MIL Africa Engine

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says a surface high-pressure system is expected to dominate most parts of the country this week, resulting in fine and warm to cool conditions.

“However, a surface low is expected to develop over the western interior on Wednesday and Friday. Cold fronts are expected to pass south of the country, with isolated showers possible along the east and south coasts,” the weather service said.

Monday’s forecast indicates fine and warm to cool conditions across the country, becoming partly cloudy over the south-western parts, with isolated showers possible along the west coast of the Western Cape.

“Partly cloudy conditions are expected over the southern parts of the country on Tuesday, with isolated showers possible along the south-western coast of the Western Cape and the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in the evening,” SAWS said. –SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Southern African leaders to deepen regional unity and integration, saying the people of the region are bound by a shared history and a common aspiration for peace, justice and prosperity.

President Ramaphosa made the call during a State banquet hosted in eThekwini on Sunday evening, on the eve of the 46th Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government.

Welcoming Heads of State and Government, Ministers and other delegates to KwaZulu-Natal, President Ramaphosa described the region as a family united by a common struggle and a shared vision for the future.

“We gather here not just as a community, but as a family. We gather as people born of the same soil, forged in common struggle and united by an abiding desire for freedom, justice and equality,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said the presence of regional leaders in South Africa affirmed the “enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity” that unite the people of Southern Africa.

KwaZulu-Natal’s liberation legacy

President Ramaphosa said KwaZulu-Natal was a fitting setting for the regional gathering, given its contribution to South Africa’s liberation struggle and Africa’s broader pursuit of independence and self-determination.

“KwaZulu-Natal is the birthplace of many giants whose courage and vision contributed not only to South Africa’s liberation, but also to Africa’s broader struggle for independence, dignity and self-determination,” he said.

He highlighted the contributions of Inkosi Albert Luthuli, John Langalibalele Dube and Pixley ka Isaka Seme, describing them as leaders who helped establish a tradition of principled leadership whose influence extended beyond South Africa’s borders.

“KwaZulu-Natal is therefore an inspiring setting for a summit of leaders dedicated to advancing our shared vision for Southern Africa,” President Ramaphosa said.

Renewing regional commitment

Reflecting on preparations for the Summit, President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation to SADC Ministers, Senior Officials, the SADC Secretariat and others involved in preparing for the leaders’ deliberations.

He noted that the meetings held over recent days, including those of Senior Officials, the Council of Ministers and SADC Industrialisation Week, had demonstrated the region’s commitment to advancing regional progress.

“Tomorrow, as leaders of our region gather in Summit, we will have the opportunity to renew our political commitment to further unite and integrate our region,” he said.

President Ramaphosa said the Summit also provided an opportunity for leaders to strengthen their collective efforts to improve the lives of citizens through stronger economies and vibrant societies.

“It is an opportunity to strengthen our collective resolve to improve the lives of our citizens by building strong economies and vibrant societies – to give meaning to the aspirations of the young people of Southern Africa,” he said.

From diplomacy to fellowship

The President said the state banquet offered an opportunity for leaders and delegations to move beyond formal engagements and build personal and people-to-people bonds.

“This evening, the formal programme gives way to fellowship. This evening, we celebrate our shared heritage, strengthen old friendships, forge new partnerships and enjoy the hospitality of our country,” he said.

President Ramaphosa encouraged guests to experience the culture, music and cuisine of KwaZulu-Natal, expressing hope that their stay in South Africa would be memorable and rewarding.

He concluded by raising a toast to the region’s continued unity, peace and prosperity.

“To the continued unity of SADC, to the peace and prosperity of our region and to the health, happiness and success of the leaders and peoples of Southern Africa.”

The 46th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government takes place in Durban on Monday, where regional leaders are expected to deliberate on matters affecting peace and security, regional integration, economic development and the advancement of the SADC agenda. – SAnews.gov.za

The stage is set, comprehensive preparations have been finalised and Durban is prepared to host the 46th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC).

The summit kicks off today at the ICC in Durban, with leaders from around the regional bloc poised to engage on matters that will impact the future of Southern Africa and its people.

At a welcoming dinner hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the regional leaders, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola highlighted the coastal city’s historic role as a hub of regional unity, struggle and diversity.

Lamola described the Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC as a fitting host for the summit, particularly with regard to the liberation hero it is named after.

Speaking on the life of Inkosi Albert Luthuli, Lamola described the leader’s life as a reflection of the “interconnected character of Southern Africa” even before the words ‘regional integration’ entered the Southern African lexicon.

Luthuli was born near Bulawayo, which is in present day Zimbabwe, into a family with roots in then Natal and he later returned to the province as a teacher, traditional leader and a President-General of the African National Congress.

“His life reminds us of the bonds that connect the peoples of this region. Durban itself is a repository of that history. Here in Durban, women, some with roots extending beyond South Africa, rose against a regime that sought to dispossess them of one of the few economic activities open to African women as the time, the sale of traditional beer.

“It was also here that workers carried the struggle for dignity and democracy…mostly notable during the Durban strikes of 1973. A year later, Durban was a sight of one of the two Viva Frelimo rallies planned in 1974 to celebrate a major breakthrough of Mozambique’s struggles against Portuguese colonialism,” Lamola said.

The minister added that the city itself is a reflection of South Africa’s diversity and the “many hands that build our cities, drawn from across South Africa, across our region and from as far afield as the Indian subcontinent”. 

“This history makes Durban a fitting place from which to imagine the future of our region – a peaceful and inclusive region in which all our people can enjoy sustainable economic wellbeing, justice and freedom.

“[Today] the hard work begins of the summit. We will confront important questions about the state of our region and the progress we are making towards Vision 2050,” Lamola stated.

Safe and secure

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has moved to assure heads of state, officials and delegates that security measures are in place to ensure a smooth event, adding that police have left nothing to chance with meticulous planning.

“We are aware of the planned marches ahead of the heads of state meeting and we can assure the people of…South Africa that we have put adequate and sufficient measures in place to ensure that there are no disruptions to this regional event.

“We are urging the demonstrators and protestors to respect the rule of law and to protest peacefully and lawfully. We will not allow any criminal incidents and activities, we will not allow intimidation, disruptions and threats that are being made to various Heads of State.

“We would like to assure the participants of the summit that the measures that we have put in place are quite sufficient, they are adequate, we have enough members on the ground to ensure that this event takes place without any major incident,” Mathe stated.

She noted that police have been hard at work at all summit build-up events and meetings with no disruptions or incidents reported.

“The NATJOINTS [National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure] has a proven track record of ensuring the safety and security of major events in the country so we are quite confident that this event, too, will take place in a safe and secure environment,” Mathe assured. – SAnews.gov.za