TAMKO LA KATIBU MTENDAJI WA SADC KUFUATIA KUJIUZULU KWA JAKOB ZUMA

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), has noted the decision by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma to resign as the President of the Republic of South Africa. The Secretariat commends President Zuma for the statesmanship he has portrayed by accepting the decision of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC), and respecting and upholding the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. His decision has allowed for a peaceful and democratic transfer of political authority. President Zuma’s statesmanship is testament of his commitment as a national, regional, and international leader, to democratic values and precepts that engender political stability and good governance.

In the SADC region, his commitment towards advancing democratic principles, socio-economic development and enhancing the quality of life for the peoples of Southern Africa will be well remembered. During his tenure as the Chairperson of SADC, from August 2017, he among others, played an instrumental role in championing SADC’s current strategic partnerships with the private sector in developing industry and regional value-chains, and in championing the SADC Integration Agenda. He also played a critical role as Chairperson of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation where he, among others, guided and supported the political and reform processes in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Through his leadership, SADC continued to support the political and electoral processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Furthermore, the SADC Region will remember President Zuma’s contributions to the Southern Africa’s liberation agenda, in particular his contributions to the fight against apartheid and post-apartheid political dispensation in South Africa.

We also congratulate and commend the people of South Africa for the peaceful political transition, which is in conformity with the country’s Constitution, as well as regional and continental democratic principles.

The Secretariat further wishes to congratulate His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa for his election as the 5th President of the Republic of South Africa. We reaffirm SADC Secretariat’s commitment to support and work with the political leadership of the Republic of South Africa