SADC summit measured by impact on people’s lives: Ramaphosa

Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chairperson President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized that the success of the 46th summit will be determined by its impact on the lives of people in the region’s 16 member states. During the recent Heads of State and Government meeting in Durban, the bloc signed three legal instruments and committed to industrialization and the beneficiation of its mineral resources.

Ramaphosa stated that his chairmanship will focus on implementing the resolutions taken during the summit. He believes that citizens will ultimately judge the chairmanship based on the difference made in their lives. The primary challenge now is to accelerate implementation, Ramaphosa added. He further emphasized that progress must be measured not only by the number of meetings held and agreements signed but also in terms of rehabilitated railway infrastructure, generated megawatts of electricity, reduced border-crossing times, established factories, expanded intra-regional trade, and job creation. This should define the next phase of SADC's development.