Speech delivered by father Joe Komakoma on behalf of the Trust at the reception with the SADC states ministers

Honorable Ministers, Honourable Executive Secretary of SADC, distinguished guests, representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), ladies and gentlemen:

The Southern Africa Trust is deeply honoured to be part of this reception tonight. At the time when the SADC heads of state are scheduled to meet in the next few days.

This is not only an important time for Africa but also for the rest of the world as some governments are working tirelessly to stop the raging war in the Middle East which is currently claiming the lives of innocent people especially women and children.

Here in Southern Africa, we are also fighting a war - a war to end poverty. Poverty in Southern Africa continues to be one of the greatest obstacles to development. It has deprived the poor people of Southern Africa their right to dignity, safety, shelter, life, education, health and the right to a voice.

Poverty has not only made the nations of Southern Africa an unattractive place for investment but has also marginalised it from the global trading opportunities.

However, not all hope is lost! Some progress is being made towards curbing corruption and we are also seeing emerging democracies with more countries accepting the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

The Southern Africa Trust recognizes the need for concerted efforts to fight poverty. It is through such efforts that accountable and responsive institutions and political processes that are essential for fighting poverty are developed and strengthened.

We are aware that at the national level, most Southern African countries have already developed and adopted or are in the process of developing Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) but civil society and private sector participation in these processes still remain very weak, fragmented and not well coordinated.
 
At the SADC level, we also know that the Regional Indicative Strategic Development plan (RISDP), provides a useful entry point for CSOs, private sector and other interest groups to contribute to shaping the regional agenda around poverty. There is need to ensure that stronger partnerships between governments and CSOs are built in policy formulation and implementation of poverty reduction programmes. Governments have a critical role to play in creating policy spaces that are transparent and genuine for engagement with CSOs while at the same time, CSOs need to build their skills and knowledge to effectively occupy the spaces provided.

Greater recognition is needed that CSOs are more than just Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). There is need to bring on board other groups such as trade unions, faith based organizations and Community Based Organizations (CBOs), with the view that the voices of the poor will be well articulated and represented.

We, at the Southern Africa Trust are also aware that only seven (7) instead of nine (9) (required to make the protocol operational), SADC member states have endorsed the protocol on free movement of people within the SADC region. We wish to reiterate that the need for free movement of people between and across borders is an important aspect of poverty reduction particularly in light of exchange of cultural skills and knowledge, trade and industry - all of which are vital for development.

In conclusion, we wish to reiterate that the Southern African Trust will continue to support processes and widen engagement in policy dialogue with a regional impact on poverty. We are also committed to collaborating with the SADC governments in the fight to end poverty.

I thank you for your attention!