InsideSADC

Over 41.4m are food insecure...... 2

SADC-EU partnership signed...... 4

Competition Authorities ............. .5

Plant Protection is necessary ........7

Education, Science, Technology... 8

Energy and water workshop....... 12

In thisissue

Editorial TeamDirectorates of:OrganTIFIPPRMFANRHR & AdminInfrastructure and Services

The Double Troika Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Com-munity (SADC) was held in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana on 28 June 2016.The Summit was convened to receive progress report on the implementation of SADC Decisions in relation to the political situation in the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The Summit received a report presented by the Government of the Kingdom of

Lesotho regarding progress made on the implementation of Summit Decisions, and urged the Kingdom of Lesotho to urgently fulfill her commit-ments through demonstrable imple-mentation of SADC decisions. The Kingdom of Lesotho was tasked to ensure that the Constitutional and Secu-rity Sector Reforms process is compre-hensively inclusive, involving all stake-holders in the Kingdom.

SADC Discusses Lesotho

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SADC Chairperson, President of Botswana Dr. Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama (right) with SADC Deputy Chairperson, King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland during the Summit in Gaborone

SADC Secretariat Monthly Newsletter Issue 6 June 30, 2016

Inside SADC 1

Contributorsto this issue

Gender equality necessaryFisheries and Aquaculture Media trained on trafficking

By Barbara Lopi Communications andAwareness Expert - Water

An estimated 41 million people - 23 per cent - of the 181 million rural populations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region are food insecure, and out of this figure, more than 21 million are in urgent need of assistance.

This is according to the Vulnerability Assessment Results released on 10 June 2016 at the 10th SADC Meeting of Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (RVAA) held in Pretoria, South Africa. The Report also revealed that nearly 2.7 million children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and this figure is expected to rise significantly if support to vulnerable population is not immediately provided.

“We are deeply concerned about the scale of food insecurity in the region. We are experiencing the worst drought in the last 35 years. I call upon Member States and our development partners to act now, to avoid a further deterioration of the situation. People continue to lose their means of survival and we can lose lives if we do not act now,” said SADC

Director for Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs. Margaret Nyirenda.

The SADC region has been hit by a devastating El Niño-induced drought, the worst in 35 years, following the failure of two consecutive rainy seasons.The severe drought conditions have already taken toll on lives and livelihoods and the situation could deteriorate further if urgent assistance is not provided. Almost half a million drought-related livestock deaths have been reported in Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe alone. Water sources and reservoirs are severely depleted, forcing communities and their livestock to use untreated water sources.

The severe drought conditions have resulted in widespread crop failure and a decrease in cultivated area. Cereal harvest assessments indicate a nearly 9.6 million metric ton shortfall in production, with only 72 per cent of required cereals available in the region (excluding DRC, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania). South Africa, usually the main producer of maize in the region, is facing an estimated 2.6 million metric tons of deficit. Food prices continue to

spike. Zambia is the only country currently forecasting a cereal surplus (556,000 tons) during the 2016/17 marketing year.

There are concerns about the most vulnerable communities, and especially people living with HIV and AIDS, with the region being the global epicentre of the AIDS pandemic. Lack of food and other factors could aggravate the fragile nutrition situation of vulnerable groups including people on HIV or TB treatment. Similarly, the closure of health facilities due to lack of water is likely to affect ART access and may reverse the gains made in the prevention of mother to child transmissions. The October 2016 to March 2017 lean season is projected to be the peak of the current food insecurity. While the crop harvests from April 2016 could provide some relief, this will quickly be exhausted.

Meanwhile, there is an above 70 per cent chance of a La Niña phenomenon by late 2016. This may help reduce water deficits, as well as potentially improve recovery of the agricultural sector. The prediction of La Niña also implies a likely increased risk of floods.

Over 41.4 million people in theSADC region are food insecure

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Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

The Kingdom of Lesotho was also to develop and present a comprehensive roadmap with clear time frames on the implementation of all SADC decisions and submit a report with tangible progress to the 2016 August Summit.

The Summit approved the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Oversight Committee, to serve as an early warn-ing mechanism, and to provide assistance in the implementation of the Constitutional, Security and Public Sector Reforms. The Committee will be headed by the Republic of Mozam-bique in her capacity as the Chairper-son of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation

The Summit commended the Chairper-son of SADC, and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, for their commitment and efforts towards bring-

ing lasting political and security stabil-ity to the Kingdom of Lesotho.The Summit released a Communique to inform the general public about the outcomes of the gathering.

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Lesotho

Summit in progress

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Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

Dr Motseki HlatshwayoTechnical Advisor/Programme Officer: Fisheries

The SADC Directors of Fisheries and Aquaculture met to discuss progress in the domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries which was signed by the Heads of State and Government in 2001 and entered into force in 2003.

The SADC Technical Committee on Fisheries is the Committee established in terms of Article 19 of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries to oversee the implementation of the Protocol, mainly strategies, plans and programmes developed towards domestication of this Protocol. The Technical Committee meets annually to direct and review the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme of Work. Over and above the Technical Committee is a platform to network and share information and experiences. This has become an important institution to solicit support and propose cooperation with different partners.

In attendance were 12 SADC Member States, and these included Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The African Development Bank (AfDB), African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC), Stop Illegal Fishing (SIF), World Fish Centre (WFC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM), together with fisheries and aquaculture experts and consultants from Botswana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda were also in attendance.

The Technical Committee reviewed the current status of fisheries resources in the Region and further committed to

continue domestication of the SADC Protocol on Fisheries. The meeting also provided a platform for popularization of the SADC Revised Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap and the SADC Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) and its draft Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP). The Committee was also updated on continental work towards implementation of the Policy Framework and Reform Strategy for Fisheries and Aquaculture in Africa (PFRS).

Furthermore, the Technical Committee reviewed and recommended the draft SADC Regional Aquaculture Strategy and Action Plan, the Draft SADC Regional Framework on Environmental Management for Sustainable Aquaculture, and the draft Charter for the establishment of the Regional Fisheries Monitoring Control and Surveillance Coordination Centre for Southern Africa for approval by the SADC Committee of Ministers of Environment and Natural Resources Management which will take place later in this year. The Committee also reviewed and adopted proposed Technical Cooperation Programme between SADC Secretariat and FAO for a project titled “Strengthening

capacity of SADC Secretariat in implementing the SADC Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme”. Furthermore three technical reports were reviewed and adopted: a) Role of Fisheries in Food and Nutrition Security in the SADC region, b) Mapping of Aquatic Animal Diseases in the SADC region, and c) Fish Trade Program: corridor analysis for Southern Africa.

The meeting also discussed the proposed “AfDB/SADC Cooperation in Sustainable Fisheries Management and Aquaculture Development and their contribution to the Blue Economy”, and commended the two organizations for this initiative.

This meeting was also dedicated as a platform to commemorate the four SADC countries, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, which have ratified the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (PMSA), which entered into force on the 5th of June 2016, after reaching and surpassing the threshold of activation (25 countries). The SADC Technical Committee meeting was supported by AU-IBAR and WFC through funding from the European Union (EU).

SADC convenes the 35th Meeting of theDirectors of Fisheries and Aquaculture

Dr. Hlatshwayo (second from right) facilitating the meeting from the top table and flanked by senior officials

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The European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner, Ms. Cecilia Malmstrom visited the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat on the 8th June 2016. The Commissioner held discussions with the SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax regarding the implementation of the SADC Economic Agreement and how it will contribute to the SADC’s regional agenda on industrialization and economic integration. Dr. Tax welcomed the Commissioner and her delegation to the SADC Secretariat and thanked the EU for the continued

cooperation and support to the SADC region. She informed the Commissioner that SADC was keen to continue the mutual cooperation with the European Union.

"The scheduled signing of the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between six (6) SADC member States and the European Union on the 10th June 2016 at Kasane, Botswana, is further testimony of SADC's commitment to closer cooperation with the EU", she added. The SADC-EU EPAs will provide, among others, the implementation of guaranteed duty

free, quota-free market access to the EU for goods from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Swaziland. South Africa will also have improved preferential treatment for their products over and above what is already covered by the EU-South Africa Trade and Development Cooperation Agreement into the EU market. The Commissioner was accompanied by the European Union Ambassador to Botswana and SADC, His Excellency Alexander Baum, member of her Cabinet, Ms. Cecile Billaux, the Trade Counsellor of the EU Delegation, Mr. John Taylor and Mr. Jocelin Cornet.

SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreementto boost SADC's industrialization agenda

The signing ceremony of the European Union-Southern African Development Community Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-SADC EPA) took place today at Kasane, Botswana on 10th June 2016.

Hon. Ministers; Vincent T, Seretse of the Republic of Botswana, Joshua Setipa of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Enersto Max Tonela of the Republic Mozambique and Immanuel Ngatjizeko the Republic of Namibia, Dr. Rob Davis of the Republic South Africa, signed for their respective countries while. Mr. Jinno Nkhambule, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry signed on behalf of the Kingdom of Swaziland.

The Representative of the EU Presidency, H.E. Marisa Gerards and EU Commissioner for Trade, Ms. Cecilia Malmstrom signed on behalf of the EU. The Executive Secretary for SADC was represented by Director of Trade Industry, Finance and Investment, Ms. Boitumelo Gofhamodimo. Also in attendance were the Executive

Secretary of Southern African Custom Union Ms. Paulina Elago-Mbaya, Kasane leadership, some EU and SADC EPA States Ambassadors accredited to Botswana, Parastatals, Private sector as well as other senior government officials.

Economic Partnership Agreement signed

Hon. Seretse and Ms. Malmstrom (right) with the documents afterthe signing of the agreement

Ms. Malmstrom (far right) accompanied by delegates from the European Union

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Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

Competition Authorities of SADC Member States signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Inter-Agency Cooperation in Competition Policy, Law and Enforcement on the 26th of May 2016 in Gaborone, Botswana.

During the 7th meeting of the SADC Technical Committee on Competition and Consumer Policy and Law held in Gaborone on 26 May 2016, SADC Competition Authorities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Inter - Agency cooperation in competition policy, law and enforcement. This was a landmark development, a culmination of a consultative process which commenced in July 2015 following the resolution of the SADC Technical Committee on Competition and Consumer Policy and Law made at its Extra Ordinary meeting in July 2015 to develop an MOU on Inter - Agency cooperation.

The signing of this MOU is a historic

event that marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Declaration on Regional Cooperation in Competition and Consumer Policies adopted by SADC Heads of State and Government in 2009. Over the years, the Declaration facilitated provision of capacity building and technical assistance to Member States in support of competition policy development and implementation.

The region now boasts of ten Member States with operational competition authorities. The remaining five Member States are at different stages in the development of their respective competition legislation. The main objective of the MOU is to foster closer cooperation in the enforcement of Member States’ competition laws in order to address effectively national and cross/border competition problems or anti-competitive business practices such as cartels, abusive practices of dominant firms and monopolies. In terms of the substantive provisions of the MOU, the Competition Authorities

have committed themselves to cooperate by, among other things such as sharing information on cases, coordinating investigation of cases, harmonizing the rules and procedures for handling cases, and undertaking joint capacity building and research activities.

The MOU will go a long way in strengthening competition law enforcement and add value to the national implementation efforts of Member States. This MOU comes at an opportune time when SADC has adopted an Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap, which amongst other objectives promotes the creation of sustainable regional value chains. Competition authorities will be expected to play a pivotal role by ensuring that a conducive business environment for cross border investments exists. Secretariat commended the Competition Authorities for the initiative and urged them to honour their commitments as spelt out in the MOU.

The US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, H.E. Matthew Harrington, visited the SADC Secretariat on 24th June 2016, accompanied by the US Ambassador to Botswana, H.E. Earl Miller. In his discussion with the SADC Executive Secretary, HE. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Ambassador Harrington informed Dr. Tax that the US Government relentlessly supports SADC's initiatives, including ensuring that the Republic of Lesotho restores political and security normalcy. He stated that SADC's continued efforts in the Kingdom of Lesotho are showing positive results, and that the US Government was open to discuss and provide support that the Region would require in this endeavor. The US Ambassador further informed the Executive Secretary that the US Government believes that implementation by Lesotho of recommendations by the SADC Commission of Inquiry would determine her future collaboration with the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. '' While Lesotho is eligible for the compact of the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and eligible under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), utilization of benefits derived from these windows depends also on her adherence to the set criteria and principles of democracy and good governance,'' Mr. Harrington said.

Dr. Tax welcomed Ambassador Harrington and his delegation to the SADC Secretariat. She conveyed her appreciations for US's continued support to SADC Member States, and US's interest and the contributions made towards Lesotho. She further informed him that SADC has convened a Double

Troika Summit during which the Kingdom of Lesotho will report on implementation of SADC decisions. "We are confident that the Kingdom of Lesotho will present to Summit a report that will inform its commitment to SADC decisions and recommendations. There has been positive progress so far, and we hope the Summit will guide in the right direction", she said.

Competition Authorities signs MoU

US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesothomeets the SADC Executive Secretary

H.E. Matthew Harrington (left) and HE. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax

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By Mukundi Mutasa, Gender/RPC Programme

The SADC regional training of trainers for media practitioners on trafficking in persons was held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 13th to 15th June 2016, with journalists and information practitioners from 14 Member States in attendance.

The regional training of trainers aimed to; Introduce the media to issues of transnational organised crime, with a specific focus on trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and irregular migration; Orient the media on the state of trafficking in persons response in the SADC region. These will also enhance the media’s capacity to investigate and appropriately report on trafficking in persons in the SADC region; and foster media advocacy to shape opinion, influence agenda and arouse interest of the public and policy-makers through consistent, reliable and responsible coverage of trafficking in persons issues.

The training was officially opened by Botswana’s Deputy Secretary for Safety and Security in the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Ikwathaeng Bagopi, who emphasised that the media is a key resource in preventing and combating trafficking in persons “The media has the capacity to reach wide audience and communities in remote and hard to reach places, hence cooperation with this strategic partner in fighting trafficking in persons is essential,” said Mr Bagopi. The Head of the European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC, Ambassador Alexander Baum, stressed that everyone, including media practitioners, has a personal, collective and legal responsibility to fight trafficking in persons.

Ambassador Baum further highlighted the SADC-EU

cooperation through the Regional Political Cooperation (RPC) Programme that supports SADC Member States to establish and implement national-level legislation on trafficking in persons; raise awareness on the crime; and build capacities of various stakeholders to identify and assist victims, investigate and prosecute the traffickers and those abating the crime.

The Head of SADC Gender Unit, Dr Joseph Pitso, said that it was “important that the media is able to clearly define trafficking in persons versus smuggling of migrants, and report factual information always cognisant of basic human rights and victim sensitivity.” This was echoed by Mr Bagopi who talked of “the need for the media to fully understand the complexity of the crime of trafficking in persons” to enable “Member States to effectively and efficiently respond to the crime, and its associated consequences.”

The lack of understanding of these related crimes trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and irregular migration has resulted in the media mistakenly reporting smuggling of migrants cases as cases of trafficking in persons.

The media training was in line with the implementation of the 10 Year SADC Strategic Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (2009-2019), which identifies capacity building and public awareness

raising as key priorities contributing towards the effective preventing and combating trafficking in persons. The RPC Programme is funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF).The facilitators were drawn from the SADC Secretariat, Southern African Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC).

Media trained on trafficking in persons

Mr. Bagopi, flanked by Dr. Pitso and Ambassador Baum during the officialopening of the training

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By Chiluba Mwape, Programme Officer – Sanitary and Phytosanitary

SADC Member States’ pesticides regulators met in Pretoria South Africa, from 15th to 16th June, 2016 to review the Regional Guidelines for the Regulation of Plant Protection Products in SADC Member States. The purpose of this meeting was to strengthen the management of pesticides at national and regional levels through aligning the Regional Guidelines with the Revised International Code of Conduct (CoC) for Pesticide Management (2013). The CoC is the worldwide guidance document on pesticide management for all public and private entities engaged in, or associated with the distribution and use of pesticides. The workshop was attended by senior government officials from pesticides regulatory agencies from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Regional and International organisations also participated included the Food and Agricultural Organisation, University of Cape Town and Swedish Chemical Agency.

Participation of Member States’ delegates at this meeting was sponsored by the European Union through the Regional Economic Integration Support programme as this activity is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Annex to the SADC Protocol on Trade. “Due to the fact that the SADC member’s states belong to the global community, it is important that our laws, regulations and guidelines are aligned to international best practices to safeguard human and environmental health and at the same time making sure that intra- regional and international trade is not negatively affected” said Mr Serage, the Chief Director – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of South Africa in his official opening remarks.

A number of international Chemical and Chemical Waste related Conventions and Codes address the issue of pesticide trade at different levels. The main objective of the Conventions is to protect the human health and the environment from risk associated with production, transportation, handling, use or disposal of toxic chemicals or their wastes. The agreements provide necessary information, procedures and conditions on the trading of pesticides or chemicals between the manufacturing country (industry) and the importing country

(user). Moreover, the Conventions and Codes underline the necessity of information exchange, stakeholders’ involvement, research and promotion of both chemical and non-chemical alternatives to toxic chemicals as well as provision of accurate information on the chemicals to users.

The output of the meeting was the development of an Amendment matrix to be used for member state consultative workshops. Strengthening of the pesticides regulatory environment will enhance safe market access for pesticides.

Plant Protection isnecessary for SADC

Participants

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The SADC Ministers responsible for Education and Training and Science, Technology and Innovation held a joint meeting in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana on 30th June 2016. The governments of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe were represented at the level of Ministers, Angola and Mozambique were represented by their Ambassadors to Botswana, while Zambia was represented by a Permanent Secretary. The meeting was also attended by representatives from United Nations Educational Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Ministers took decisions on key policy and strategic instruments of cooperation and regional integration in the areas of education and training, and science, technology and innovation in the context of the recently revised SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2015-2020, and in support of the implementation of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map 2015-2063. The meeting was jointly chaired by Hon. Nonofo Molefhi, Minister of Infrastructure Science and Technology and Honourable Unity Dow, Minister of Education and Skills Development, Republic of Botswana.

In his opening remarks, Honourable Molefhi underscored the need to strengthen education and skills development, and science, technology and innovation to enhance productivity, value addition and beneficiation of the region’s abundant natural resources in line with the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Road Map 2015-2063. In particular, efforts should be made to motivate and train more young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from an early age, and to nurture young scientists and innovators while reskilling the youth. In addition, science, technology and innovation efforts should be linked to the demands of modernised technology driven industrial economies of SADC and the corresponding skills requirements of the labour market. In their follow-up deliberations, Ministers

acknowledged that technology advancement was central to the implementation of the new SADC Industrialisation thrust and agreed on a guiding framework for strengthening information technology systems that provide particularly powerful and advanced capabilities also known as cyber-infrastructure. Efforts will be directed to strengthen Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) particularly among the youth, and the region will celebrate and recognise the 15th July of each year as Youth Skills Day in SADC in line with decisions of the United Nations globally.

Ministers commended the SADC Member States that are charging the same fees for foreign students as are charged for locals as provided for in the SADC Protocol on Education and Training. To enhance funding for the implementation of the Protocol, Ministers committed to work with their governments to ensure that 1% of their gross domestic product (GDP) is allocated to research and development in support of the recently set industrialisation targets of SADC. They also agreed to improve the professionalization of teachers, and committed to support efforts towards the establishment of national council of teachers, and a regional council of teachers which will provide platforms for regulation and standardisation of the quality of teacher training within

Member States and across the SADC region. Ministers acknowledged the growing challenges of climate change, and approved a road map outlining the role of science, technology and innovation in managing climate change.

Key policy instruments and guidelines that are aimed at enhancing access and retention to quality education and skills training particularly among the poor and vulnerable children and youth, and to improve quality of educational outcomes were approved by Ministers during the meeting. These include a policy framework to guarantee care and support services for vulnerable learners; and guidelines for the Recognition of Prior Learning which will enable those young people who acquire skills and competencies through different learning processes - informal and non-formal, to be certified in accordance with the SADC regional qualifications framework. Once certified the young people will be able to enrol in the formal education and training system, be accepted as formally skilled and competent, compete for jobs, and have their self-esteem improved and motivated to achieve more. In addition, Ministers approved a Strategy to ensure that all Member States have put in place policies and programmes to enhance access to quality education for all

Education and Training and Science, Technologyand Innovation key to sustainable development

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SADC Ministers responsible for Education and Training and Science, Technology and Innovation

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By Chiluba Mwape, Programme Officer –Sanitary and Phytosanitary

The 3rd African Solidarity Trust Fund (ASTF) Regional Project Technical Committee (RPTC) meeting was held in Swakopmund, Namibia from 30 to 31 May, 2016. The objective of the meeting was to: review the project implementation progress; consider and approve annual work plans; and address project implementation challenges faced by Member States. The meeting was officially opened by the Governor of Erongo Region of Namibia.

Agriculture is an important contributor to national economic growth and development of most Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States. Agriculture production is important in ensuring food security and income generation. The majority of SADC Member States have agro-based economies with agriculture contributing about 20% to its regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP). About 70% of SADC’s population of about 293.5 million (2013) depends on agriculture for food, income and employment. The sector however is affected by the food safety hazards, plant pests and animal diseases that threaten food security and cross-border trade in food and agro-products.

The ASTF project entitled “Strengthening controls of food safety threats, plant pests and animal diseases for agricultural productivity and trade in Southern Africa” is being implemented through the Food and Agriculture Organisation

(FAO) Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa located in Harare Zimbabwe. The goal of the project is to build sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity in Member States in order to manage the threats of food safety hazards, animal diseases and plant pests that affect agro- value chains. The outcome of the project is improved food security and regional trade in food and agro-products. This will be achieved through effective implementation of the provisions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on the Application of SPS Measures as stipulated in the SPS Annex to the SADC Protocol on Trade.

This meeting was attended by National Project Coordinators and FAO Focal Point Officers from seven participating Member States namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The RPTC members in attendance included FAO Sub - Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for Southern Africa (FAO REOSA), CAB International (CABI), Center for Coordination of Agriculture Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA), SADC and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

The RPTC approved with amendments the annual work plans presented by Member States. In addressing implementation challenges, resolutions were made that included strengthening of communication with relevant stakeholders; awareness creation to the policy makers on the impact of SPS related threats to food security and trade.

African Solidarity Trust Fund RegionalProject Technical Committee meeting held

Participants at the meeting

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By Mukundi Mutasa, Gender Unit/ RPC Programme

The meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for Gender and Women’s Affairs was held in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, on 23 June 2016, to review progress in implementing the regional gender programme.

The meeting was officially opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly in Botswana, Ms Gladys Kokorwe, who underscored “that gender equality is not just a phenomenon, but a reality that we all have to embrace if we are to achieve international, continental, regional and national sustainable development.”

Ms Kokorwe added that while the global Millennium Development Goals helped in lifting more than one billion people out of extreme poverty, the Sustainable Development Goals that were adopted in 2015 should form the basis of the SADC Regional Development Agenda.

This was echoed by the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, who emphasised that “women’s and girls’ economic empowerment sets a direct path towards achieving gender equality and is a critical element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

However, for this to be achieved, it requires “all actors, whether governments, international institutions, civil society organizations or the private sector, to move beyond ‘business as usual’ and employ new ways of thinking and acting,” Dr Tax added. Among the issues discussed by the SADC Gender Ministers include the draft Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, women’s economic empowerment, women’s participation and representation in politics and decision making positions, trafficking in persons in the SADC region, the 2016 SADC Gender and Development Monitor, and the adoption of the SADC-sponsored United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Resolution 60/2 on Women, the girl child, HIV and AIDS.

The Ministers agreed to submit the draft Revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development to the relevant structures for clearance and subsequent approval and signature by Summit of Heads of State and Government. In reference to the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, Dr Tax highlighted that for it to benefit the SADC region, “an enabling institutional environment is required to eliminate the challenges that hinder the achievement of gender equality and equity.”

The meeting was chaired by Honourable Edwin J. Batshu, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs in Botswana. In his remarks, Hon. Batshu applauded the SADC Gender Ministers for the achievements attained during the course of his tenure, including the adoption of the SADC-sponsored United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Resolution 60/2 on Women, the Girl Child and HIV and AIDS. The Resolution was adopted by consensus at the 60th CSW meeting held in New York in March 2016. The meeting was preceded by the meeting of senior officials from 20 to 21 June 2016 at the same venue. The next meeting of the Gender Ministers will be held in the Kingdom of Swaziland at a date and venue to be announced in due course.

learners with disabilities. To increase the number, role and competencies of women and young girls in science, technology and innovation Ministers approved the founding document for the establishment of a regional organisation to promote and coordinate women in science, engineering and technology. Ministers ended their meeting on a high note, expressing their heartfelt gratitude to the Government and the people of the Republic of Botswana for their warm reception and the hospitality extended to them during the course of the meeting. They welcomed the invitation by the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland to their next meeting which will be held in Swaziland on a date to be confirmed during their tenure as chairperson of SADC from August 2016 to August 2017.

Education andTraining and

Science,Technology

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Gender equality is a realitywe have to all embrace

Group photo of Ms Kokorwe and Ministers responsible for Gender and Women's Affairs

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Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

The Director of Trade of the East African Community (EAC), Mr. Rashid Kibowa, held discussions with the SADC Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax on 2nd June, 2016. The two parties discussed matters of mutual interest to SADC and the EAC, including the operationalisation of the SADC, EAC and COMESA Tripartite Free Trade Area.

Mr. Kibowa reaffirmed the EAC's commitment to operationalize the Tripartite free Trade Area following the historical launch of the Tripartite Free Trade Area at the 3rd Tripartite Summit in June, 2015 in Sharm el Sheikh- Egypt. He noted that the EAC is

committed to ensure that the timelines agreed upon for conclusion of priority actions by June 2016 are achieved, including finalization of exchange of tariff offers, and signing and ratification of the TFTA Agreement.

Dr. Tax welcomed Mr. Kibowa to the

SADC Secretariat, and appreciated the commitment that the EAC has shown in following up the implementation of the Sharm el Sheikh Declaration. She pointed out that the SADC Secretariat equally attach great importance to the operationalization of the Tripartite Free Trade Area, and that she was optimistic that Member States of the Tripartite will ensure that the Free

Trade Area is operationalized within this year.

Mr. Kibowa is in Gaborone, Botswana for a meeting relating to operationalisation of the SADC, EAC and COMESA Tripartite Free Trade Area.

The SADC Mediation Reference Group (MRG) successfully completed a refresher training course on Conflict Analysis and Mediation, which was conducted from 8-9 June in Durban, South Africa.

The two day refresher course was organized by the SADC Mediation Support Unit, in close collaboration with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD). This is the first joint activity since the Memorandum of Understanding was concluded by SADC Secretariat and ACCORD.

The MoU, signed on 22 April 2015, formalises the two organizations’ agreement to work together in support of SADC’s integration Agenda by amongst others; cooperating in knowledge-sharing and skills transfer in conflict analysis, mediation and conflict mitigation; and also prioritizing mediation/ negotiation training programmes that aim to prepare police, military and civilians for how to respond to national and regional threats to security. The two

day refresher training was specifically tailored to the MRG’s training needs, and covered issues relating to conflict analysis skills, mediation practice, process and design, as well as facilitation and negotiation skills, using practical, real-life, scenarios, and drawing on the vast practical experiences of the MRG.

The training also provided the MRG

with an opportunity to exchange ideas and suggestions on ways to identify and address knowledge gaps and constraints, particularly in readiness for deployment. The discussions from the training will also assist the MRG members in their review of the draft Regional Mediation Training Curriculum which will be undertaken on 10 June 2016, also in Durban, South Africa.

Leaders commit to COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area

SADC trains officers on ConflictAnalysis, Mediation and Mitigation

Participants at the training

Mr. Kibowa (left) with H.E. Dr. Lawrence Tax

Inside SADC 12

Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

By Barbara Lopi, Communication and Awareness Expert – Water

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States must establish more joint investments on strategic energy and water projects to promote regional Energy and Water security. This is one of the recommendations from the high level workshop on the energy and water crises in the regional which was held on 20th June 2016 in Gaborone, Botswana. The workshop was followed by a meeting of SADC Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water on 21st June at the same venue.

The workshop also recommended that Member States and the SADC Secretariat “should ensure that the Energy, Water and Food Security sectors avoid working in sectoral silos, but plan and work jointly in a nexus approach to maximise benefits and accelerate delivery”. The workshop, which is the second in a series of meetings called by President Lt. General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana in his capacity as Chairperson, noted that the tendency to work in sectoral silos, and to focus on national sufficiency as opposed to regional sufficiency by some Member States contributed to the Energy and Water insecurity in the region.

About 160 delegates including Ministers and Senior Officials from the Ministries responsible for Energy and Water Sectors in the SADC Member States, representatives of national Energy and Water regulators and Utilities; International Cooperating Partners, SADC Energy and Water Thematic Group members and implementing Partners; academic research and training institutions; development finance institutions, members of the diplomatic corps and independent power producers attended the workshop. The workshop held under the theme: "Accelerating energy delivery and access to water resources in the SADC region – A collective approach" facilitated exchange of ideas and proposed recommendations towards the energy and waters crisis in the region.

In his keynote address, SADC Chairperson and President of Botswana, Dr. Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama called on the delegates to discuss the regional crisis and recommend sustainable solutions. President Khama noted that “if the status of energy and water supply services situation in the region does not improve the SADC industrialization Strategy and Roadmap could remain a pipe dream”. In her opening remarks to the workshop, the SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena L. Tax highlighted the vital role of the energy and water resources to regional economic growth, and added that insufficient access directly impacted on the quality of

lives of people in the region.

After deliberations, the workshop recommended that; the SADC Secretariat should as a matter of urgency initiate a study on transferring water from the water rich basins to the water stressed parts of the region expeditiously, through inter/intra basin transfers. Member States must be encouraged to embark on intensive energy and water demand side management strategies which combine the use of high efficiency technologies, methodologies and better awareness creation as a matter of urgency. Member States must be encouraged to promote and invest in alternative energy

sources for power generation such as hydro, solar and wind power including coal and gas using appropriate and efficient technologies and thereby promote optimal energy mix. Member States should promote conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water and invest more in rainwater harvesting, recycling, and desalination depending on the circumstance. Member States and SADC Secretariat must be encouraged to accelerate efforts to prepare bankable water and energy infrastructure projects, as well as implementation of the priority infrastructure projects for hydropower and multi-purpose dams as

identified in the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan in order to accelerate regional industrialisation. Member States must be encouraged to allocate resources for rehabilitation and maintenance on energy and water infrastructures. Member States who are not connected in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) transmission network must be encouraged to get connected to accelerate the respective on-going interconnector projects to enable them to benefit from trading among the Member States. Though SAPP was established more than 20 years ago, three mainland SADC Member States are still not connected. Member States should provide incentives that promote the renewable energy investments which may lower capital expenditure.

Member States should explore other options such as competitive bidding to facilitate development of renewable energy projects. Innovative funding mechanisms should be identified to effectively finance implementation of infrastructure projects. On-going efforts to develop regional funding mechanisms to support Member States’ efforts to fund energy and water projects as well as to improve resilience of SADC communities against impact of Climate Change and variability must intensify. Centres of excellence must be established and existing ones strengthened to undertake research and training to improve capacity for maintenance and operation of systems as well as job creation.

SADC Member States urged to establishmore joint investments on energy and water

President Khama

Inside SADC 13

Issue 6 JUNE 30, 2016

Democratic Republic of the Congo Independence Day is a national holiday, which is celebrated to commemorate the country's liberation from Belgium in 1960. The day is observed on June 30 every year. The people of Democratic Republic of the Congo think of it as the most important occasion in their life. Democratic Republic of the Congo was a colony of Belgium from 1908 to 1960.

Independence Day is celebrated on June 30 and it is observed to pay tribute to the people who sacrificed their lives for the cause of the independence of their country. The Republic of Zaire is the previous name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo or République démocratique du Congo (in French language). The country was also known in

other names such as Belgian Congo, the Congo Free State, Congo-Kinshasa, and Congo-Léopoldville. In 1908, the Parliament of Belgium, in spite of unwillingness in the beginning, bent over to global demands (particularly that from Great Britain) and occupied the Congo Free State in the form of a Belgian settlement from the King. Subsequently, it was known as the Belgian Congo and was governed by the nominated administration of Belgium. In 1959, a fierce black-autonomist revolt compelled majority of the European settlers to depart the Belgian Congo. The nation achieved independence from Belgium in 1960, and in 1966, the name of Léopoldville was changed to Kinshasa and the name was derived from a rural community of the 19th century.

Independence Day in Mozambique Date in the current year: June 25, 2016 Mozambique annually celebrates Independence Day on June 25. This holiday celebrates the day, when Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975.

The first Europeans set foot on the territory of Mozambique in 1498, when the Portuguese sailors from the voyage of Vasco Da Gama arrived to the country. The Portuguese

trading posts started to appear in about 1500, displacing the Arabic commercial and military hegemony.

After World War II the colonies of Portugal were not granted independence and they were declared to be oversees territory. Many other African countries one by one gained independence from their protectorates. This wave led to the Mozambican War of Independence that lasted from 1964 to 1974.

The Seychelles consist of an archipelago of about 100 islands in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar. The Seychelles were uninhabited when the British East India Company arrived on the archipelago in 1609. Thereafter, they became a favorite pirate haven. The French claimed the islands in 1756 and administered them as part of the colony of Mauritius. The British gained control of the islands through the Treaty of Paris (1814) and changed the islands' name from the French Séchelles to the Anglicized Seychelles.

The islands became self-governing in 1975 and independent on June 29, 1976. They have remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Their first president, James Mancham, was overthrown in 1977 by the prime minister,

France-Albert René. At first René created a Socialist state with a one-party system, but later he reintroduced a multiparty system as well as various reforms. While the islands spent years under European rule, the population was mainly of African origin, with immigration also from sub-continental Asia, Madagascar and other island nations of the Indian Ocean. The result is a creole culture which mixes the best bits from a global range of influences that have somehow combined on the archipelago. There are some, steepling and granite-based, which rise dramatically out of the sea and afford spectacular views to the energetic traveller willing to forego a day on the sun lounger, while the coral islands are largely for observers of wildlife and flora.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Republic of Mozambique

Republic of Seychelles

Republic of Botswana 01 July Sir Seretse Khama Day 18 July President’s Day 19 July Public HolidayKingdom of Lesotho 17 July King’s Birthday Republic of Malawi 06 July Independence Day Republic of Mauritius 06 July Eid-UI-Fitr*Kingdom of Swaziland 22 July Public Holiday United Republic of Tanzania 07 July International Trade FairRepublic of Zambia 07 July Heroes Day 08 July Unity Day

Official Holidays in the SADC region