EN

By Moses Magadza in Mahe, Seychelles

 

MAHE, SEYCHELLES – The Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honourable Roger Mancienne, has called for collaboration in addressing Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV and AIDS challenges.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of
Seychelles, Honourable Roger Mancienne.
Photo: Moses Magadza

He made the call when he delivered an opening speech yesterday (Monday 29 May, 2023) at a multi-stakeholder meeting focused on SRHR and the challenges posed by HIV and AIDS.

The event, which marked the culmination of the SRHR Governance Project supported by the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) with funding from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), brought together key stakeholders, including SADC PF Secretary General Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Members of Parliament and representatives from various organizations and ministries.

Mancienne, who is also the President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, expressed his gratitude to various stakeholders for support throughout the project. As the second phase of the initiative drew to a close, he stressed the significance of evaluating both the successes and challenges encountered during the project's implementation over the past four years.

He highlighted the vital role of parliament in tackling contemporary challenges and advancing the agenda of sexual and reproductive health rights, particularly in the context of HIV and AIDS. Acknowledging the leadership position of parliamentarians and their oversight function, he underscored their impact in driving attention, scrutinizing policies, and influencing national responses to these pressing issues.

“Parliament as an institution has an important role to play in dealing with the great challenges of our times and advancing the agenda of sexual and reproductive health rights in the face of HIV and AIDS is such a challenge,” he said.

Referring to HIV and AIDS as a formidable health challenge that has recently come to the forefront in Seychelles, Mancienne emphasized the need for collective efforts to combat it. He reminded attendees of the vulnerabilities of health systems when faced with new epidemics, underscoring the urgency to identify and understand the disease, while simultaneously seeking effective protection and treatment strategies.

He commended the scientific and social defences mounted against HIV and AIDS but acknowledged the persistence of challenges related to stigma, behaviour change, and treatment adherence.

Drawing a parallel between the battle against HIV and AIDS and warfare, Mancienne emphasized the gravity of the situation and the need for continued defence and counter-attack strategies. He emphasized that the closure of the SRHR Governance Project presented an opportune moment to engage with stakeholders and develop a comprehensive plan of action to ensure the sustainability of efforts in this critical area.

“Since we are involved here as the legislature, we can note that there has been a number of pieces of legislation that have been brought for consideration and approval which had direct impact on services linked to SRHR and HIV and AIDS. Legislation has to change in response to how the challenge evolves,” he said.

 

LEADER: The Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honourable Roger Mancienne (front 3rd from left), SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma (front 4th from left), MPs and other stakeholders pose for a photo in Mahe, Seychelles. Photo: Vincent Quatre, National Assembly of Seychelles.
LEADER: The Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honourable Roger Mancienne (front 3rd from left), SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma (front 4th from left), MPs and other stakeholders pose for a photo in Mahe, Seychelles. Photo: Vincent Quatre, National Assembly of Seychelles.

He encouraged participants to work together, leveraging the expertise and perspectives of Members of Parliament, line ministries, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to formulate recommendations and solutions.

 

“So here we are – Members of Parliament, Line Ministries, CSOs and other stakeholders – in one room, with one agenda to address this most pertinent issue and to come up with recommendations and possible solutions,” he said.

Recognizing the role of legislation in responding to evolving challenges, Mancienne acknowledged the introduction and approval of several legislative measures with a direct impact on SRHR and HIV and AIDS services.

He expressed the possibility of further legislative amendments or enactments resulting from the workshop's outcomes, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and dedication to the cause.

He commended the SADC PF for conceiving the SRHR Governance Project and expressed his hope for its renewal, as the targets set had not yet been fully achieved. He assured attendees of his unwavering support in any capacity required for the project's continuation.

The multi-stakeholder meeting presented a unique opportunity for stakeholders to come together, share knowledge, and contribute to lasting solutions for the challenges of SRHR and HIV and AIDS in Seychelles.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honourable Rosie Bistoquet highlighted the significance of parliamentary engagement in addressing issues of SRHR, HIV and AIDS, and other related matters.

The theme of the meeting "Stronger Parliamentary SRHR Engagement – A Lens on HIV/AIDS Response in Seychelles,"underscored the need for collective action and emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive national HIV and AIDS responses in Seychelles.

Bistoquet called upon everyone, particularly the parliamentarians, to fulfill their constitutional mandate and protect the rights of all citizens, leaving no one behind.

ENGAGED: (L to r) SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma, Honourable Rosie Bistoquet, Chairperson of the Committee on Communicable Diseases, HIV and AIDS and SRHR at the National Assembly of Seychelles also the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programme at SADC PF, Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms Tania Isaac and Ms Alexandria Faure respectively, the Commissioner of Prisons Raymond St. Ange and the Chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at National Assembly of Seychelles and Chairperson of Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at SADC PF Honourable Regina Esparon at the meeting.  Photo: Moses Magadza
ENGAGED: (L to r) SADC PF Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma, Honourable Rosie Bistoquet, Chairperson of the Committee on Communicable Diseases, HIV and AIDS and SRHR at the National Assembly of Seychelles also the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programme at SADC PF, Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms Tania Isaac and Ms Alexandria Faure respectively, the Commissioner of Prisons Raymond St. Ange and the Chairperson of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at National Assembly of Seychelles and Chairperson of Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus at SADC PF Honourable Regina Esparon at the meeting. Photo: Moses Magadza
The SADC PF SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project, which operates in line with model laws developed for the SADC region, provided guidance for the meeting. The activities implemented by parliamentarians have significantly contributed to advancing SRHR, HIV and AIDS governance, democracy, and human rights in Seychelles.

Bistoquet also highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities faced by women and girl children in the context of HIV and AIDS, as outlined in the Mahé Declaration following the Women's Parliament in Seychelles in 2017.

Seychelles responded to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in 1987, with concerted efforts from the government, the Ministry of Health, and various partners. Significant progress has been made, with access to free antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

However, challenges remain in achieving the 90-90-90 targets set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in 2014. The need for regular and long-term care for HIV patients, including ART and SRH follow-up, was emphasized to ensure the success of national AIDS responses.

Sekgoma described the meeting as an important “celebration of the work done over the years” in implementing the project.

She thanked the National Assembly of Seychelles through the Speaker and the office of the Clerk, without whose leadership “the project would not have taken off in the manner that it did.”

She said: “It is for this reason that we are able to ensure inter-parliamentary cooperation at the level of SADC PF. It is because of these robust bonds of commitment that whatever is done in collaboration with the SADC PF becomes successful.”

She said MPs in Seychelles had been “humble and diligent” in the implementation of the project.

“Without you, we would not have any motions or laws to talk about, and the budgets would not reflect the justice that you wish to see in the world,” she said.

She said the project was aligned with the African Charter on Human Rights which emphasizes everybody’s entitlement to respect and integrity.

“The multi-sector approach of the project looks at all the three arms of the state to ensure that what our Member States accede to is implemented collaboratively by the judiciary, parliament and the executive to ensure all people have the right to services, are protected against discrimination, and their rights are not violated.”

She said the SADC PF was committed to implementing similar projects across all the 15 Member States of SADC. For now, the project is being implemented in 10 Member States.

Sekgoma explained that the success in implementing the project can be measured by the extent to which it had been institutionalised in Parliament, how relevant regional and international instruments had been domesticated and how other committees in parliaments had embraced it.

She said the active involvement of the Speaker, the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk and dedicated staff including Ms. Genevieve Daniel “who has dedicated all her efforts and commitment to ensuring that the targets set out in the project are (met) successfully”, was proof that the project had been institutionalised in Seychelles.

She said SIDA had granted a no cost extension to the project and talks were ongoing to renew it.

She commended Daniel saying: “She has been dedicated to her job. She has put her best foot forward. She has been writing her reports every month. She has been reporting on what is happening in Seychelles through this project and the results which are visible to all of us.”

Ends/.

SADC PF SRHR GOVERNANCE PROJECT

THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SEYCHELLES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE FOR COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, HIV/AIDS & SRHR, THE MINISTRY FOR HEALTH AND THE HIV AND AIDS SUPPORT ORGANISATION (HASO)

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER MEETING

Theme:"Stronger Parliamentary SRHR Engagement-A lens on HIV AIDS Response in Seychelles"

MONDAY 29TH MAY 2023, 0900HRS - 1330HRS

VENUE: Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa

THE SADC-PF SRHR, HIV AND AIDS GOVERNANCE PROJECT (2019-2023)

END OF TERM REVIEW Multi-stakeholder Validation Meeting

Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa Date: 11-12th February 2023

Purpose: To validate initial findings of the SADC-PF SRHR, HIV and AIDS Governance Project (2019-2023).

REGIONAL MEETING TO VALIDATE KNOWLEDGE TOOLS FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN CURBING CORRUPTION AND PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE SADC REGION TO BE HELD ON 8TH AND 9TH FEBRUARY 2023 IN JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

CONCEPT NOTE

 

1.0 Introduction

Strengthening institutions of governance and accountability is a central pillar of the work of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. In this regard, the SADC PF Constitution enjoins the Forum "to promote the principles of … governance … within the SADC Region." 1 This is critical given that SADC Member States face various governance related challenges as evidenced by the poor results during corruption perception index (CPI) and other governance related surveys. For instance, the according to the 2021 corruption perception index (CPI), only three countries of the region are above 50 percentage point, namely Seychelles (70), Botswana (55) and Mauritius (54).

Remarks by the Chairperson of the SADC PF Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance And Human Rights, HON. DOUGHT NDIWENI - DGHR Chairperson 4 Nov 2022

REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SADC PF STANDING COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRATISATION, GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, HON. DOUGHT NDIWENI DURING THE REGIONAL POLICY DIALOGUE ON “STRENGTHENING SEPARATION OF POWERS & PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT IN THE SADC REGION: A LEAP TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE”  HELD ON 4TH AND 5TH NOVEMBER 2022 AT PREMIER HOTEL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

Welcome Remarks by Her Excellency Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General, SADC Parliamentary Forum - during the Regional Policy Dialogue

WELCOME REMARKS BY HER EXCELLENCY BOEMO SEKGOMA, SECRETARY GENERAL, SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM DURING THE REGIONAL POLICY DIALOGUE ON “STRENGTHENING SEPARATION OF POWERS & PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT IN THE SADC REGION: A LEAP TOWARDS DEMOCRATIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE”  HELD ON 4TH AND 5TH NOVEMBER 2022 AT PREMIER HOTEL JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA

 

THEME: ‘TOWARDS BUILDING RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS THROUGH ENHANCED PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT. HOW CAN PARLIAMENTS CONTRIBUTE?’

 

SUNDAY, 1ST MAY 2022, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, AHEAD OF THE 51ST PLENARY ASSEMBLY

TIME ITEM/TOPIC PRESENTER
09:00 – 09:50
  • Credentials of Delegates and Apologies
  • Adoption of Agenda
  • Welcome Remarks by the Chairperson.
  • Consideration of the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources held virtually on Tuesday, 12th October, 2021 under the theme “Water Resource Management in the SADC Region” ahead of the 50th Plenary Assembly Session.
  • Consideration of Matters Arising from the Minutes of the previous meeting.

Hon Leon Andre Tumba, Chairperson

 09:50 – 10:20

Consideration of the theme: ‘Towards Building Resilient Agricultural Systems through Enhanced Public

Presenter - TBA

 10:20 - 10:50  Committee’s Interactive Dialogue on Presentation
 10:50 -11:10

TEA BREAK

 11:10-12:10

Meeting with the Consultant for the SADC PF Strategic Plan (2019 to 2023) Review

 12:10 -12:50

Election of FANR Chairperson and Vice Chairperson for 2022 to 2024

  • Speeches by the Outgoing
  • Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
  • Voting and Counting of Ballots
  • Acceptance Speeches by the Elected Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
 Secretary General
 12:50-13:00  Closing Remarks and Adjournment  Hon Lekhetho Mosito, Vice Chairperson 
  

LUNCH

  

END OF MEETING

 Programme-FANR-Committee-April-2022

PRESENT
 
Hon. Lekhetho Mosito, MP (Vice Chairperson) Lesotho
Hon. Helena Bonguela Abel, MP Angola
Hon. Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe, MP South Africa
Hon. Polson Majaga, MP Botswana
Hon. Tambudzani Mohadi, MP Zimbabwe
Hon. Carlos Manuel, MP Mozambique
Hon. Marie Genevieve Stephanie Anquetil, MP Mauritius
Hon Hawa Subira Mwaifunga, MP Tanzania
Hon Rocky Uranie, MP Seychelles
 
APOLOGIES
 
Apologies from the Parliaments of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini, Madagascar, Namibia, were duly noted.
 
IN ATTENDANCE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM SECRETARIAT
 
Ms Boemo Mmandu Sekgoma Secretary General
Ms Clare Musonda Director, Corporate Governance
Mr Sheuneni Kurasha Programme Manager, Democracy,
Governance and Human Rights
Ms Sharon Nyirongo Committee Secretary
Ms Betty Zulu Committee Secretary
Ms Edna Kanguya Committee Secretary
Ms Agness Lilungwe Personal Assistant to the Secretary General
Mr Ronald Windwaai ICT
Mr Wilfried Kongolo ICT
Mr Modise Kabeli Media Officer
Ms Paulina Kanguatjivi Programmes Coordinator
 
Resource Persons
 
Ms Beauty Shamboko Mbale Fresh Water Manager, World Wide Fund for
Nature, Zambia
Dr Patrice Kabeya Senior Programme Officer, Water Division,
Directorate of Infrastructure, Southern
African Development Community (SADC)
Secretariat
Mr Duncan Samikwa Senior Programme Officer, Directorate of
Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources,
SADC Secretariat
Mr Kidanemariam Jembere Senior Technical Advisor, Water, Climate,
Development and Gender, Global Water
Partnership – Southern Africa
Mr Andrew Takawira Senior Technical Advisor, Africa
Coordination Unit, Global Water
Partnership – Southern Africa
 
AGENDA
  1. Credentials of Delegates and Apologies.
  2. Adoption of the Agenda.
  3. Welcomeremarks.
  4. Consideration of the Minutes of the FANR Standing Committee held on Monday, 12th April, 2021.
  5. Consideration of Matters Arising from the Minutes of the FANR Standing Committee meeting held on Monday, 12th April, 2021.
  6. Presentation and discussion of the theme: “Water Resource Management in the SADC Region: What is the Role of Parliaments.”
  7.  Any Other Business.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 hrs.
 
1. CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES AND APOLOGIES
 
The credentials of the Committee were presented and the quorum was confirmed for the meeting to proceed.
 
2. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
 
On a proposal by South Africa and seconded by Malawi, the Agenda was adopted as presented.
 
3. WELCOMING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON
 
In the absence of the Chairperson, Hon Lekheto Mosito presided over the meeting in his capacity as Vice Chairperson. Hon Mosito welcomed all Hon Members to the meeting. He further extended a special welcome to the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum Ms Boemo Sekgoma. He informed Members that the Committee was meeting to deliberate on the theme‘Water Resource Management in the SADC Region: What is the Role of Parliaments?’
In his welcome remarks, Hon Mosito informed Hon Members that water played a significant role in most economic sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, tourism, among others. He further stated that the allocation, development and protection of water was an essential prerequisite for economic growth and poverty reduction. However, water scarcity largely contributed to the ineffective operations of these sectors. It was estimated that more than 75 per cent of the African population used groundwater as its main source of drinking water. This was true for Southern African countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The Vice Chairperson noted that climate change was threatening the water security of the region. He pointed out that according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change was likely to increase risks of natural hazards and hydrological events. He stated that if not addressed and given that 95 per cent of agriculture in SADC was rain fed, the region may became food insecure. He urged Hon Members to ensure that respective Member States heightened measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Lastly, Hon Mosito reminded Hon Members that attainment of some of the SADC regional commitments and global development goals were dependent on a watersecure region. He called on the Hon Members to utilise their oversight function and ensure that the goals and objectives entrenched in policies, strategies and laws on water were implemented and domesticated in respective member states.
 
4. CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FANR HELD ON MONDAY, 12THAPRIL, 2021
 
On a proposal by South Africa and seconded by Mauritius, the minutes of the previous meeting were adopted without amendments.
The presentations including the plenary discussions, conclusions and recommendations were made as set out below.
 
5. Presentation on Water Resources Management in the SADC Region: The Role of Parliaments
 
The presentation was delivered by Mr Beauty Mbale, Fresh Water Manager WWF-Zambia
Ms Mbale began by outlining the findings of the situational analysis of water in the SADC region. She stated that the region was expansive with unevenly distributed water resources compared to the population and settlement patterns. The meeting was informed that groundwater supplies were estimated at about 27 percent and 35 per cent of the water needs of urban and rural communities, respectively, in the region. Ms Mbale noted that the region’s water security was at risk due to competing economic activities, population growth and the adverse effects of a changing climate. Globally, the water sector was among the most affected by climate change, and the SADC region had not been spared from this problem due to its low institutional capacity to adapt to climate change.
Ms Mbale affirmed that the SADC region considered water resource management as a pivotal instrument for promoting peace in the Southern African region through transboundary and regional cooperation. She informed the meeting that in order to foster cooperation on transboundary basins in the region, there was need to harmonise legislation, policies and strategies on water. She highlighted some of the important regional documents that impacted water resource management as outlined below.
 
  1. SADC Revised protocol on shared watercourses (2000).
  2. Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP).
  3. Regional Water Strategy (2006).
  4. SADC Regional Water Policy (adopted in 2005).

 

Hon Members were informed that the transboundary nature of many of the region’s basins and aquifers presented a challenge to effectively manage water resources. This was further exacerbated by failure to link developmental activities of Member States, for instance, development on the upstream side of one country could negatively impact the downstream flow of another Member State. Ms Mbale further informed the meeting that the amount of groundwater in the region was not fully known. In that regard, she urged Hon Members through the necessary SADC water governance structures to conduct research in that field. She added that there was a strain on the region’s water due to pressure from increased abstraction as a result of population increase. Industrialisation as well as the effects of climate change also contributed to the pressure. Ms Mbale emphasised the importance of ensuring that there was a balance between competing pressures for different usesto ensure a water secure region.
 
 
Ms Mbale summed up her presentation by stating that it was imperative for Member States to adopt an integrated and basin wide approach to development. In that light, she informed Hon Members that WWF was supporting a project in the Kwando region that involved four SADC countries, namely; Angola, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. She informed the meeting that WWF supported the Kwando Joint Action Group by providing a platform for dialogue on how best to manage the Kwando River. As part of its continued efforts to promote cooperation among Member States, WWF planned to offer support towards formulation of a Strategic Environmental Assessment to harmonise developmental activities of the affected countries.
 
6. Presentation on SADC Programmes on Water and Natural Resources Management
 
The presentation was delivered by Dr Patrice Kabeya, Senior Programme Officer and Mr Duncan Samikwa both from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Water Division.
 
The meeting was informed that the SADC Water Vision was based on equitable and sustainable utilisation of water for social and environmental justice, regional integration and economic benefit for present and future generations. In line with the Regional Strategic Action Plan (RSAP), which had a five year cycle, the SADC region envisioned to have a water secure region which was resilient, peaceful and prosperous.
 
Hon Members were further informed that the SADC region was committed to deliver on its aspirations through various water projects and programmes. He stated that a Framework had been formulated which resonated with the RSAP and embedded the regional goals of economic growth and development, peace and security, equity and social inclusion, regional integration and sustainable development with specific thematic areas on energy security, safety security from water related disasters, health and food, water supply and sanitation services. The Framework was guided by three pillars, namely, Water Governance and Integration Pillar; Water Infrastructure Development Pillar; and Water ResourcesManagement Pillar.
 
Hon Members were informed that the SADC Regional Agriculture Policy (RAP) of 2014, the Regional Agriculture Investment Plan (RAIP) and the Food and Nutrition Strategy had an impact on the region’s water resources. Further, RAIP objective one stated that ‘Access to factors of production, water and resource agriculture and energy for and from agriculture’ had a huge bearing on the water and energy sectors. Whereas priority number two of the RAIP promoted collective action among countries in addressing water issues of transboundary nature.
 
Dr Kabeya informed Hon Members that the regulatory and policy framework of the SADC water sector was governed by the RegionalProtocol on Shared Watercourses (2000), Regional Water Policy (2005) and Regional Water Strategy (2006).He informed the meeting The SADCSecretariat in partnership with cooperating partners had implemented anumber of programmes and projects as outlined below.
 
  1. Two cross-border water projects, namely, Lomahasha-Namaacha Water Supply and Sanitation Project between Eswatini and Mozambique and Kazungula Water Project in Zambia supported by the SADC Regional Water Fund.
  2. The Climate Resilient Projects (through United Kingdom support in collaboration with the USAID and other partners.
  3. Establishment and Strengthening of River Basin Organisations (RBOs), managing the joint programmes of various basins
  4. Groundwater Development – for improved and sustainable livelihoods supported by the SADC GMI and World Bank supported)
  5. Water, Energy and Food Security (WEF) nexus project (supported by the European Union).
  6. Cross-Border WASH Projects (as a COVID-19 related response), the SADC Secretariat received funding from the Germany Government, so far pilot projects were being implemented between the borders of the Republic of South Africa and Zimbabwe. If successful, other the project to be replicated in other SADC borders.
  7. The Water Transfer Project called the Songwe River Multi-purpose Infrastructure Development Project between Lesotho and Botswana and the Lesotho-Highlands Project.
  8. Capacity building Development and research programmes: Waternet Programme: Running a flagship Masters Programme on IWRM, offered mainly at the Universities of Zimbabwe and Tanzania Dar-es- Salaam and the Southern African NEPAD Water Centre of Excellence Programme.

 

Mr Samikwa informed the meeting that the RAIP had seven programmes, the second programme focused on agriculture infrastructure development whose objective was to enhance access to agriculture infrastructure including water, energy, land, roads, storage and other relevant infrastructure. It was hoped that this would result in effective and efficient production systems for improved productivity.
 
The meeting was briefed on the water infrastructure developments in the region. The meeting was informed that the feasibility study for the Chirundu Cross- Border Water Supply and Sanitation Project between Zambia and Zimbabwe had been completed under the auspices of the German and United Kingdom Governments. The meeting was further informed that the detailed designs for the Lomahasha and Namaacha water project had been completed and the tender was issued in March, 2021 for construction. With regard the Kazungula Water Project, feasibility studies were completed and detailed designs were earmarked for completion in July 2021, supported from the Germany Government through the SADC Water Fund. Mr Samikwa stated that the beneficiary Statesfor the Kazungula Water Project included Eswatini, Mozambique and Zambia.
 
In terms of the industrialisation and nexus approach, the meeting was informed that through support from the European Union, the SADC Secretariat was implementing the WEF nexus project. In that regard, a Regional WEF Framework had been developed and was approved by the SADC Water Ministers responsible for water in October, 2020. Hon Members were further informed that following adoption of the Framework, a regional tool had been developed to guide implementation of the WEF, among other uses, the tool would be used for screening for joint WEF investment programmes in the region. The meeting was further informed that the SADC Secretariat had received support and funding from the European Union for the second phase of the project.
 
 
With regard programmes on water resource management for sustainable development, Dr Kabeya informed Hon Members that a SADC Groundwater Management Institute, Centre of Excellence based in South Africa was established to spearhead the programme. He added that livelihood demonstration projects under the progamme were completed except for those in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The first phase of the project was supported by the World Bank and based on its success, the second phase would be would also be supported by the Bank. To that effect, Hon Members were informed that the SADC Secretariat had commenced negotiations on the finalisation and subsequent signing of the grant agreement for phase II of the Project.
 
Hon Members were further informed that various cooperating partners were providing assistance to the SADC Secretariat in order to support River Basin Organisations (RBO). The results of such partnerships were evidenced by the creation of the newly established Cuvelai Watercourse Commission between Angola and Namibia, the INCO-MAPUTO RBO for Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa which was in the process of being established, with an interim Secretariat already in place.With regard, the Buzi-Pungwe-Save Tri-basin RBO between Mozambique and Zimbabwe, both countries had committed to establish the RBO and negotiations were ongoing on the specific basin agreements.
 
In terms of enhancing stakeholder engagementsin the water sector, Hon Members were informed that there were several gender capacity building  activities being implemented with a specific thematic focus on gender, gender for budgeting, gender mainstreaming, gender in infrastructure development. Others included the Gender Focal Point training workshops, including the establishment ofa Regional Youth Forum borne out of stakeholder engagements. The SADC Secretariat was in the process of sourcing for funds to operationalise the Regional Youth Forum.
 
7. Presentation on the SADC Programme on Water and Natural Resources Management
 
The final presentation was made by Mr Andrew Takawira and Mr Kidanemariam from the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa.
The presentation highlighted some of the key challenges of managing water
resources as outlined below.
 
(a) Uneven distribution of water resources in the region
 
The region’s water resources potential was estimated at 2 300 km3/year of the renewable freshwater resources. However, the distribution of the resources in the region was uneven with annual average rainfall ranging from 300 mm per year in Namibia to 1530 mm per year in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
 
(b)Climate change impacts on water resources
 
A number of climate change impacts as evidenced by floods in some parts of the region for instance the 2019 cyclone Idai was cited as having destroyed and damaged about US$$1 billion of infrastructure, 100,000 homes, and 1 million acres of crops. Further, drought affected water sources by draying up rivers, depleting groundwater, causing changes in the rainfall distribution, degraded wetlands which were critical ecosystems for supporting various services.
 
(c) Coping with increasing demands for water compared to supply
 
Increasing population, urbanisation and economic activities made it difficult to sustain key services having an impact on the demand for water compared to the supply.
 
(d) The issue of low investments to meet the demand for water was a major concern for the region.
 
Mr Takawira briefed Hon Members on some of the capacity building programmes it undertook with other institutions to ameliorate some of the challenges that the region faced. Hon Members were informed that the SADC Ground Water Management Institute (SADC-GMI), was a subsidiary institute of SADC Secretariat and all the sixteen SADC countries belonged to SADC-GMI. The meeting was further informed that GWP collaborated with WaterNet also a SADC subsidiary institute that was hosted by the University of Zimbabwe to promote capacity building programmes in the water sector. WaterNet had a membership of seventy eight mainly from universities and academic institutions that focused on water resource management in the region and offered masters and doctorates programmes including short professional courses in integrated water resource management. The Institute also contributed to the SADC research agenda by supporting research activities. Notably, the Institute conducted outreach programmes in the form of symposia on an annual basis, where young scientists had a platform to showcase their work.
 
Mr Kidanemariam informed the Hon Members about other progammes that GWP and SADC Secretariat collaborated in line with RSAP. He cited the SADC Transboundary Water Programme, SADC Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus  Programme, SADC Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) and the Africa Continental Water Investment Program (AIP) as part the programmes being implemented jointly between GWP and SADC. He explained that under the AIP programme, there were sub programmes such as Gender Transformative, Weather Climate Development Programme and the Programme Infrastructure Development in Africa programmes. There were also country level water partnerships, providing multi stakeholder platforms on water issues.
 
Mr Kidanemariam noted that the gender dimension was very important towards efforts to build climate resilience because of the different vulnerabilities that people experienced. He stated that vulnerabilities manifested in terms of failure by people to access natural resources such as land and water, coupled with lack of access to information and technology. He added that certain policies and social norms also created inequalities between different members of society. In that regard, the Gender Equality in Water Security and Climate Resilience Building programme was a huge milestone towards ensuring climate water security resilience for all. Still on climate change, Mr Kidanemariam informed the meeting that GWP through the African Union Africa Water Investment Programme, offered capacity building support to Member States to develop bankable project proposals to access finance from the Green Climate Fund.
 
Hon Members were informed that the continent’s water investments ought to be US$64 billion per year in order to achieve some of the aspirations of Agenda 2063. Lamentably, water investments stood at between US$10 billion to US$19 billion per year. Mr Kidanemariam informed the Committee that efforts were underway through the Africa Water Investment Programme under the African Union to mobilise about US$30 billion by the year 2030.
 
STATEMENT OF PLEA BY HON CARLOS MANUEL, MP, ON BEHALF OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOZAMBIQUE ON ITS INTENTION TO APPLY FOR PERMANENT MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN)
 
Hon Manuel stated that the theme considered by the FANR Committee was very important taking into consideration that the water sector was among the most affected by the adverse effects of climate change. He further explained that Hon Members as representatives of the people in the SADC region had a duty to  contribute towards efforts to make the region water secure. He informed Hon Members that he was a bearer of a message from the Republic of Mozambique concerning his country’s intention to present its candidature as a permanent member of the Security Council of the UN at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly to be held in June, 2022. He further informed Hon Members that Mozambique’s intention had already been endorsed by the African Union, SADC, Portuguese speaking countries as well as the Caribbean community. He stated that Mozambique was optimistic that it would secure a place on the UN Security Council given its contribution towards the liberation movement of the Southern African countries. He added that Mozambique was one of the founding members of the frontline countries in the successful implementation of peace building operations of the UN between the years 1992 and 1994. He ended by making a clarion call to SADC Member States to support Mozambique’s candidature.
 
Statement by the Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum
 
The Secretary General extended gratitude to the resource persons for providing the Committee with valuable information. She informed Hon Members that the presentations had brought to light an interesting dimension in as far as interrogating water resource management in the region was concerned. She added that the Standing Committee on FANR could in the future undertake a study on a similar theme with special focus on water resource governance during pandemics. The Secretary General informed the meeting that water had become an important resource especially during the COVID 19 pandemic, where as in the past water was mainly relegated to domestic, industrial and other uses, the pandemic had actually revealed the importance of water in the health sector. In that regard, the Secretary General noted that it was important for the region to understand the clinical manifestation of water borne infections during pandemics.
 
Conclusions and Resolutions
 
Following the presentations and discussions, the FANR Committee concluded
and resolved as follows:
 
  1. There was need for the SADC Member States to conduct research in order to ascertain the potential of groundwater in the region. This would result in effective planning and sustainable management of water.
  2. The Committee made a clarion call to Member States to appreciate and provide support towards implementation of the WEF nexus programme, noting that water challenges were becoming complex and interfering with the key developmental sectors such as energy, agriculture, transportationand communication, among others.
  3. In light of the WEF nexus approach, there was a need for respective Member States to ensure that the policies, strategies and legislation onwater were aligned to the principles of integrated water resource management.
  4. The Committee resolved to urge Members States to adopt an integratedand basin wide approach to development, noting that developmentalactivities of one Member State could have a negative impact on another country.
  5. There was need to provide support to SADC Parliamentarians to enable them address new and emerging challenges such as climate change, COVID 19 pandemic, gender and social inequalities all of which impacted water resource management.
  6. SADC Parliamentarians to strengthen their representative role and utilise it to raise awareness on the challenges that beset water resource management in the region.
  7. Need for strengthened oversight and harmonisation of legislation across the SADC region to ensure smooth and effective implementation of programmes.
  8. SADC Parliaments to lobby respective Governments to increase budgetary allocations towards the water sector to promote investments that can guarantee a water secure region.

 

The Acting Chairperson thanked the Members for their participation and valuable contributions. He also placed on record his appreciation for the expert information which was shared by the resource persons and expressed the Committee’s desire to learn more about integrated water resource management.
 
There being no further business, the FANR Committee meeting was adjourned at 12:20 hours.
 
_______________________________                                      ________________________
Hon. Lekhetho Mosito                                                              Sharon B M Nyirongo
ACTING CHAIRPERSON                                                        COMMITTEE SECRETARY
THEME: PARTICIPATION OF PARLIAMENTS TOWARDS BUILDING RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS IN THE SADC REGION THROUGH ENHANCED PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT
 
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Agriculture is both a source of food security and a core economic activity across all SADC Member States. The agriculture sector has significant social and economic importance in the SADC region, contributing between 4 percent and 27 percent of Gross Domestic Product among the different SADC countries, and approximately 13 percent of export earnings overall. Furthermore, about 70 percent of the region’s population depends on agriculture for food, income, and employment.
 
Public Financial Management (PFM) relates to how governments raise public resources and manage these public resources and the immediate and medium to long term effect of these sources on the economy and citizens.2 Parliamentarians, as elected officials representing their constituencies, play a critical role throughout the PFM cycle. PFM policies vary by country and can cover issues related to tax law, budget management, debt management, subsidies, and state-owned enterprises. A well-functioning PFM system is critical to ensuring accountability and efficiency in the use of public financial resources, while a weak PFM system can result in significant wastage of scarce resources.
 
SADC countries have committed to several continental and regional aspirations on agriculture some of which include, the Maputo Declaration, which calls for
  1. https://www.sadc.int/themes/agriculture-food-security/
  2. https://www.cabri-sbo.org/uploads/files/Documents/Cabri_Module-1-ENG.pdf
  3. https://www.fpfinancingroadmap.org/learning/specific-topics/public-financial-management
Member States to increase agricultural budget allocations to 10 percent and pursue agricultural growth of 6 percent in addition to setting up the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). Other instruments include the Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) of 2013 and Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (RAIP) for the period 2017-2022, among others. Despite such efforts, progress in agriculture in the region remains static, partly due to lack of accountability and transparency in the use ofpublic resources in implementing agricultural programmes. Many countries in the world face challenges related to financial mismanagement such as poor financial reporting practice, weak internal control systems, weak financial
administration, unethical relationships with vendors of agriculture suppliesand rush spending of budget at the end of the budget year.5 This, coupled with corruption in government contracts or licenses for agricultural supplies, make it difficult for agriculture to thrive.
 
Further, poor quality, undelivered goods and high prices are typical outcomes from collusion between government officials and private sector firms. In some instances, government agencies connive with private companies in purchasing fertiliser at exorbitant prices and in turn receive a share of the profit. Without a doubt, this has increased the cost of agricultural production and eliminated
competition in the fertiliser industry as small agro dealers have little chance of obtaining government contracts. This eventually affects some farmers who receive low quality planting materials, unhealthy farm animals and are victims of undelivered farm equipment from the state.6 In addition, fraudulent schemes involving other agricultural inputs such as seed and fertilisers are common. Corruption in the allocation of government subsidies, bribery in government contracts or licences for agricultural supplies are also rampant.7 Given the vastness of the agricultural sector, from small scale subsistence farming to large commercial plantations, understanding the sector's value chain to map appropriate corruption risks and anti-corruption measures can be a helpful exercise.
 
The agricultural sector has long been identified as fundamental to transforming
livelihoods and opportunities on the African continent and has the potential to
do a lot to address this imbalance. 80 percent of farmers in sub-Saharan Africa
are smallholders, typically with less than two hectares of land.8 Poverty is
 
  1. For the Maputo Declaration, see: https://bit.ly/2PQ4EhX
  2. TRANSTEC, Public Governance: Public Finance Management Research Park, Last update January 2017, Belgium www.transtec.be
  3. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/34085/Main-Report.pdf?sequence=4
  4. Zúñiga, N. 2018. Land corruption: Topic guide. Transparency International.
  5. The Role of Smallholder Farms in a Changing World. The Role of Smallholder Farms in Food and Nutrition Security, 2020 ISBN : 978-3-030-42147-2Shenggen Fan, Christopher Rue
pervasive amongst them, with millions living below the poverty line. Farmers have little power to fight corrupt institutions. However, transparent management of the agricultural sector that empowers farmers through robust PFM could be one of the best tools the region has to fight poverty at scale. A healthy and prosperous agricultural sector which is regularly overseen by Parliament could be the engine for economic growth on the continent. The World Bank projects that agriculture and agribusiness in Africa have the potential to make up a US$1 trillion industry by 2030, but this will only happen if embezzlement, fraud and bribery are addressed. Transparency is a potent weapon in fighting corruption. The public sector should prioritise efforts to create and enforce legal frameworks that promote transparency and root out corruption.
 
2.0 LEVERAGING THE PFM MODEL LAW TO ELEVATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
 
Oversight of PFM frameworks by Parliament can become a powerful tool to heighten the strength and resilience of agricultural systems. Members of Parliament can interrogate Governmental measures relating to agriculture in the budget and demand explanations on the fulfilment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture. The pathway to query the alignment with the SDGs is provided for in the Model Law on PFM which is under development at the Forum. This would occur in the form of an SDG Statement and other statements which compare the level of agricultural development with standards set out in international treaties and conventions signed by the Member States. The scrutiny of budget measures with respect to the SDGs and other commitments taken will augment the stimulus for the Executive to promote pro-agricultural measures with a view of harmonising national and regional agendas, thus ultimately benefiting food security and agriculture in the SADC region.
 
In addition, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is the main parliamentary body exercising oversight on Government accounts, will haveenhanced powers under the Model Law to scrutinise reports from decentralised agricultural bodies and departments. Currently, the PAC usually has the power to only review the report of the Auditor General. With the advent of the Model Law, the PAC will be empowered to look at all accounting and financial reports of agricultural bodies and organisations which are funded by the State. Under the Model Law, Parliament will also exercise control over the debt ceiling of the State, and hence more domestic funding would be available in the long term to finance programmes for food security and agro-business.
 
3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
 
  1.  https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/03/04/africas-food-markets-could-create-one-trilliondollar-opportunity-2030
The aim of the meeting of the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and
Natural Resources is to explore how effective public finance management can
be utilised as a tool to build resilient agricultural systems in the region.
 
The specific objectives are to:
 
  1. assess how the Model Law can contribute to improved utilisation of public financial resources and enhance the performance of the agriculture sector in the SADC region;
  2. establish the challenges inhibiting effective public finance management in the agriculture sector, and assess how the Model Law can be utilised to develop a turnaround strategy;
  3. make recommendations on how legislatures can use their oversight role to foster effective public finance management in the agriculture sector; and
  4. reflect on a theme for the 51st Plenary Assembly of the Forum in line with current regional and world affairs, such as the energy crisis i.e the upward escalation of oil, natural gas and diesel prices due to speculations on the energy market, and the need for the SADC region to be more energy efficient and attain SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy.
 
4.0 PARTICIPANTS
The meeting is designed for Honourable Members of the SADC PF Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
 
5.0 METHODOLOGY
This meeting will be held Johannesburg, South Africa. A panel of experienced resource persons will make presentations, followed by an interactive session to explore ways in which Parliaments can utilise their oversight function to enhance public finance management in the agriculture sector in the SADC region. Therefore, the Session will be delivered through presentations. Further, Hon Members will be provided an opportunity to engage the resource persons during the plenary session.
 
6.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
It is expected that Hon Members will gain a deeper understanding on what is required to build resilient agriculture systems through enhanced social accountability and effectivje public finance management.

About Us

The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was established in 1997 in accordance with Article 9 (2) of the SADC Treaty as an autonomous institution of SADC It is a regional inter-parliamentary body composed of Thirteen (14) parliaments representing over 3500 parliamentarians in the SADC region. Read More

Contact us

Address: ERF 578, Love Street off Robert Mugabe Avenue Windhoek, Namibia

Tel: (+264 61) 287 00 00

Email: