Zim President hands over Sadc Chairmanship to Khama

President Robert Mugabe on Saturday stepped down as the chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community to hand over the reigns to Botswana President Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

Out going SADC council of ministers chairperson Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the regional body should remain united and build on past achievements.

Mumbengegwi, who is also Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the regional body had performed well and met most of its objectives.

Mumbengegwi said it was an honour for his country to be entrusted with steering the activities of the council for the past one year.

Mumbengegwi said SADC should remain united for the betterment of its citizens.

"SADC should remain united. It has come a long way and we are happy of our achievements," he said Mumbengegwi said the Council of Ministers for supporting Zimbabwe during its tenure and made it work easier by effectively carrying out its mandate.

Incoming SADC council of ministers chairperson, Botswana's Minister of Finance and Development Planning Kenneth Matambo said there was an urgent need for SADC economies to broaden their industrial and economic bases in order to create employment and intensify the fight against poverty.

 Matambo said the adoption of the industrialization strategy was a welcome move to catlyse regional cooperation and integration to ensure that member states move ahead in unison as a region.

The handing over was held at the Gaborone International Conference Centre (GICC) and Zambia was represented by Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe and Permanent Secretary Siazongo Sikalenge.

The council of meeting was attended by member states namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Seychelles, South Africa and Madagascar.