Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs WINDHOEK - 3 - 12 FEBRUARY 1997
In August 1996, the Heads of State Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) decided unanimously to appoint South Africa as the Chair of SADC. President Mandela accepted the responsibility to chair this regional organisation for a three year period with effect from 1 September 1996.
Chairing the Annual Consultative Conference in Namibia will be the first opportunity for South Africa to take up its regional responsibility to provide political guidance and leadership to the region.
Accordingly, Min Alfred Nzo, Minister of Foreign Affairs will depart for Windhoek, Namibia, on 4 February 1997 to chair the annual SADC Consultative Conference with the theme: Productivity - key to sustainable development in SADC. The objective of the conference is to promote understanding of the significance of productivity and to initiate steps towards the establishment of a productivity movement in the region through dialogue with all key stakeholders and to investigate mechanisms to address productivity on an ongoing basis.
Minister Nzo will chair the SADC Council of Ministers Meeting during 6-7 February 1997 which will be attended by more than 30 regional Ministers.
Minister Nzo will also chair a Ministerial Workshop on Gender the purpose of which is to create mechanisms in SADC to promote the consideration and implementation of gender issues in the region. A Ministerial Meeting between SADC and its International Cooperating Partners from the NORDIC Countries will also be held to discuss regional issues of mutual concern and to agree on a programme of action in the fields of co-operation already identified.
For additional information please contact: Pieter Swanepoel Cel no: 083 225 0209
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 4 FEBRUARY 1997