By Staff Reporter
Namibian President, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, delivered her maiden speech at the 45th Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government on Saturday, 17 August 2025, in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where she pledged Namibia’s commitment to regional integration, peace, food security, youth empowerment, and women’s participation in development.
In her address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah paid tribute to the late Namibian Founding President, Dr. Sam Nujoma, and expressed gratitude to SADC member states for their solidarity during Namibia’s mourning period. She also extended condolences to Zambia, South Africa, and Eswatini for the recent loss of their leaders and dignitaries.
Highlighting women’s empowerment, she called on member states to support Namibia’s newly launched International Women’s Peace Centre, while stressing the need to enhance youth skills in ICT, creative industries, and digital innovation. She further emphasized the importance of food security, industrialization, and value addition to Africa’s natural resources to create jobs and strengthen economies.
On regional security, President Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed concern over instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo, honoring SADC peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the SADC Mission in the DRC. She underscored that peace, security, and good governance remain essential for sustainable development in Southern Africa.
In conclusion, she urged member states to unite under the summit’s theme, “Advancing Industrialisation, Agricultural Transformation, and Energy Transition for a Resilient SADC,” stressing that only through solidarity, industrialization, and agricultural reform can the region achieve food security, economic growth, and self-reliance.
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