JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence in the future of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), declaring that the regional bloc is “in good hands” as its leadership rotates for the 2025–2026 term.
Ramaphosa was among leaders who gathered in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Sunday for the 45th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government. The annual meeting brought together presidents, prime ministers, and senior officials from across the 16-member bloc to deliberate on pressing regional challenges, assess progress, and chart a way forward for the year ahead.
The summit centred on strengthening industrial capacity, building resilient regional value chains, modernising agriculture, and ensuring an inclusive transition to clean and sustainable energy. These themes align with SADC’s long-term development blueprint, the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), which emphasises economic integration, food security, and infrastructure development.
African leaders presented a series of reports and policy proposals designed to guide the bloc’s collective actions. Key discussions also touched on the need to address persistent issues such as youth unemployment, climate change, and equitable access to resources, while reinforcing SADC’s commitment to deeper regional integration.
While SADC has long been criticised for slow implementation and its perceived ineffectiveness in tackling governance problems and regional conflicts, Ramaphosa struck an optimistic tone. He stressed that the organisation has the leadership and institutional strength to overcome these hurdles.
Ramaphosa Assures Region That SADC Is in Capable Hands
This year, Zimbabwe handed over the rotating chairmanship of SADC to Madagascar. President Andry Rajoelina now assumes the responsibility of guiding the bloc’s agenda through to the next summit, before South Africa takes over in 2026.
Ramaphosa paid tribute to the efforts of Zimbabwe during its tenure, noting that Harare had advanced important programmes aimed at economic resilience and industrialisation. He said he was confident that Madagascar would build on these gains and steer the community further towards unity and prosperity.
“We are confident that under your stewardship, SADC will continue to advance regional integration, economic resilience, and sustainable development,” Ramaphosa told Rajoelina. “May your tenure be marked by unity, innovation, and progress for all member states.”
His words were received as both an endorsement of Madagascar’s leadership and a reassurance to sceptics that SADC remains committed to delivering on its promises.
Despite the optimistic messaging, analysts note that SADC continues to face major challenges. The region has struggled with instability in parts of Mozambique, political tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and fragile democratic processes in some member states. Critics argue that the bloc has often been too cautious in responding to these crises, preferring quiet diplomacy over decisive action.
Economically, the region grapples with high levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Climate shocks, such as prolonged droughts and cyclones, have further strained food security. Against this backdrop, the focus on industrialisation, agriculture, and energy at the Madagascar summit reflects the urgent need to build resilience and self-sufficiency.
Ramaphosa, however, urged patience and solidarity. He emphasised that progress is a gradual process, requiring both political will and coordinated action. “SADC has the structures, the leadership, and the collective wisdom to rise above these challenges. What is needed is for member states to commit fully to implementation and to deepen our cooperation in every sector,” he said.
South Africa is set to assume the chairmanship of SADC in 2026, a development that will place Pretoria at the centre of guiding the region’s integration and development agenda. Observers believe Ramaphosa’s remarks in Madagascar were also a signal of South Africa’s readiness to play a bigger role in shaping SADC’s future direction.
The Madagascan chairmanship will therefore serve as a bridge between Zimbabwe’s initiatives and South Africa’s anticipated leadership. Rajoelina has pledged to strengthen regional trade, expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises, and prioritise youth development – issues that resonate across the bloc.
For Ramaphosa, affirming confidence in SADC’s leadership was not only about diplomacy but also about building trust among citizens of the region. With scepticism around the bloc’s effectiveness, the South African leader’s message was designed to project stability, reassure investors, and encourage a sense of collective ownership among member states.
By stressing unity and innovation, Ramaphosa also sought to remind the region that its strength lies in collaboration. “No single country can meet the challenges we face alone,” he said. “But together, through SADC, we can unlock the full potential of Southern Africa and ensure prosperity for future generations.”
As the Madagascar summit concluded, the mood was one of cautious optimism. Leaders departed with renewed commitments to industrialisation, agricultural modernisation, and an inclusive energy future. For Ramaphosa, the message was clear: despite its shortcomings, SADC remains a vital instrument for regional development and integration, and its leadership is well placed to guide the community forward.
Source- EWN
