Jacob Zuma arrives in Zimbabwe for SADC summit

South Africa President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Zimbabwe on Saturday for the 34th ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, the presidency said.

"His excellency President Jacob Zuma has today [Saturday] arrived in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe, where he will lead the South African delegation," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

The theme of the 2014 Summit was "SADC strategy for economic transformation: Leveraging the region's diverse resources for sustainable economic and social development through beneficiation and value addition".

Zimbabwe is the new chair of SADC, taking over from the Republic of Malawi during the summit in Victoria Falls.

"During the Summit, the SADC leaders will deliberate amongst others, on socio-economic issues that affect the region. In addition, the SADC leaders will also consider the report on the review of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP)," Maharaj said.

The RISDP was said to be a comprehensive development and implementation framework guiding the Regional Integration agenda of SADC over a period of fifteen years.

"SADC is also defining a new development blueprint that is expected to shape the region's integration agenda until 2050.

"In this regard, the SADC Vision 2050 will also be discussed," he said.

The SADC vision 2050 aimed to provide a framework for a long-term vision as the region sought to position itself in emerging global and continental issues.

Zuma was accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo and Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene.