Images: DIRCO
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at UNISA have kicked off a high-level two-day Strategic Reflection Workshop on South Africa’s engagement with the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Now underway at DIRCO headquarters, the gathering has assembled top diplomats, academics and former SADC officials to examine three decades of South Africa’s membership and craft a forward-looking strategy. Key sessions focus on regional integration in Southern Africa, politics, democracy and good governance, as well as peace and security.
The timing is critical: South Africa currently serves as SADC’s interim chair following Madagascar’s withdrawal and is set to assume full chairship in August 2026, hosting the 46th Ordinary Summit.
Organisers say the workshop will align Pretoria’s foreign policy more closely with national interests while strengthening SADC’s industrialisation, agricultural transformation and energy goals.
