By Staff Reporter
The Annual General Meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Public Service Commissions (PSC) Forum , officially opened in Windhoek on Monday July 14, 2025, drawing high-level delegations from nine member states.
The meeting, hosted at the Mercure Hotel, marks a major milestone in regional cooperation and the institutionalization of the SADC PSC Forum.
In his welcoming remarks, Chairperson of Namibia’s Public Service Commission, Mr.Salmaan Jacobs, extended heartfelt greetings to participating dignitaries, including commissioners, heads of delegations, and diplomats. Among those present were representatives from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Also in attendance were Namibia’s Director General of the National Planning Commission(NPC) , Dr. Kaire Mbuende standing in for Prime Minister, Dr. Elijah Ngurare , Khomas Regional Governor Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Jr, and Windhoek Mayor Cllr. Ndeshihafela Larandja.
“Feel at home you are in the Land of the Brave,” Jacobs told delegates, emphasizing Namibia’s pride in hosting a gathering of such regional significance. “This meeting symbolizes a collective step forward toward harmonized, ethical, and digitally transformed public services across SADC.”
The idea for the Forum was first conceived during a benchmarking visit in July 2023 and has since evolved into a regional mechanism for dialogue and joint reform initiatives.
Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of both South Africa’s Public Service Commission and the SADC PSC Forum, was praised for his leadership in convening the first two consultative meetings in Cape Town in 2024. These sessions laid the groundwork for the Forum’s draft constitution and formal structure.
Mr. Jacobs acknowledged the pivotal roles of Dr. Vincent Hungwe of Zimbabwe and the SADC Secretariat, who helped present the Forum’s vision to the SADC Council of Ministers of Labour in March 2025.
Further discussions are expected during the upcoming SADC Heads of State Summit in August.
“This generation must develop frameworks to harmonize recruitment standards, ethical codes, and performance systems,” Jacobs stated.
“We must equip our public servants to lead integration efforts with competence and integrity.”
He outlined key focus areas for the Forum, including joint training programs, digital public administration, staff exchange initiatives, and research collaboration through a proposed regional knowledge repository. He stressed the need for formal agreements among member commissions and encouraged digital engagement to reduce operational costs and enhance coordination.
Referencing philosopher Frantz Fanon, Mr. Jacobs reminded attendees that “each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.”
He called on all SADC public service leaders to build a legacy of strong institutions and ethical governance for future generations.
With the Forum now at the stage of formalization and broad political support, Namibia’s hosting of the General Assembly reflects the country’s commitment to regional integration and public sector innovation.
The conference continues over the coming days, with delegates expected to finalize action plans and reinforce their shared mission to drive sustainable public service reform in Southern Africa.
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