By Linda Kwanjana & Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera who is also Southern African Development Community (SADC) chairman has announced the establishment of Chakwera Prize for Public Speaking.
Speaking after paying a visit at the SADC headquarters in Gaborone (Botswana), President Chakwera said the prize will invite recorded submissions of college students across Africa, articulating their innovative ideas for strengthening Pan-African unity.
He then recommended the Secretariat of SADC for the professionalism, dedication and commitment to the successful implementation of SADC programmes, and pledged his total support with a close working relationship in addressing institutional and political obstacles towards the SADC economic integration.
“For my part, I pledge to support and work with you closely in addressing any institutional and political obstacles in the path of our journey towards economic integration. I pledge to push for implementation of the RISDP 2020-30. I pledge to rally support for our economic integration agenda from international cooperating partners.” Said Chakwera in his speech as SADC chairman.
President Chakwera said, the organization has a lot of tasks to fulfill which include increasing regional integration and development, adding that SADC has to become a United front against poverty, cross-border crime, terrorism, civil conflict, unemployment, and pandemic which the SADC leader described as common enemies of the region.
President Chakwera is expected to land home on Wednesday, December 15,2021.