STAFF WRITER
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intensify efforts on growing their economies and building value chains for minerals to improve job creation and export raw materials.
Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the SADC heads of state and governments for the first time over the weekend in Madagascar.
Madagascar has now taken over the rotational chairmanship of the regional bloc.
“Our Community was set up with the objective of the Economic Liberation of Southern Africa, through common action. Today, I therefore pledge my unwavering commitment to the goals and principles of our regional organisation, the hope and aspirations of our people.
“Together, we must join hands and work tirelessly to fulfill our fundamental responsibility, to
advance initiatives and programs that promote sustainable development, foster sustained economic growth and address the pressing challenges we face as a region. Our collective efforts must always aim to improve the living conditions of all our people across SADC region in a tangible way and address the social challenges they face,” she said.
She said the objectives of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2030 – 2050 and the SADC Vision 2050 cannot be realised if the region is still struggling with hunger and unemployment.
“We must, therefore, in line with the theme of this Summit work together with urgency and compassion, to ensure that food security in our region is not just a goal on paper, but a reality in every home, across the region. We must also empower the youth with skills, enabling them to compete with their peers worldwide, particularly in the area of creative industry, ICT and digital innovation,” she said.
She added that , “ There is a compelling need to enhance value addition to our region’s critical raw minerals, including through regional value chains, before they are exported beyond the SADC region.”
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah such a move will strengthen regional economies, create jobs, and retain more benefits from natural resources.
“This would help to create employment opportunities to empower and build a brighter future for our people.
“The Southern African Development Community started as an organ of peace and security which was formed to secure the security of the Front Line States. Similarly, our developmental aspiration cannot be realized without strengthening the infrastructure for peace, security, and good governance,” she added l.
The Namibian president said improved infrastructure is a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.
.Without peace, there is no progress, no safety for families, no hope for children and no growth for our economies. Hence, we must remain concerned about the persistent security challenges in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“The ongoing instability threatens to reverse the hard-won gains of peace and development across the region. We must therefore redouble our collective efforts and demonstrate stronger political will to ensure that peace prevails, particularly for the women and children of the DRC, who deserve nothing more than to live peacefully in safety and dignity,” she said
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