12 Nov 2013

Former president, Sir Ketumile Masire has commended the Southern African Development Community-Council of Non-Governmental Organisation (SADC-CNGO) for its effort in undertaking a study that seeks to investigate the nature of the SADC values in the region.

Speaking at the launch of the study recently, Sir Ketumile was adamant that the study was intended to establish where the organisation stood almost 40 years down the line, with specific reference to areas like solidarity, unity, peace, democracy, integration and development. The SADC-CNGO will undertake a study entitled: The SADC We Need: Towards Value-based Regional Integration and Development.

To attain this, Sir Ketumile said it was equally important to make an in-depth study of the different stages and mandate the organisation had to deal with as situations unfolded. Chronicling the events of the evolution of SADC, he highlighted how he was part of the Frontline States in 1970, with a mandate to co-ordinate efforts and responses and formulate a uniform policy towards Liberation Movements against white minority regimes especially South Africa’s apartheid policies. 

He said the organisation was formed with its objectives pursued with determination and vigour.\As the founding fathers, of SADC, he said they sought first to demonstrate the tangible benefits of working together, and to cultivate a climate of confidence and trust among member states.

“These objectives were translated into specific functional sectors, much more like ministerial allocations, and were assigned to individual member states to spearhead their implementation and delivery,” he said.

The ultimate objective of SADC, he said was to build a region in which there will be a high degree of harmonisation and rationalisation to enable the pooling of resources to achieve collective self-reliance in order to improve the living standards of the people of the region. He noted that the journey taken by the SADC body was not a smooth sailing affair.

“We had our own challenges at every stage but that did not discourage us. We soldiered on, hence the organisation we all can be proud of as a region”, he said.

He called on the SADC-CNGO to bear in mind as they analyse and critic the path so far taken through their study that the ultimate objective was to enable SADC to effectively address the developmental needs of the region.

He advised that the study should be able to at the end of it all, position the region to meet the challenges of the dynamic, ever changing and complex globalisation process as well as to take advantage of the opportunities offered by globalisation.

For his part, SADC-CNGO executive director, Mr Boichoko Ditlhake  commended  the forefathers of the SADC member states for the seeds they  planted that have sprouted and grown to give  the people of SADC, not only sustenance but shelter as well from the tempests and the storms which oftentimes blow across paths.

“The seeds have taken root in this African soil, penetrating deep and wide, while the nurturing waters of wisdom and virtue have at times run dry and our tree  not always given forth its harvest to all with abundance”,  he said.

In its 21st year of existence however, Mr Ditlhake said these founding values have given a lot of people a pause for thought and reflection. He said the SADC-Council of NGOs has undertaken this exercise to hold the mirror for itself and reflect back on what is seen now.

The introspection, he said is also an investigation into what the future may hold and what the options are which must be considered for the viable realisation of sustained, shared and equitable regional economic integration and development. He said his organisation comes as facilitator of an on-going dialogue between the citizens and states of SADC.

With no doubt, he said he was hopeful that the united efforts of the study will bring forth an even richer bounty for all to share and enjoy as the dividends of peace and justice are reaped by this and future generations. ENDS