Sadc convenes to debate Univisa

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will today hold an Extraordinary Virtual Meeting of Ministers responsible for Tourism to review progress on the implementation of the SADC Tourism UNIVISA and other key regional tourism initiatives.

In a statement yesterday, the SADC Secretariat said the agenda would also cover the conclusion of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RTOSA) and provide policy guidance to the Secretariat to support effective and coordinated implementation. The meeting will be chaired by South Africa, the current SADC Chair.

"The ministers will review progress on the establishment of the SADC Tourism UNIVISA and deliberate on the winding up of the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa," the Secretariat said. "They will also address outstanding matters and provide clear strategic guidance to support effective regional tourism integration."

The Secretariat noted that today's deliberations form part of ongoing efforts to boost intra-regional tourism, enhance competitiveness, and strengthen the contribution of the sector to regional development. The meeting supports the objectives outlined in the SADC Protocol on the Development of Tourism (1998, revised in 2009 and 2022) and the SADC Tourism Programme 2020–2030.

Preparatory discussions were held this morning by senior officials responsible for tourism, who will present documents for ministers' consideration.

Last year, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, and Angola agreed to pilot the SADC Tourism UNIVISA during the SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) Summit in Harare, aiming to facilitate seamless travel and promote tourism across member states.

Meanwhile, a SADC Secretariat delegation recently concluded a mission to South Africa to assess the country's readiness to host the upcoming SADC Council of Ministers meeting next month and the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government in August.

South Africa assumed the SADC Chair following Madagascar's withdrawal due to domestic political developments. The Chairmanship was formalised during an Extraordinary Virtual Summit in November, confirming President Cyril Ramaphosa as Chair until August 2026.

The delegation, led by SADC Director of Human Resources and Administration Ms Bodo Tantel Radaody Ralarosy, inspected venues, hotels, meeting facilities, and airport infrastructure in Pretoria to ensure compliance with hosting standards. They also engaged with service providers, financial institutions, and government officials to clarify procurement procedures and coordination mechanisms.

President Ramaphosa reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to regional industrialisation, agricultural transformation, food security, and energy transition, building on the previous Summit's theme: "Promoting industrialisation, agricultural transformation and energy transition for a more resilient SADC."

The Secretariat noted that South Africa's successful hosting of the recent G20 meeting would bolster preparations for the SADC Council of Ministers meeting and the August Summit, ensuring the region's high-level gatherings meet international standards.

The outcomes of today's tourism meeting are expected to accelerate the rollout of the SADC Tourism UNIVISA, enhance cross-border tourism, and strengthen the institutional and policy framework for the sector across the region.