Your Excellency President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa,
Honourable Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs in Member States in the SADC region,
Your Excellency Mr Elias Mpedi Magosi, Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community,
Honourable Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Thami Ntuli,
His Worship, Mayor of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, Mr Cyril Xaba,
Your Worships, Mayors and Speakers of the respective District and Local Municipalities,
Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Professor Nana Noku,
Judge President of the KwaZulu-Natal Division, Justice T. Dlwati,
Diplomatic Corps of the respective Diplomatic Missions representatives based in the Republic of South Africa,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning!

It is a privilege to welcome you under the theme: Translating SADC Vision 2050 into Action: Pathways Towards Solidarity, Equality and Shared Prosperity.

The world is undergoing significant transformation. Great power competition is intensifying. Advanced economies are turning inward.

Events beyond our region affect food and energy security as well as jobs and livelihoods. Pandemics and climate disasters are a recurring threat.

Trade is weaponised to punish countries that don’t toe the line. Competition for Africa’s mineral wealth is prompting talk of another scramble for Africa.

These realities compel us to renew our determination to build a peaceful, inclusive and industrialised SADC where more than 400 million people can enjoy peace, justice, freedom and shared prosperity.

This SADC public lecture is a moment to take stock of our progress and the kilometres ahead on our journey towards Vision 2050 and the continental aspirations inscribed in Agenda 2063.

It is fitting, then, that this lecture, a space for dialogue among stakeholders, including policymakers, academics and the public, will be delivered by His Excellency President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa.

President Ramaphosa witnessed, participated in, and led the struggle that culminated in the fall of apartheid, the last bastion of colonial domination in our region and on the continent. Its defeat remains one of the high-water marks of Africa’s long walk to liberation and self-determination. As a negotiator and fervent champion of dialogue, his journey mirrors the coming into being of our democratic nation.

Through his words and actions, President Ramaphosa belongs to a cohort of African leaders who have advanced African agency and Pan-African solidarity. He has championed the reform and democratisation of global governance, meaningful African representation, coordinated responses to pandemics and Africa-led peace initiatives.

As narrow nationalism rises and some quarters rail against international cooperation and solidarity, his vision and leadership are critical. Fluent in multiple languages, President Ramaphosa shows us what it truly means to embrace diversity.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Please join me in welcoming to the stage a leader who brings history, experience and conviction to our region’s next chapter.

Your Excellency, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community, the podium is yours.