The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is in Dar-es-Salaam from 5th to 18th August 2019 for the 4th Industrialisation Week and the 39th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government. Over 2,000 people have registered to participate in a series of meetings and exhibitions from the 16 countries represented.
The history of SADC
Between the 1960s and 1990s, a group of Southern African countries came together with the goal of ending apartheid and white minority rule in South Africa. These countries, dubbed The Frontline States, included Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The first name for SADC was actually the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which was officially formed by representatives from 9 countries in 1980 in Lusaka, including Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland.
The number of countries grew to 10 as Namibia joined shortly after its independence in 1992, and the name of the organisation was changed from SADCC to SADC. The organisation was also changed to facilitate not only socio-economic cooperation but also political and security cooperation.
SADC continued to grow in membership to 11 countries in 1994 with the addition of newly-independant South Africa. At this time, the FLS disbanded to make room for a more inclusive and wider-mandated SADC. Since 1994, five more countries have joined, including:
- 1995 Mauritius
- 1997 Seychelles (which left in 2004 and re-joined in 2008)
- 1997 Democratic Republic of Congo
- 2014 Madagascar
- 2017 Comoros
Today the SADC headquarters are based in Gaborone, Botswana. More about the SADC history and institutions here.
Goals being set in 2019
This year’s Industrialisation Week theme is “A Conducive Environment for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development, increased intra-regional trade, and job creation”.
As host for this week, President Magufuli opened the week on 5th August 2019. One of his key notes was that industrialisation can help the region sustain itself: “Africa produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce“.
The extensive agenda for the week includes leadership meetings, launch of new media publications, public lectures, and gatherings for heads of states.
Opportunities for East African youth
Considering SADC’s history and Tanzania’s unique involvement in comparison to neighbouring Uganda and Kenya, Tanzanian youth have a few interesting opportunities.
First, Dar-es-Salaam is buzzing with new faces and it may be a great occasion to sharpen networking skills. A great time to do this is during meal times or after sessions, when people are digesting new information and looking to debrief on ideas.
Second, this is an easy way to learn how social, economic and political cooperation happens between countries. Learning about cooperation in the classroom is one thing, but seeing it happen on your daily feed – including learning people’s names, roles and initiatives signed – is another.
Third, get involved with the conversations on social media. Connect with friends and friends of friends who are involved or share what you see if you are involved. Ask questions, seek advice and share expertise to make SADC an even more open forum.
Stay in the know
- 2,000 register for SADC exhibitions
- Air Tanzania planning to fly to all SADC countries
- Chair seat of SADC Business Council changes Namibia to Tanzania
- Follow @SADC_News on Twitter
- Visit the SADC website
Header image courtesy of Dr. Stergomena Tax, Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC).
