Dear Members, Parliamentarians and Partners,

It is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement on the occasion of the Day of the African Child, commemorated in 2024 under the theme “Education for all Children in Africa: the Time in Now”. This theme congruently resonates with the theme of the African Union for 2024 which focuses on building resilient education systems for an increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa, and represents a positive step towards closing the gaps to attain Sustainable Development Goal 4 on equitable quality education.

STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD, 16 JUNE 2024

Prezados Membros, Parlamentares e Parceiros,

É com imenso prazer que divulgo esta Declaração por ocasião do Dia da Criança Africana, comemorado em 2024 sob o tema “Educação para todas as Crianças em África: Este é o Momento Oportuno”. Este tema está em consonância com o tema da União Africana para 2024, que se centra na criação de sistemas de educação resilientes para maior acesso à aprendizagem inclusiva,  permanente,  de  qualidade  e  relevante  em  África, e representa um passo positivo no sentido de colmatar as lacunas para se atingir o Objectivo  de  Desenvolvimento Sustentável  n.° 4  sobre  educação de qualidade e equitativa.

DECLARAÇÃO DA SECRETÁRIA-GERAL DO FÓRUM PARLAMENTAR DA SADC SOBRE O DIA DA CRIANÇA AFRICANA, 16 DE JUNHO DE 2024

By Moses Magadza

The Former Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Dr Esau Chiviya, a Zimbabwean who served at the helm of the regional interparliamentary body, died on Monday 3^rd June 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, according to a statement by the Forum. Dr. Chiviya will be buried in his home country, Zimbabwe on a date to be announced.

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.

Estimados Senhores Presidentes, Senhores Deputados,

Colegas e Parceiros, É com grande prazer que apresento esta mensagem aos Parlamentos Membros do Fórum e aos seus parceiros, no momento em que se assinala o Dia Internacional das Florestas, dia esse que está a ser observado internacionalmente sob o tema: "Florestas e Inovação: Novas Soluções para um Mundo Melhor".

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.’’