Page 11 - 41st Summit Brochure

FOREWORD

THE CITY of Lilongwe in Malawi invokes a lot of memories for me.
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This is the city where I was sworn-in as the 6 Executive
Secretary of SADC. On that historic day on 18 August 2013, I also
became the first woman to assume the post of SADC Executive
Secretary – a clear testimony of the region’s commitment to promote
gender equality and an affirmation that women are as capable as
their male counterparts.
It is a huge honour for me to return to this beautiful city of
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Lilongwe for the 41 SADC Heads of State and Government Summit
on 17-18 August 2021 to bid my farewell to the SADC Family after
serving the SADC Secretariat for eight years.
A BIG THANK YOUto my Government, the Government of the United Republic
of Tanzania, and all SADC leaders for giving me this opportunity to serve the region.
My gratitude also goes to SADC citizens, cooperation partners, private sector and non-
state actors, and my colleagues at the SADC Secretariat for their unwavering support
during my tenure.
My eight-year tenure which started on 1 September 2013 and renewed as of 1
September 2017 has been worthwhile, obviously with ups and downs, I gave all my best
within my capabilities to advance the regional integration agenda of SADC. I chronicle
in greater detail some of the key milestones achieved and challenges encountered in the
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Question-and-Answer section contained in this publication.
This year’s Summit, held under the theme of Bolstering Productive Capacities in the
Face of COVID-19 Pandemic for Inclusive, Sustainable, Economic and Industrial
Transformation, comes at a time when the region and the rest of the global community are
reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, I must commend SADC
Member States for putting in place various measures to contain COVID-19 and its socio-
economic impacts. COVID-19 remains a global challenge for all. We must continue to work
together in addressing the pandemic, COVID-19 knows no boundaries.
Since 2014, SADC Summits have focused on industrialization, and it is thus befitting
that this year’s theme continues with the industrialization trajectory, particularly now that
the regional integration agenda has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other
challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the need for Africa and SADC
to industrialize and enhance trade among ourselves now, more than ever. It is, therefore,
critical for SADC to tackle and seize any hard realities or threats posed by the COVID-19
pandemic and turn them into opportunities for emboldening industrialization and intra-
SADC and intra-Africa trade. An increased demand for medicines and medical supplies
during and post the COVID-19 period points to the importance for SADC to strengthen
its research capability, enhance its pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and to develop
vaccines, while also promoting alternative medicines.
As the pandemic remains a challenge, it is critical that SADC Member States
continue to assess the sectoral socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, and respond
with appropriate measures. This will enable the region to ensure that the disruption does
not seriously negate achievements realized in integration, including in the
industrialization drive of the region.
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During the year 2020, SADC celebrated its 40 anniversary and a number of
milestones since its formation in April 1980. The milestones have been documented in
a publication titled 40 Years of SADC: Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Integration,