President Jacob Zuma to lead South African Delegation to the 29th SADC Summit in Kinshasa, DRC 07 – 08 September 2009

Pretoria – South African President Jacob Zuma will lead the South African delegation to the 29th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place in Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 07 - 08 September 2009. President Zuma will be supported by the International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, who is already in the DRC cheering the Council of Ministers meeting, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Petterssen, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Ms Maria Ntuli, Director General of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba, International Relations and Cooperation adviser of President Zuma Ambassador Lindiwe Zulu and senior officials from various Government Departments.

As the outgoing Chair of SADC, President Zuma will handover the organisation’s chairmanship to the DRC during the Summit, however South Africa will remain a member of the SADC Troika until August 2010.

The Summit will consider the report from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation on the political situation in the region, with specific focus on Zimbabwe and Madagascar. Furthermore, the Summit will reflect on the Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration, particularly on the impact of the global financial crisis and the region’s response thereto; the status of implementation of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA); and the proposed SADC Customs Union.

In addition, the recommendations from the SADC Council of Ministers meeting will also be considered, including the following:

• Review of the Socio-Economic Situation in the Region e.g. Agriculture and Food Security, HIV and AIDS and Gender;

• Legal Instruments for Consideration;

• Report of the SADC Tribunal; and

• Appointment of Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretaries.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on 09 September 2009 ahead of the incoming visit of the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt on 10 September 2009 as well as the 2nd SA-EU Summit on 11 September 2009.

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria, 0001

05 September 2009