The SADC Parliamentary Forum would like to pay tribute to Michel Mweza, a French interpreter at the Secretariat - who was a valued staff member of the Forum and whose sudden demise has left everybody in shock and sorrow.
Michel was a cheerful character with a strong but easy-going personality. He was a ray of light that beamed positive vibes and had the ability to be a mood changer for his co-workers and other staff. His work was commendable and his ideas were brilliant. As a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he exuded a sense of patriotism and honourably represented the colours of his country abroad and across the SADC region.
Media Release: SADC Parliamentary Forum Saddened by Passing of Dr Kenneth Kaunda
17 Jun 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Thursday 17 June 2021 - The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum has learnt with a deep sense of shock and sadness about the passing on of Zambia's founding father and former President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
Dr. Kaunda, who had been hospitalised recently due to ill health, was the first President of liberated Zambia and took the helm in 1964 after his country gained independence from Britain. He was Zambia's President for 27 years - from 1964 until 1991.
"We would like to thank him for his contribution in ensuring that the people of the region enjoy the freedoms that they have, he is one of the foremost people who paved the way for others to gain independence from the colonial regimes," said SADC PF Secretary General, Ms. Boemo Sekgoma.
MEDIA ADVISORY: SADC-PF MPS CONDUCT OVERSIGHT ON TANZANIA’S HEALTH ABD AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
09 Jun 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumMEDIA ADVISORY:
SADC-PF MPS CONDUCT OVERSIGHT ON TANZANIA’S HEALTH ABD AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Wednesday 09 June 2021 – The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Members of Parliament will, on Thursday 10 June, hold a virtual oversight meeting on the social accountability and oversight of the health and agricultural sectors in Tanzania.
MEDIA ADVISORY: SADC-PF COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS AfCFTA IMPLICATIONS IN SADC, INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTSS AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON REGIONAL COMMITMENTS
02 May 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Sunday 02 May 2021 - The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) standing committees are, this week, scheduled to hold virtual meetings on the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), interpreting international trade agreements and enhancing accountability on regional commitments.
Tomorrow, the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (TIFI) chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, is scheduled to discuss ways in which they can make the AfCFTA work. TIFI members, joined by members of National Parliamentary committees dealing with trade, will discuss what the implementations of the AfCFTA mean for SADC Member States and SADC. The meeting is scheduled to start at 09:00.
On Tuesday, the TIFI Committee will meet again to enhance Members' knowledge on Reading and Interpreting International Trade Agreements. The Committee will again be joined by their counterparts from National Parliamentary Committee that deal with trade issues. The meeting starts at 09:00.
On Thursday and Friday, the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FARN) and the Regional Parliamentary Model Law Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) both chaired by Hon. Leon Tumba, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are scheduled to host a webinar on the status of SADC Protocols related to natural resources and climate governance and trends against global commitments and the role of Parliaments (periodic tracking of SADC Protocols). The two-day webinar, starting at 09:00, will discuss ways in which members can enhance regional accountability on regional commitments.
MEDIA ACCESS : Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must send a request for login details to the SADC-PF Media Office on this email:
The meetings will also be broadcast on DSTV Channel 408 and live streamed on the SADC-PF platforms on the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ
ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969
MEDIA RELEASE: SADC-PF TRADE, INDUSTRY, FINANCE AND INVESTMENT COMMITTEE CALLS FOR HARMONISATION OF CROSS BORDER TRADE SYSTEMS
12 Apr 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Sunday 11 April 2021 - The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum's (SADC-PF) Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment (TIFI) has called on SADC countries to harmonise systems to reduce, amongst others, cross border trade costs and time spent at borders.
The TIFI Committee, chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, met virtually today under the theme: " Enhancing Regional Economic Integration Through Infrastructure Development: A Case Of One Stop Border Post" to discuss ways in which regional economic integration, through infrastructure development - with special focus on one-stop border posts, can be enhanced.
MEDIA RELEASE: SADC-PF COMMITTEE CONCERNED OVER SLOW IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILD MARRIAGE, HIV/AIDS AND ELECTIONS MODEL LAWS
11 Apr 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Sunday 11 April 2021 - The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) during its meeting on Friday, raised concern over the slow and in some instances non-implementation of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) Model Laws on Child Marriage, HIV/AIDS and Elections.
About six SADC-PF Standing Committees are holding virtual statutory meetings from the 9th until the 16th of April 2021 in preparation for the 49th Plenary Assembly Session to be hosted by the Parliament of Botswana in June, where each Committee will table its report.
MEDIA ADVISORY: SADC-PF COMMITTEES TO DISCUSS ACCESS TO COVID VACCINE, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, CONSTITUTIONALISM AND RULE OF LAW, DOMESTIC TOURISM, UNPAID WORK, AND ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES IN THE REGION
09 Apr 2021 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumWINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Thursday 08 April 2021 – Standing Committees of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) are scheduled to hold virtual statutory meetings from the 9th until the 16th of April 2021. The Standing Committee meetings are being held ahead of the 49th Plenary Assembly Session to be hosted by the Parliament of Botswana in June, where each Committee will table its report.
Matters scheduled for discussion during this weeklong programme includes orientation of new Members, deliberation on thematic issues of regional concern, consultation and validation of the framework for developing regional reference documents on the role of Parliaments in curbing corruption, strengthening accountability, and the protection and promotion of human rights in Southern Africa.
EZULWINI, SWAZILAND - All the 14 member Parliaments of the SADC Parliamentary Forum are represented at the 39th Plenary Assembly Session of the regional body which officially got underway on Wednesday here.
This is the second time that the Plenary Assembly Session is being held in the Kingdom of Swaziland, the first being in 2004.
Mr Sheuneni Kurasha, the Programme Manager: Democracy & Governance as well as Parliamentary Business Focal Person at SADC PF said the fact that all member states are being represented demonstrates the value they place not just in SADC PF but also in SADC regional integration agenda.
He said the Plenary had begun flawlessly.
"The sub-committees of the Executive Committee met on Monday, including the Parliamentary Business Sub-Committee which considered the parliamentary business for the 39th Plenary Assembly. This was followed by a meeting of the Executive Committee which met on Tuesday and among other things, approved the business for the Plenary Assembly Session," Kurasha said.
In welcome remarks to the delegates who include Speakers of National Parliaments and Members of Parliament, the Speaker in the House of Assembly of Swaziland, Hon Themba Msibi said his country had benefitted immensely from being part of the deliberative body.
"Swaziland has always been a full member of the Forum and has benefitted in many ways including from many workshops for Members of Parliament and we cannot be more grateful," the Speaker said.
The chairperson of the Regional Women's Parliamentary Forum Hon Francisca Domingos Tomas from Mozambique hailed Swaziland for fighting discrimination of women. She said Swaziland afforded equal opportunities to all her citizens including women, some of who now occupy very senior positions in different spheres. Hon Domingos held out the example of the long serving President of the Senate of Swaziland, who is a woman.
The Secretary General of the SADC PF, Dr Esau Chiviya said the theme for the Plenary Assembly Session provided and opportunity for National Parliaments of the SADC Region to "take stock of the human rights situation in the SADC Region in general in general and the rights of women in particular."
He added: "Parliaments will examine their own centrality the centrality of human rights in law making and at the same time explore strategies for meaningful collaboration."
His Majesty King Mswati III, who was represented by the Acting Prime Minister, Senator Paul Dlamini, officially opened the Plenary Assembly Session whose theme is strengthening the Role of Parliament in Protecting and Realisation of Human Rights in Southern Africa, on Wednesday.
The King took the opportunity to explain the country's democratic system - Monarchical Democracy - which he said had been misunderstood in some quarters.
"Monarchical Democracy is defined as the marriage between the monarchy and the ballot box. The ballot box is the will of the people who vote for an individual, who will provide advice and counsel to the King and country in a manner that ensures transparency and accountability. It is a combination of power with empowerment. It means that the Monarch of Eswatini guarantees the shared power of the people," the King said.
He added: "To those who proclaim that democracy is the answer to all nations and their development, we present ourselves as a testimony to a new democratic ideology that works… the Kingdom of Eswatini's position is that it believes in democracy as an idea but not as an ideal because things that are ideal to you may not be ideal to other people."
Kurasha said among the main highlights of this Plenary Assembly Session is the expected adoption of the Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage in Southern Africa.
The law, which was developed in response to the decision by the 35th Plenary Assembly Session held in Mauritius in June 2014, will be a historic milestone by Parliamentarians from the Region in the quest to end the scourge of child marriages bedevilling many countries in the Region.
Other issues to be considered include committee reports by various SADC PF standing committees as well as motions by various Members of Parliament. They include: a motion on the Need for SADC PF to Develop a Model Law on Elections to Facilitate the Domestication of SADC Principles and Guidelines for Democratic Elections by Member States (mover: Hon. Maneesh Gobin, MP, Mauritius); motion on the Prevalence of the Dual Epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) and Diabetes around the World (mover: Hon. Ahmed Munzoor Shaik Emam, MP, South Africa); motion on Combating Hunger and Poverty in Southern Africa (mover: Hon Paulo Angola); motion on the Need for Integrated Energy Infrastructure and Security as a Means for Regional Development with Specific Attention to the Inga Dam Project (mover: Hon. Stevens Mokgalapa, MP, South Africa); and motion on the Importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) In the Development of the SADC Region (mover: Hon. Siphosezwe Masango, MP, South Africa).
Other motions include : motion on the Negative Impact of Poor Service Delivery on Women as People Responsible for Care Work at the Household (mover: Hon. Masefele Morutoa, MP, South Africa); motion on The Need For SADC Member States Expedite The Signing And Implementation Of The Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement Aimed At Creating An Enlarged Market Extending From Cape To Cairo (mover: Dr Samson Mukanduri, MP, Zimbabwe).
Approximately 190 delegates including observers from other regional and international organisations that SADC PF collaborates with are attending the Plenary Assembly Session which ends on Sunday.
PRESS RELEASE: Mozambique hosts the 31st SADC PF Plenary Assembly
06 Jul 2012 Written by SADC Parliamentary ForumMozambique hosts the 31st SADC PF Plenary Assembly SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) wishes to announce that the National Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique will be hosting the 31st Plenary Assembly of the Forum from 09 to 16 July 2012 at Hotel Polana in Maputo.
The SADC PF 31st Plenary Assembly will be held under the theme “Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy” and it seeks to ensure greater parliamentary role in enhancing participatory democracy and good governance in SADC.
The Secretary General of SADC PF, Dr Esau Chiviya explained that this theme is timely as it comes at a time when National Parliaments in SADC have adopted the Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in Southern Africa which is a standards instrument meant to guide legislatures to transform themselves into democratic and effective institutions.
The Plenary Assembly will among other things, consider the Benchmarking and Self-Assessment Toolkit which is an implementation tool to guide SADC Parliaments as they seek to domesticate and institutionalise the Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in Southern Africa and in so doing strengthen parliamentary democracy in SADC countries.
The 31st Plenary Assembly will be officially opened by Mozambique President, His Excellency Armando Emilio Guebuza on Friday, 13 July, 2012. Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Hon. Lovemore Moyo, who is also Speaker of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe and the host
Speaker, Hon. Verónica Nataniel Macamo Dlhovo will also address delegates during the Official Opening Session.
The biannual event will be attended by Speakers and Parliamentarians from the 14 SADC Parliaments namely the host Mozambique as well as Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Ends//
Issued by the Office of the Secretary General on Friday 06 July 2012 in Windhoek
The SADC Parliamentary Forum wishes to inform the media and other stakeholders that it will hold a Press Conference to present its Interim Statement on the 2012 Lesotho National Assembly Elections on 28 May 2012 at The Lehakoe Club at 1600hrs.
Guests must be seated by 1620hrs.
Issued by the SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General, Dr. Esau Chiviya
For further details please: Mr. Sheuneni Kurasha, Mission Coordinator
Ithute Room Maseru Sun Hotel
Mobile No. +266 574 39764