the importance for governments and scientists to improve climate
prediction capabilities to save lives and protect economies.
The three-day meeting sought to prepare for the third World
Climate Conference, to be held next year in Switzerland. The previous
conferences have been major events:
 the first, in 1979, led to the creation of the UN Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change in 1988; and
 the second, in 1990, helped to generate momentum towards
the establishment of the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change in 1992.


The 2009 conference will focus on climate prediction and its
impact on decision-making.


title:
New impetus to regional infrastructure
development

Abstract:
SADC HAS committed to embark
on radical measures to
strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the
process of implementing its regional
integration programme.

body:
SADC HAS committed to embark
on radical measures to
strengthen infrastructure development
and speed up the
process of implementing its regional
integration programme.
At their Summit last year in
Zambia, SADC leaders expressed
concern at the slow
pace of implementing goals
and targets to achieve regional
integration and eradicate
poverty.
Summit directed the SADC
Secretariat to work out the details
of a regional Master Plan
for Infrastructure Development
in close cooperation with Member
States.
The SADC Chairperson,
President Levy Mwanawasa of
Zambia said regional integration
is hampered by inadequate
infrastructure in the key sectors
of energy, transport, communication,
water and tourism.
The leaders noted that Member
States lack financial capacity
to rehabilitate regional infrastructure
and fund new projects,  despite the region being well
placed to receive long-term investment
necessary for infrastructure
development given
the peaceful environment.
The Summit called for financial
support from the private
sector and the international
community to complement regional
efforts.
Efficient and effective transboundary
infrastructure facilities
in all key service sectors including
assured energy security
is vital if southern Africa is to deepen regional integration and
improve access for the benefit of
its 240 million citizens, thereby
reducing poverty.


