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.”
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.
Holds a PhD and Bachelor's Degree in Law from Agostinho Neto University and an Executive Certificate in Public Policy Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola since 2022.
Former roles include: Deputy Speaker; Minister of State for Social Affairs; Minister of Social Communication; Member of National Security Council; Member of the Council of the Republic; Member of the IPU Presidents Task Force; Member of the Pan African Women's Organization.
Extensive background in journalism, education, conflict mediation, gender equality, and human rights.
The following are the current Members of the Executive Committee of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, including both Substantive and Ex-Officio members.
Member Summary Table
| Ref | Member Parliament | Name & Title | Gender | Category | Political Affiliation | SADC PF Sub-Committee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Angola | Hon. Speaker Carolina Cerqueira, MP | Female | Presiding Officer | N/A | Legal Sub-Committee |
| 2 | Botswana | Hon. Dumelang Saleshando | Male | Non-Presiding Officer | Botswana Congress Party (BCP) | Finance Sub-Committee |
| 3 | DRC | Hon. Speaker Vital Kamerhe Lwa Kanyiginyi Nkingi | Male | Presiding Officer | N/A | Legal Sub-Committee |
| 4 | Eswatini | Hon. Speaker Jabulani Mabuza | Male | Presiding Officer | N/A | Human Resources and Capacity Development Sub-Committee |
| 5 | Lesotho | Hon. Dr. Pinkie Rosemary Manamolela | Female | Non-Presiding Officer | Opposition | Finance Sub-Committee |
| 6 | Madagascar | Rt Hon. Speaker Tokely Justin | Male | Presiding Officer | N/A | SADC PF President |
| 7 | Mauritius | Hon. Speaker Shirin Aumeeruddy | Female | Presiding Officer | N/A | TBA |
| 8 | Malawi | Rt Hon. Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara | Female | Presiding Officer | Malawi Congress Party | Finance Sub-Committee |
| 9 | Mozambique | TBA | Male | Non-Presiding Officer | TBA | TBA |
WINDOEK, NAMIBIA - The Secretary General of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Ms Boemo Sekgoma, has urged Southern African nations to seize the moment to reinforce their economies and reclaim control over their development trajectory.
Speaking via zoom at the opening of the High-Level Dialogue on Trade Justice: Mitigating the Impact of US Reciprocal Tariffs on SADC Economies and Women and Girls, on Thursday, Ms Sekgoma acknowledged the far-reaching implications of tariff increases and called for a recalibration of regional trade and production strategies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Africa Trust, Ms Alice Kanengoni, has called for a bold reimagining of trade justice in Southern Africa, urging a shift away from exclusive technical approaches to inclusive, people-driven frameworks that centre those most affected by global economic shifts.
Ms Kanengoni made the call when she delivered welcome remarks at the beginning of a High-Level Dialogue on Trade Justice in Johannesburg co-convened with the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - The Kingdom of Lesotho’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mokhethi Shelile, has advocated for a radical reimagining of global trade, warning that the recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the United States threatens to unravel years of progress in inclusive trade across the Southern African region.
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - A high-level dialogue on trade justice is set to take place on 15 May 2025 in a hybrid format in Johannesburg.
The dialogue comes in the wake of the United States’ recent announcement of sweeping reciprocal tariffs that disproportionately affect economies in the Global South.
SADC PF President praises Namibia’s leadership, urges robust regional parliamentary integration
06 Mai 2025WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - The President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Hon. Justin Tokely, has saluted Namibia’s long-standing contribution to regional integration and parliamentary diplomacy, and called for sustained collaboration as the Forum prepares to transition into a fully-fledged regional parliament.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Wednesday by members of the Executive Committee of the SADC PF on the newly inaugurated President of Namibia, Her Excellency Madam Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Hon. Tokely congratulated her on her historic ascension as the country’s first female Head of State.
“Your recent assumption of office is a source of inspiration to our entire region. It represents a landmark victory for gender equality in African leadership,” he said.