1. SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM AN OVERVIEW YAPOKA NYIRENDA MUNGANDI

2. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM Before 1996, SADC integration was mainly headed by the Executive and there was a clear Parliamentary vacuum; there was no regional parliamentary mechanism for SADC MPs to engage on matters of regional importance In 1996, SADC Parliamentarians established the SADC Parliamentary Forum to fill this vacuum; On 8 th Sept 1997, in Blantyre, Malawi the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government ‘approved the establishment of the SADC PF as an institution of SADC, in accordance with Article 9(2) of the SADC Treaty (Records of Summit, 1997); The Principal Objective for establishing SADC PF was to:- ‘constitute a Parliamentary Consultative Assembly, “the ultimate goal being the establishment of a Regional Parliamentary Framework for dialogue on issues of regional interest and concern (Record of Summit, 1997)” ;

3. ESTABLISHMENT OF SADC PF (Continue) Currently, SADC PF comprises 14 Member Parliaments and by extension represents over 3 000 MPs; Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The 14 Member Parliaments are represented each by One Presiding officer (Speaker) and a maximum of 5 Members of Parliament.

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF SADC PF (Continue) The Constitution prescribes the composition of the representatives as follows: Provided that in designating the five (5) representatives, each National Parliament shall: (a)ensure equitable representation of women and political parties that are represented in its Parliament; and (b)include the Chairperson of the National Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.

5. ESTABLISHMENT OF SADC PF (Continue) The Government of the Republic of Namibia (GRN) hosts the Headquarters of the SADC PF in Windhoek, Namibia; The GRN has accorded SADC PF and its officials, diplomatic status, including tax exemptions, protection to Headquarters and Official residence, unhindered entry and exit to SADC PF Officials & guests; The SADC PF Secretariat is funded by Equal annual contributions from Member Parliaments

6. PURPOSE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION  “We, the Representatives of the people of the Southern African Development Community, having solemnly resolved to constitute a Parliamentary Consultative Assembly to be known as the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum with a view to developing into a regional Parliamentary structure, for the purpose of strengthening the capacity of the Southern African Development Community by involving Parliamentarians of Member States in its activities;”

7. PURPOSE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSITUTION “Determined:  to promote respect for the rule of law, gender equality and equity, individual rights and freedoms, including the promotion and development of cooperation in the economic field in the SADC region based on the principle of equity and mutual benefit;  to promote peace, democracy, security and stability on the basis of collective responsibility and supporting the development of permanent conflict resolution mechanisms in the SADC sub-region and strengthening regional solidarity and building a sense of common destiny among the peoples of SADC; and

8. PURPOSE  to promote dialogue and cooperation among Member States on socio-economic development issues in order to enhance economic welfare;”

9. OBJECTIVES OF THE SADC PF  (a)to strengthen the implementation capacity of SADC by involving Parliamentarians in the affairs of SADC;  (b)to advocate the harmonisation, ratification, domestication and implementation of SADC Protocols, treaties and other decisions at the national level;  (c)to promote the principles of human rights, democracy, peace and security, regional integration, human and social development, economic governance and gender equality through collective responsibility within the SADC Region;  (d)to familiarise Parliamentarians of Member Parliaments with the objectives, priorities and decisions of SADC;  (e)to provide a parliamentary perspective on issues affecting SADC countries;  (f)to provide a Forum for discussion on matters of common interest to SADC; and  (g) to promote cooperation with other parliamentary organisations and other stakeholders. 

10. ORGANS OF SADC PF & THEIR MANDATES A. THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY  This is the highest policy making body which meets twice per year. It is composed of One Presiding Officer/ Speaker of Parliament plus up to a maximum of 5 MPs per Parliament Office Holders  The President (Elected from among the Presiding Officers, on a rotational basis)  The Vice President  The Treasurer

11. ORGANS OF SADC PF & THEIR MANDATES B. The Executive Committee  This is the Management board and is composed of 7 Presiding Officers & 7 MPs. The Executive Committee oversees the implementation of Plenary Assembly decisions and SADC PF policy in general. Sub-Committees of the Executive Committee are:-  Parliamentary Business Sub-Committee  Finance Sub-Committee  Human Resources & Capacity Development  Legal Sub-Committee  C. The Regional Women’s Parliamentary Caucus

12. PROGRAMS & STANDING COMMITTEES In strengthening the implementation capacity of SADC, SADC PF expanded & refocused its programs to mirror the SADC Sectors; THE PROGRAMS & COMMITTEES ARE:- 1. Trade, Industry, Development, Integration & Infrastructure 2. Food, Agriculture, & Natural Resources 3. Democratization, Governance & Human Rights 4. Human & Social Development & Special Programs 5. Gender Equality, Women Advancement & Youth Development 6. Parliamentary Capacity Development (PCD)

13. WHAT DOES SADC PF DO?  Capacity enhancement of MPs & staff of Parliaments  Lobbying & Advocacy  Development of Reference Material & Model Legislation, eg. Benchmarks for Democratic Legislators, Norms & Standards for Elections, Model Law on HIV and AIDS, Southern Africa Resource Barometer. Most recent, Model Law on Child Marriages  Placement of desk officers at national parliaments eg. SRHR Researcher

14. The SADC PF Secretariat Office of the Secretary General Directorates: Programs, Finance & Administration & HR H/Q in Windhoek, Namibia, hosted by the government Staff recruited at Regional Level, with local support staff

15.  Thank you for listening 15