On this SADC Day 2026, I extend warm greetings to the people of Southern Africa.
I invite you all to celebrate this important moment of commemoration – a moment that belongs to us all, united by a shared history, common aspirations and a collective commitment to a better future.
Today, we celebrate Southern Africa itself – a region of vast landscapes where winter gives way to renewal; where the great waterways of the Zambezi, Limpopo and Okavango bind our nations across natural frontiers; and where wildlife moves in quiet harmony across borders. I extend greetings to our Member States, our eminent special guests, international cooperating partners, private sector stakeholders and all who continue to advance the ideals of regional integration, unity and shared prosperity.
This year’s commemoration coincides with the 46th SADC Summit, convening in the city of eThekwini, in the historic heartland of King Shaka kaSenzangakhona. His legacy of leadership and statecraft stands as a powerful reminder that unity, strategic foresight and collective strength have long shaped our region. As we mark forty-six years since the founding of our community, we are reminded that our destinies are profoundly interconnected.
Our shared resilience – tempered through hardship and strengthened by adversity – continues to anchor our journey. The theme of this year’s SADC Summit is “Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World.” This theme captures both the aspirations and the evolving capabilities of our region.
It reflects our determination to advance industrialisation, strengthen food security, expand value addition and build modern, integrated infrastructure. Above all, it affirms the principle that our development must be driven by our own resources, our own people and our own vision. Regional integration is an indispensable instrument for economic transformation.
Trade is a catalyst for industrialisation, job creation and economic empowerment. To unlock the full potential of intra-regional trade, we need to strengthen value chains, reduce non-tariff barriers, enhance trade facilitation and increase investment in productive sectors. The future of Southern Africa depends on our collective ability to accelerate beneficiation, support small and medium-sized enterprises and create opportunities for our growing and dynamic youth population. The African Continental Free Trade Area presents a historic platform to position SADC as a competitive, integrated and industrialised economic hub.
In a global environment marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate challenges and intensifying competition for strategic resources, the peoples of Southern Africa must deepen political cohesion and economic cooperation. We are encouraged that our region remains defined by relative peace and stability, foundations that are essential for development and growth. We extend our appreciation to the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, to the men and women who continue to put their lives in harm’s way in our peace missions, and to all SADC institutions and personnel who work tirelessly to safeguard these gains.
Over the years, SADC has made meaningful progress across key sectors, reflecting the collective will of Member States to translate shared commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of our people. As Chairperson of SADC, South Africa reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing this shared agenda in close partnership with all Member States.
Guided by SADC Vision 2050, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 and the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap, our focus remains firmly on implementation, coordination and measurable impact. In a rapidly changing world, it is essential that we deepen regional unity and cohesion, and project a coherent, collective voice in global affairs.
At its core, SADC is defined by its people – by their resilience, ingenuity and enduring hope for a better future. The true measure of our progress lies in the lived experiences of our citizens. As we commemorate SADC Day 2026, I call upon all in our region to celebrate the enduring bonds that unite us and to renew our collective commitment to building a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Southern Africa.
I wish all the people of our region a meaningful, reflective and inspiring SADC Day. I thank you.
