First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo has asked civil society organisations (CSOs) to work towards achieving the Southern African Development Community ( S a d c ) regional integration agenda to spur development.

He said this on Monday in Lilongwe during the opening of a workshop on capacitating national CSOs to effectively participate in the Sadc regional integration process.

Kazombo: Sadc will ensure our
economic well-being

Kazombo said the CSOs need to join hands with other stakeholders in working towards achieving the Sadc vision.

He said the Sadc vision is one of a common future that will ensure economic well-being, improvement of the standards of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice as well as peace and security for the people of southern Africa.

Said Kazombo: “It is through working together that we can make an impact, as such, we as Parliament must work hand-in-hand with CSOs to educate our citizens on what regional integration entails so that when Parliament is moved to legislate, citizens have no difficulties in embracing the regional integration drive.”

Speaking on behalf of CSOs, Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Educat ion execut ive director Lucky Mbewe said CSOs are critical in the process, yet they are not actively participating in the implementation of Sadc protocols.

“Most of the CSOs work with the people on the ground. As such, it is imperative that they translate the information into local understanding and sensitise the masses on the same,” he said.

On his part, Sustainable Development Goals for Africa senior economist and team lead Enock Twinonuryo said the Sadc member States need to customise the Sadc vision to the local context.

In 1992, a treaty on the formation of Sadc was signed by Mozambique, Namibia , Angola , Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland (now e-Swatini), Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, during which regional economic integration became the body’s focus. The countries are currently guided by the Sadc Vision 2050 of a developed and an integrated region.

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