Niël Terblanché
In a decisive move to amplify the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) presence on a global scale, officials tasked with Information, Communication, and Public Relations across Member States received focused training during a workshop in Swakopmund.
The initiative, spearheaded by the SADC Secretariat, aims to elevate the communication, awareness, and visibility of the organization’s programmes, activities and impacts both within the region and internationally.
Ambassador António Nascimento, the Director of Institutional Communications and Press at the Ministry of External Relations of Angola (MIREX), during his welcoming address, stressed the necessity for member states to work together and share information to spotlight the progress SADC has made. Ambassador Nascimento pointed out the diplomatic missions of the SADC member states and described these missions as vital channels for broadening awareness about the organization.
The workshop stressed the critical role that modern forms of communication play in reaching a diverse and global audience, aligning with the objectives outlined in the SADC Regional Development Indicative Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030.
According to Ambassador Nascimento, the plan serves as the blueprint for SADC’s regional integration and development agenda, underlining the importance of enhancing the organization’s communication, visibility, and awareness.
Barbara Lopi, the Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, pointed out the instrumental role embassies, high commissions, and diplomatic missions play in disseminating SADC’s messages worldwide.
She mentioned that leveraging these diplomatic channels could significantly contribute to achieving the RISDP 2020-2030 goals.
The SADC, a regional body comprising 16 member states with a market of approximately 389 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about US$841 billion, is poised for trade, investment opportunities, and economic growth. Such potential can lead to the enhancement of livelihoods across the region.
Ambassador Rofina Chikava, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe highlighted the timeliness of the workshop as Zimbabwe gears up to assume the Chair of SADC at the forthcoming 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August 2024.
Ambassador Chikava expressed hope about the potential of the workshop’s contribution to enriching the skill set of participants, ensuring the SADC brand’s visibility and awareness for a Common Future.
The workshop concluded with a resolution among participants to strengthen collaboration and information sharing between the SADC Secretariat and the Ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs.
