Dear Parliamentarians, Colleagues and Partners,

It gives me great pleasure to present this message to the Member Parliaments of the Forum and its partners in honour of World Environment Day 2024, which is being observed under the theme: “Our land. Our Future.” with a focus on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

The SADC Parliamentary Forum is one of 18 regional assemblies globally that come together annually under the coordination mechanism on counter terrorism and prevention of violent extremism. The speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, Honorable Roger Mancienne (RM), is the President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. He led the SADC PF delegation to the Fifth Counter-Terrorism Coordination Meeting of Parliamentary Assemblies in Istanbul, Türkiye in May. In this exclusive interview with SADC PF Media and Communications Officer Dr. Moses Magadza (MM), Hon Mancienne shares his views on attending this meeting as well as on the role of Parliament in responding to terrorism.

Dear Citizens of South Africa,

As you vote today in the 7^th General Elections, I extend my warm wishes to each one of you on behalf of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF). This is a critical moment in your nation’s democratic journey, and your participation in the voting process today is a clear demonstration of your unwavering commitment to democratic principles, which is a key ingredient in strengthening the vibrancy of South African democracy.

Honorables présidents de parlement, honorables membres,

chers collègues et partenaires, C’est avec un grand plaisir que j’adresse ce message aux parlements membres du Forum et à ses partenaires à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des forêts qui est célébrée à l’échelle internationale et qui est placée sous le thème « Forêts et innovation : de nouvelles solutions pour un monde meilleur ».

Dear Parliamentarians, Fellow Africans and Partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this statement to the SADC PF’s Member Parliaments, partners and fellow Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, as we celebrate Africa Day 2024. This day marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU), and symbolises our unity, resilience and shared commitment to the progress of our continent.

Africa Day 2024 is an opportunity to reflect on the AU theme for this year, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa." This theme resonates deeply with our collective aspirations for a brighter future in education for all Africans, without discrimination of any kind.

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

The Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC) is meeting today 22 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Enhancing the Role of the RPMLOC in Monitoring the Domestication of SADC Model Laws and Implementation of Related Policies and Laws through Structured Reporting Frameworks and Mechanisms: A Look at the Domestication of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.’’

By Moses Magadza in Johannesburg, South Africa

The SADC PF Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) will hold its meeting from 19 to 21 May 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa under the theme: “Promoting Climate Action in Parliaments to strengthen Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture; Enhance SRHR Outcomes; and Govern Natural Resources Effectively.’’