KWAZULU-NATAL — The 46th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) officially opened in Durban, with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering a decisive call for regional unity and accelerated sustainable industrialisation. Hosting the high-level gathering, South Africa has centered the agenda on infrastructure development, agricultural transformation, and the beneficiation of critical minerals to foster equitable growth across the region.
The summit, held at the Durban International Convention Centre, commenced with a cultural celebration emphasizing Southern African unity. Acclaimed South African poet Lebo Mashile opened the proceedings with a dedicated poetic reflection on the region’s shared history, interconnectedness, and collective aspirations. Her performance was followed by cultural presentations highlighting South Africa’s heritage, establishing a reflective tone for the diplomatic discussions ahead.
In his welcoming address, President Cyril Ramaphosa framed the gathering as a meeting of partners and custodians of a shared Southern African destiny. He underscored the historical significance of the location and timing, noting that Durban is the city where the African Union was officially launched 24 years ago. Furthermore, the summit coincides exactly 34 years after the SADC Declaration and Treaty were signed in Windhoek, Namibia, on 17 August 1992.
President Ramaphosa stated that these milestones should challenge current leaders to accelerate the building of an integrated and prosperous region. He highlighted tangible progress made through the SADC Free Trade Area, the SADC Real-Time Gross Settlement System, and the Southern African Power Pool. However, he cautioned that the pace of transformation remains insufficient.
Addressing the urgent needs of the populace, President Ramaphosa emphasized that citizens demand decent jobs, growing industries, reliable electricity, affordable food, quality healthcare, education, and youth opportunities. He asserted that regional communiqués must translate directly into construction sites, factories, power lines, water systems, laboratories, businesses, and jobs.
Drawing on the historical roots of SADC, the President reminded attendees that the community originated in solidarity against colonialism, minority rule, and apartheid. He urged leaders to apply this same spirit to deepen regional economic integration, strengthen energy cooperation, develop climate-resilient food systems, and maximize the opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On the subject of regional stability, President Ramaphosa stressed that peace and democratic stability are prerequisites for growth, stating, “Peace without development is fragile. Development without peace is impossible.” He advocated for increased investment in preventive diplomacy, mediation, and political dialogue. In line with this, he expressed firm solidarity with the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding the ongoing Ebola outbreak, urging stronger regional preparedness and an immediate humanitarian response.
Illustrating the strength of the bloc, President Ramaphosa employed the metaphor of a river system. He described each member state as a tributary with its own unique history, identity, and strength. He clarified that deeper regional integration does not diminish national sovereignty; rather, like a tributary joining a great river, it multiplies the collective capacity to secure the well-being of the people.
Concluding his address, President Ramaphosa challenged the assembly to ensure the summit is remembered for implemented decisions rather than mere declarations. He urged leaders to turn borders into bridges, resources into industries, the youthful population into a demographic dividend, and solidarity into shared prosperity, before officially declaring the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government open.