Acting Director-General Nomonde Mnukwa: Vote of thanks at the media cocktail

Programme Director,
The Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Hon Thandi Moraka. 
South Africa’s SADC National Contact Point  and former Consul-General, Mr Andrew Maswanganye
Head of Communications and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, Ms Barbara Lopi,
Brand South Africa Deputy Board Chairperson Ms Zama Mkosi
Germany development partner, GIZ 
Distinguished delegates,
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Members of the media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Habari za jioni, Sanibonani, Good evening.

Thank you for joining us for the launch of the SADC documentary and media welcome cocktail.

Our sincere appreciation goes to Deputy Minister Thandi Moraka for her inspiring remarks and continued leadership in advancing the vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous SADC region.

We also thank the SADC Secretariat for reminding us of the important role communication plays in bringing the people of our region closer together and ensuring that our shared story is heard.

To Brand South Africa, thank you for your partnership and for helping showcase South Africa as a proud host of this year's Summit. 

A special word of appreciation goes to everyone behind the documentary, from the producers and researchers to the editors and technical teams, for preserving an important chapter of Southern Africa's story.

As we look ahead to the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, this evening marks the start of an important conversation about the future of our region. I had a pleasure of attending an event hosted by one continent sometime last year, I silently observed every speaker, every commission resolution that call to action members of that continent to invest on research so that they can position themselves to prevent the potential rise of Africa – it was about understanding the competencies of AU, SADC etc so that they can establish their equivalent that will enable their continent to outshine Africa. 

With this in mind, it is a call to media practitioners from across Southern Africa to help tell the SADC story with accuracy, balance and depth. 

Above all, no-one will tell the accurate SADC story more than the SADC people, everyone one way or other is in a competition to position their region as better and attractive for investments, the competition to grow economically is across the globe. Your reporting will help position the region as attractive and competitive, also people in the region will understand the decisions taken by our leaders. We can only showcase with the strong partnership with the media the progress being made across the region, and highlight the opportunities that lie ahead as your platforms will create a better reach. Together, let us ensure that the Summit's outcomes, achievements and aspirations reach every corner of our region and beyond.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has consistently emphasised that regional integration, economic cooperation and people-to-people solidarity remain essential building blocks for Africa's development and prosperity. 

The SADC Public Lecture echoed this call, highlighting the need for a shared regional vision that advances industrialisation, strengthens infrastructure development and creates opportunities for the people of Southern Africa. As communicators and media practitioners, we have a responsibility to ensure that this vision reaches citizens across our region and inspires greater collective action towards a common future.

Finally, thank you to the teams from GCIS, DIRCO, the SADC Secretariat, Brand South Africa and all those working behind the scenes to make this event possible.

To all our guests, thank you for your presence and support. We invite you to stay for the screening of the documentary, continue the conversations, and enjoy the hospitality of the evening.

To all our media partners, we encourage you to engage fully throughout the Summit, share the stories that matter, and help amplify the voice of SADC's people, progress and potential.

We wish everyone a successful and productive SADC Summit, and we look forward to seeing the region's story brought to life through your coverage.

Merci, Muito obrigada, kea leboha, thank you! 

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