SADC Parliamentary Forum
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA — The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Honourable Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda has declared readiness to host the 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), which starts this week.
The picturesque tourist city of Victoria Falls will be the venue of the plenary that will take place from 2nd to 8th June 2025 under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges, and Opportunities.”
I. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
The SADC Parliamentary Forum is an institutional organ of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) which is mandated to promote inter-parliamentary cooperation and convergence on issues of regional interest by inter alia developing legal normative content that can serve as benchmarking guidance for national Parliaments. The overarching objective of the SADC Model Law on Prison Oversight is to ensure that Parliaments are sufficiently empowered through legal provisions to demand accountability from the government for protecting prisoners’ rights.
SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
JOB ADVERTISEMENT AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
WE ARE HIRING - PROGRAMME OFFICER – CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH/SRHR
Advertisement: Programme Officer – Climate Change, Environment and Health / SRHR
Job Title: Programme Officer – Climate Change, Environment and Health/SRHR
Location: Based at the SADC Parliamentary Forum Headquarters, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia
Duration: Fixed-term (17 months)
Reports to: Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum
WIHDHOEK, NAMIBIA - Sweden has called for urgent action to address the intersection of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and climate change, warning that the synergies between the two remain critically underestimated despite their profound impact on vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.
Ms Veronica Perzanowska, representing the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka, made the call when she delivered a keynote address at the beginning of a virtual capacity-building seminar for parliamentary staff in Southern Africa on Tuesday.
SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
JOB ADVERTISEMENT AND TERMS OF REFERENCE
WE ARE HIRING - PROGRAMME OFFICER – CLIMATE CHANGE, ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH/SRHR
Advertisement: Programme Officer – Climate Change, Environment and Health / SRHR
Job Title: Programme Officer – Climate Change, Environment and Health/SRHR
Location: Based at the SADC Parliamentary Forum Headquarters, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia
Duration: Fixed-term (17 months)
Reports to: Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum
Holds a BA in Political Science and training in International Development from Brighton, UK.
First female Speaker of Malawi since 2019.
Over 15 years of political experience; Vice President of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (2024).
Former Cabinet Minister (Health, Environment, Gender, Transport); Chairperson of CPA Africa Region.
Previously worked with DFiD as Programme Officer for Malawi and Mozambique.
Barrister at Law, called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1973 and to the Bar of Mauritius in July 1974.
Practiced law for over 26 years.
Political Career
Member of the National Assembly (1976–1990).
Served as Attorney General and Minister of Women's Rights and Family Welfare (1982–1983).
Municipal Councillor of Beau Bassin–Rose Hill (1977–1979; 1985–1990).
Mayor of Beau Bassin–Rose Hill in 1987.
Professional Leadership Roles
Chairperson of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) (2000–2002).
Ombudsperson for Children (2003–2011), advocating for the rights and welfare of children.
Chairperson of the Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal (2012–2021).
Diplomatic Roles
Ambassador of Mauritius to France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal (1992–1994), resident in Paris.
Permanent Representative to UNESCO (1995).
Chairperson of the “Conseil Permanent de la Francophonie” (1992–1994, Paris).
Medical Doctor with over 30 years’ experience in public and private health.
Academic background includes MBChB, BSc (General and Human Biology).
Former Minister of Health, Senator, and Member of the National Assembly.
Participated in high-level campaigns and leadership as Deputy Leader of the ABC National Executive Committee.
Current Speaker of the 12th Parliament, MP for Pigg’s Peak.
Diploma in Human Resource Development; pursuing MBA.
Former Minister of Agriculture; Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade; and Minister of Tourism.
Owner of a 26-branch hardware business employing over 600 people.
Economist and seasoned politician; Economics degree from the University of Kinshasa.
Former Director of Cabinet, MONUC Deputy Commissioner-General, National Assembly Speaker (2006–2009), and Vice Prime Minister of Economy.
Fluent in four Congolese national languages and French.
Re-elected Speaker in May 2024; founder of UNC and former presidential candidate (2011).