Southern African Research and Documentation Centre

12/09/2025

Download the publication for the 45th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government held in Antananarivo, Madagascar on 17 August 2025, under the theme, "Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.” https://wp.me/p4h5b0-2SI

02/09/2025

SADC climate experts are convening in Lusaka, Zambia until 11 September to produce the regional seasonal outlook, an essential tool that provides early guidance on the expected rainfall and temperature patterns for the region, allowing Member States to prepare in advance.

Timely use of this forecast supports decisions such as crop planning, water management, disaster risk reduction, energy production, and public health measures, thereby reducing vulnerabilities and potential losses.

26/08/2025

Heroes Day is a public holiday in Namibia which commemorates the start of the war of liberation on 26 August 1966 at Omugulugwombashe, bringing Independence 24 years later, supported by the people of Namibia, and the continent of Africa.

The first shots of the liberation war were fired on 26 August 1966 in the Omusati Region of northern Namibia, marking a strategic shift from reliance on the politics of protests and petitioning as the main form of anti-colonial struggle, although these continued in tandem.

25/08/2025

Read more about the roundtable here:

Fish production soars by 25% in 3 years

25/08/2025

Statement from the Executive Director of SARDC at the Donor Roundtable held on 21st August 2025

20/08/2025

After the SADC Troika, comes the SADC Organ Troika which is responsible for promoting peace and security. This is composed of Presidents:

Dr Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi) - Chairperson
King Mswati III (Eswatini) - Incoming Chairperson
Samia Suluhu Hassan (Tanzania) - Outgoing Chairperson

When the SADC Troika and Organ Troika meet, it is called a Double Troika Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the SADC

20/08/2025

The new leadership of the SADC Troika, following the successful hosting of the in Madagascar on 17 August. Presidents:

Andry Rajoelina (Madagascar) - Chairperson
Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa)- Incoming Chairperson
Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe) -Outgoing Chairperson

The SADC Troika is empowered to take quick decisions on behalf of SADC that would ordinarily be taken at policy meetings scheduled at regular intervals, as well as the power to provide policy direction to SADC institutions in between regular SADC Summits.

18/08/2025

Elias Mpedi Magosi has been re-appointed as SADC Executive Secretary for a second term, and is expected to lead the regional organisation until 2029.

Read the full article on our website

SANF 25 no 21 by Clarkson Mambo Elias Mpedi Magosi has been re-appointed as SADC Executive Secretary for a second term, and is expected to lead the regional organisation until 2029. The decision wa…

14/08/2025

Madagascar has taken over from Zimbabwe as chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers.

The Council is convening from 12 to 14 August to deliberate on key programmes, policies & interventions aimed at accelerating regional integration & strengthening peace and security.

The meeting is being held under the theme: “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC.”

The SADC Council of Ministers oversees the function and development of SADC and ensures that policies and decisions are implemented accordingly.

It consists of ministers from each of the 16 SADC member states; usually from the ministries responsible for Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Economic Planning. Finance or Trade.

It meets twice a year in March and August just before the Summit of Heads of State and Government.

The Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held on 17 August.

13/08/2025

SADC and East African Community to hold a virtual summit this Wednesday to discuss the security situation in the eastern DRC.

The meeting will get updates on progress made following the last meeting held on 1 August 2025 which endorsed the merger of East African Community, SADC & African Union peace structures.

11/08/2025

The Heroes’ Day in Zimbabwe is marked to honour the sons and daughters of the country, both fallen and living, who fought in the struggle for independence. The day is followed by Defence Forces Day, an occasion to honour the role of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contributing to international peace and stability.

Heroes Day is commemorated on the second Monday of August in Zimbabwe but the story of the country's struggle for independence is incomplete without mention of the leaders of the Frontline States and their people who stood by the Zimbabwean brothers and sisters.

August 11 is Heroes Day in Zimbabwe to honour the lives of the men and women who fought for the country’s independence, for which many gave their lives, and those who have contributed to the development of post-independence Zimbabwe.

The day is followed by National Defence Forces Day, to honour the role of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces in protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contributing to international peace and stability.

25/07/2025

The COP 15 Wetlands Conference has roared into life in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe with delegates expressing the important role wetlands play in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. COP 15 is being held under the theme, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, and the conference will spotlight the value of wetlands and create new avenues for collaborative conservation to protect and restore the wetland ecosystems. Data from the Ramsar Convention Secretariat shows that wetlands cover just 6% of the Earth’s surface, yet 37% have been lost since 1971, while freshwater species populations have declined by 84% since 1970.