Minister to chair SADC meeting

By Ofentse Mokae
04 September 2009

International Relations and Corperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane will to chair the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers meeting.

The meeting is expected to start from September the 05 to 06 ahead of the 29th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government.

In a media statement the department says, South Africa will participate in the SADC Council of Ministers’ meeting within the context of strengthening SADC which remains the primary vehicle to achieve regional development and integration.

According to the statement SADC as one of the Regional Economic Communities on the continent, is regarded as a building block in the consolidation of the African Agenda and wider continental integration.

It is expected the meeting will discuss progress made in the regional economic integration process in preparation for Summit, particularly relating to the consolidation of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) launched in August 2008.

In her capacity as the Chair of the SADC Council, Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane will also chair the Ministerial Interview Committee Meeting.

This meeting will focus on interviews on candidates for the positions of SADC Deputy Executive Secretaries for Regional Integration and Administration and Finance, respectively.

Minister Nkoane-Mashabane is expected to depart for Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo early today.