By Shadreck Gurenje

 SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa has urged fellow SADC leaders to provide transformational leadership that is grounded in the lived realities of the people.

Giving his closing remarks at the SADC TRANSFRONTIER CONSERVATION AREAS SUMMIT, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said SADC people should reap and enjoy the benefits of the on-going conservation efforts and empower local communities to capacitate and protect the interest of the regional block.

“Our strategies must continue to place communities at the centre of every initiative, not only as stakeholders, but as co-creators and primary beneficiaries. When we empower local communities, we capacitate the very ecosystems, which we seek to protect.

“Our people should reap and enjoy the benefits of the on-going conservation efforts. The Summit has also amplified the importance of strengthening the SADC Law Enforcement and Anti-Poaching Strategy, ”said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa also added that the cross-border cooperation should continue to deliver tangible results in the protection of the regional wildlife heritage.

“As such, cross-border cooperation should continue to deliver tangible results in the protection of our wildlife heritage. As we return to our respective countries, let us carry forward the momentum built here, towards developing an integrated, modern, industrialised and prosperous SADC we all want. Let us provide transformational leadership that is grounded in the lived realities of our peoples.

“May this Summit serve a catalyst for a renewed era of action, guided by the SADC TFCA Programme 2023–2033, and grounded in the principles of inclusivity, solidarity, sustainability, and sovereignty. This is more so as we will be celebration Africa Day in two days’ time, ”said President Mnangagwa.