The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is today convening a three-day High-Level Inter-Departmental Workshop to develop a strategy and identify priorities for South Africa’s Chairship of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

The workshop brings together senior government officials, representatives from state-owned enterprises, development finance institutions, and officials from the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone, Botswana.

Discussions will include a review of the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030, with a view to aligning it with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP). 

The engagement aims to ensure coherence between national priorities and regional commitments, while strengthening coordination ahead of South Africa’s upcoming SADC Chairship.

Specifically, the workshop will seek to achieve the following objectives:

• Development of South Africa’s strategy and priorities for its SADC Chairship;
• Development of a well-coordinated strategy for the implementation of the RISDP 2020-2030;
• Deepening understanding among government senior officials of the SADC Vision 2050;
• Fostering alignment between South Africa’s national priorities and regional obligations;
• Raising awareness of RISDP Mid-Term Review outcomes and how these should be mainstreamed in South Africa’s Chairship Strategy; and
• Promotion of a whole-of-government approach to South Africa’s SADC Chairship

SADC is a regional intergovernmental organisation that was formed in August 1992 in Namibia (Windhoek) to advance the struggle against colonialism, Apartheid and the promotion of deeper economic integration, peace and security.

SADC consists of 16 Member States, including South Africa. On 07 November 2025, South Africa was elected as interim Chair of SADC until August 2026, where it will be elected as Chair until August 2027.