The call was made by Lawrence Masera, Communications Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Zimbabwe and Barbara Lopi, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the SADC secretariat during the Validation Workshop for the Draft SADC Communication, Awareness and Visibility Strategy 2025-2030.

Lopi emphasised the importance of a robust Communication, Awareness and Visibility Strategy for SADC’s visibility which will serve as foundation for enhanced strategic communication in the regionally and globally.

She highlighted that since its establishment in 1980, SADC institution has registered significant milestones in advancing regional integration and development which require sustained communication, awareness and visibility efforts by all stakeholders.

On his part, Masera called for a strategy that reflects the region’s collective aspirations and innovative spirit, and emphasised the need to effectively reach remote communities and adapt to evolving media landscape.

The validation workshop was attended by SADC National Media Coordinators from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as Media and Communications Experts from the SADC region.

The Workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to review, discuss and validate the draft SADCCommunication, Awareness and Visibility Strategy 2025-2030 before its submission to the SADC Council of Ministers for approval in August 2025.