The 56th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) was officially opened on the 9th December 2024, by Her Honour, Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia on behalf of His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia.
In her keynote address, Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango expressed fraternal and cordial welcome to all Member Parliamentarians present. The Vice- President of the Republic of Zambia, commended the signing of the Agreement to amend the Treaty to establish a regional Parliament by 12 SADC Member States. She expressed optimism that the remaining Member States would soon follow suit. Highlighting Zambia’s commitment, she pledged full support for operationalization of the Regional Parliament, emphasizing its importance to the region and the African Continent as an anchor to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and the African Union (AU). Furthermore, the SADC Parliament will be the fifth cog to the PAP, which to date has been the missing gap.
The Vice President lauded this year’s Plenary Assembly theme, which aligns with Zambia’s vision for sustainable development through digital technologies. For that reason, the Vice President informed delegates that the Zambian Government is dedicated to developing ICTSs to catalyse the socio-economic development of Zambia. She outlined Zambia’s progress in ICT development, including the establishment of a Ministry of Technology and Science in 2021 in order to promote research and innovation for Zambia’s socio-economic growth. She reported ongoing efforts to expand ICT infrastructure, including the construction of over 400 communication towers to enhance connectivity in rural areas. These initiatives aim to improve access to public services such as social cash transfers and health services while fostering inclusive Parliamentary engagement through digital technologies.
Her Honour Nalumango noted the successful implementation of the ZamPortal platform which provides access to 300 digital public services and reducing corruption risks. Furthermore, the Vice President celebrated increased public participation in ICT, particularly among women, youth and persons with disabilities and attributing this progress to Zambia’s enabling policies and infrastructure.
Acknowledging challenges like data privacy, cybersecurity and e-waste, she assured delegates of Zambia’s efforts to establish a robust data protection legal framework. She expressed keen interest in the Assembly’s deliberations and resolutions, emphasizing the criticality of leveraging digital technology to build inclusive, responsive Parliaments and strengthen citizen trust.
The Vice President concluded by reaffirming Zambia’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for ICT investment and innovation, positioning the country and the region for transformative socio-economic growth. Her address was a resounding call for collective action to embrace digital technology for the benefit of all within the SADC region
Prior to Her Honour Namalunga’s official opening speech, Hon Credo Nanjuwa, MP, the Provincial Minister for Southern Province welcomed delegates and expressed Zambia’s pride in hosting the SADC PF and underscored Livingstone’s historical significance as the cradle of Zambia’s legislative evolution since 1924 and being Zambia’s tourist capital. He commended the SADC PF Forum for choosing Livingstone as a venue for its meeting.
Earlier on, Ms. Boemo Sekgoma, Secretary General of the SADC PF introduced credentials of all the Parliamentary delegates in attendance. Ms Sekgoma also commended Zambia for its educational strides, especially the use of digital technologies and e-governance. Gender focus took centre stage as Hon. Shally Josepha Raymond, Chairperson of the Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, marked the conclusion of the Global 16 Days Campaign against Gender-Based Violence, wherein she encouraged Members of Parliament to take a leading role in tackling the scourge of Gender-Based violence.
Meanwhile, Hon. Roger Mancienne, President of SADC PF and Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, highlighted the SADC Parliamentary Forum’s achievements and outlined strategic goals under the newly crafted Strategic Plan 2024-2028. The Rt. Hon. Nelly Mutti, Speaker of Zambia’s National Assembly, had earlier on extended a warm welcome to the delegates as she outlined the urgent need for Members of Parliament to use digital tools to enhance legislative work. She highlighted Zambia’s commitment to digital transformation and Parliamentary modernization, citing the centenary celebrations of the National Assembly as a milestone in the country’s democratic journey.
Finally, Speaker Mudenda delivered the vote of thanks. In a moving and well-received off-the-cuff presentation, Speaker Mudenda reinforced the need for unity of purpose in the SADC region as implored by the Guest of Honour, Vice President Nalumango. Speaker Mudenda extended warm greetings from His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the People and the Parliament of Zimbabwe to the Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Zambia remains a shining example in the movement of the transformation agenda of SADC PF, Speaker Mudenda highlighted.
Furthermore, Speaker Mudenda posited that while embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Parliaments must be mindful of information security threats as a critical aspect in adopting ICTs, Speaker Mudenda opined. To that an extent, Parliaments must enact appropriate legislation to mitigate the negative effects of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and AI. He exhorted legislators to advance economic emancipation for the benefit of citizens in the aftermath of successful liberation struggles whose roots can be traced to Zambia as it was the initial home of the Southern Africa liberation movements. In that regard, Speaker Mudenda highlighted Zambia’s role as the cradle of Southern Africa’s search for freedom and independence by enduring colonialist brutal retaliation through fatal bombings of guerilla camps and economic sabotage against Zambia as a Frontline State supporting liberation movements unflinchingly. To that an extent, Speaker Mudenda invoked Kenneth Kaunda’s galvanizing liberation clarion call, Tiyende Pamodzi ndimutima umodzi, Tuluke Zambezi Ndimtima umozi ( let us march forward together with a unity of purpose as we cross the Zambezi river), which inspired Southern Africa’s liberation movements.
Furthermore in his vote of thanks, Speaker Mudenda commended the impeccable hospitality arrangements by the Zambian Government and its Parliament. Similar hospitality was demonstrated in 2016 when Zambia hosted the Inter-Parliamentary Union Plenary Assembly and Related Meetings in Lusaka, wherein 1500 delegates from 179 Parliaments attended, a demonstration that Africa has the capacity to host multilateral colossal international meetings.
Furthermore, as a He for She Champion, Speaker Mudenda celebrated regional progress driven by female leaders in positions of influence exemplified by the Guest of Honour Vice President Nalumango, Namibia’s first female President, Her Excellency, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Tanzania’s President, Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan, and former Malawi President Mrs Joyce Banda. In that context, Speaker Mudenda lauded Zambia’s Vice President, Her Honour, Mrs. W.K. Nalumango, for publishing her memoirs entitled, “True to Me: A Memoir of Loss, Resilience, Faith and Service to My Country”.
Speaker Mudenda concluded his vote of thanks by extolling the SADC PF President, Speaker Roger Mancienne and the Secretary General, Ms Boemo Segkoma, for the immaculate preparatory arrangements in the hosting of the 56th SADC PF Plenary Assembly and related meetings in Zambia.
