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Speaker of Parliament of Zimbabwe, Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda received the Grand Defender of Democracy award and cites as “For the unflinching dedicated service, unwavering commitment to duty and iconic visionary leadership as an inspiring Member of the Executive Committee of the SADC Parliamentary Forum for the period November 2022 to December 2024” during the just ended SADC PF Plenary Assembly and related meetings.
The SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) successfully concluded its business on 14th December 2024 in Livingstone, Zambia. Themed “Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Smart, Inclusive, and Responsive Parliaments in the SADC Region,” the Plenary Assembly session brought together Parliamentary delegations from across the region to deliberate on key issues driving regional integration, technological advancement, and inclusive governance.
Speaker Mudenda, who has heralded both the Executive Committee Meeting held previously in Johannesburg, South Africa and the Plenary Assembly meetings for his unparalleled leadership antecedents, presented high-profile deliveries, including a tribute to Hon. Professor Peter H. Katjavivi, the outgoing Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to regional integration and parliamentary diplomacy. The tribute formed part of the SADC PF’s Legacy Project, celebrating Prof. Katjavivi’s distinguished service ahead of his retirement in March 2025.
Advocate Mudenda also delivered the Vote of Thanks during the Official Opening Ceremony, which featured an address by the Guest of Honour, His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema of the Republic of Zambia. His remarks underscored Zimbabwe’s commitment to regional collaboration and its readiness to host the 57th Plenary Assembly Session, scheduled for June/July 2025 in Zimbabwe.
Speaker Mudenda, leading the SADC PF Strategic Lobbying Team has been entrusted with the critical mandate to secure the remaining signatures for the Amendment of the Treaty to establish a regional Parliament from Botswana, Madagascar, and Mauritius to ensure that no SADC country is left out in the critical signature process. As Chairman of the Strategic Lobbying Team, Speaker Mudenda’s mission is to rally all countries and bring to fruition the Transformation of the SADC PF into a fully-fledged Regional Parliament, a process that he has led for over 14 years. Applauded for his steadfast strategic guidance, past and present, Advocate Mudenda’s efforts have positioned the Forum on the brink of transformation. This effort aims to facilitate the seamless transition of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament, ensuring operational coherence during the transformation process matrix.
Advocate Mudenda’s instrumental role as Chairperson of the Strategic Lobbying Team was further reaffirmed through his endorsement by the Plenary Assembly as an ex-officio member of the SADC PF Executive Committee. This position underscores his invaluable contribution to the Forum’s operations and strategic objectives. Added to this, Speaker Mudenda will join his colleagues, including the Speaker of South Africa, Hon. Thoko Didiza, and Speaker Carolina Cerqueira of Angola as part of the established Resource Mobilization Committee to muster resources for the Forum.
Zimbabwe’s representation at the Assembly also included Hon. Maybe Mbohwa, endorsed Member of the Executive Committee of the SADC PF (2024 to 2028), Hon. Chinhenza Chigwajara (Chief Matsiwo), Hon. Tendai Nyabani, Hon. Lynette Karenyi and Hon. Mercy Mugomo. Their active participation showcased Zimbabwe’s commitment to advancing regional integration, fostering digital innovation in governance, and promoting the transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament.
The 56th Plenary Assembly Session ended with a collective pledge to harness digital technologies for inclusive and responsive legislative institutions across the region. Under the chairmanship of His Excellency, President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe demonstrated its digital prowess, integrating AI and ICT systems into its Parliamentary frameworks. This citizen-centric e-Parliament approach underscores Zimbabwe’s ability to blend tradition with innovation, reinforcing its role as a regional leader in accountable and adaptive e-governance.
