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AS President Mnangagwa concludes his tenure as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) today, the region pauses to reflect on a stewardship that was both purposeful and defining.
His leadership came at a critical juncture for the bloc, when regional integration, peace and economic resilience demanded more than rhetorical commitments; they required practical, results-driven leadership.
He consistently reminded the region that SADC’s strength lies in its solidarity, that the challenges faced by one member are shared issues by all, and that collective solutions are always superior to isolated efforts.
This ethos is among the most enduring lessons of his leadership.
In fact, President Mnangagwa’s leadership, which gives vital lessons for future SADC leaders, was anchored on important pillars for the region’s success.
He emphasised on regional industrialisation and modernisation that add value locally rather than exporting raw materials.
During his tenure, President Mnangagwa always implored the region to advance technological and educational transformation that builds skills for local manufacturing and innovation.
In infrastructure, he pushed for a multi-sectoral infrastructure pairing of energy, connectivity and environmental resilience to enable the region to catch up quickly in technological advancement.
His tenure was characterised by efforts in conflict prevention, anchored in diplomacy and African unity.
Additionally, he led by example in good governance that anchored regional integration in public trust.
President Mnangagwa succeeded in positioning SADC not merely as a loose grouping of states, but as a family of nations bound by a shared destiny.
His legacy reminds us that in an increasingly complex world, collaboration, dialogue and a shared vision are not just ideals; they are essential for the survival and prosperity of the Southern African region.
One of the most striking aspects of his chairpersonship was his firm commitment to peace and stability, not only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in the entire region.
Recognising that the conflict in the DRC posed not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a potential threat to the security architecture of the entire region, President Mnangagwa helped galvanise regional support for mediation and peace-building efforts.
Under his watch, SADC demonstrated its ability to rise above internal divisions and speak with one voice in the pursuit of regional stability.
President Mnangagwa reminded SADC that economic cooperation cannot remain a lofty ideal, but must be translated into cross-border trade facilitation, industrialisation and shared infrastructure development.
His tenure was marked by a call for the region to quicken the pace of implementing its blueprints for integration, not just to strengthen competitiveness in a globalised economy, but to insulate SADC economies from external shocks.
What made President Mnangagwa’s leadership unique was the balance he struck between pragmatism and vision.
He was never content with grand pronouncements without actionable follow-through.
Instead, he articulated a sober understanding of the region’s constraints, while urging members to harness their collective potential.
His language was often that of a seasoned statesman — grounded, deliberate and infused with the wisdom that regional progress is always incremental.
It underscores the importance of prioritising unity in diversity, ensuring that the bloc continues to speak with one voice on matters of regional importance.
President Mnangagwa’s leadership of SADC teaches the necessity of balancing political stability with economic development, for the two are inseparable in building resilient societies.
Most of all, it reminds us all that leadership in SADC must rise above national interests to serve the broader vision of a prosperous, integrated and peaceful Southern Africa.
President Mnangagwa pushed the recognition that no country in the region can thrive in isolation.
Future SADC chairpersons must embrace this principle, understanding that collaboration is not merely a strategic choice, but a necessity in today’s interconnected world.
As he passes the baton today, President Mnangagwa leaves behind a legacy of optimism and renewed purpose.
His tenure may not have solved all the challenges facing the region, but it reasserted SADC’s relevance as a platform for collective action and solidarity. The measure of his chairpersonship will be felt in the years to come, as the seeds of unity, peace and integration he nurtured continue to grow.
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