Professor Lovemore Madhuku National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), leader Professor Lovemore Madhuku attended the SADC Summit in Harare, emphasizing the importance of national unity and regional cooperation. The summit took place at a time when political polarization in Zimbabwe was on the rise, with some members of the opposition against attending the event. Despite this, Madhuku stressed the need for collective action and cooperation beyond political divisions.
“I was there to demonstrate that there comes a point in any country’s life where people must work together,” Madhuku said, highlighting the necessity of unity despite internal disagreements. He noted that Zimbabwe’s role as the upcoming chairperson of SADC was not about the current government or president but about the nation as a whole. “This was about the country itself, which had been entrusted with the leadership of the region,” he remarked.
Madhuku acknowledged Zimbabwe’s internal challenges but emphasized that the country’s recognition and responsibilities within the SADC region should be a source of national pride. “Whatever problems we might have had as a nation, those didn’t count when it came to a moment of celebrating that recognition,” he explained. His presence at the summit reflected his support for this broader approach to regional leadership.
Addressing the benefits for ordinary Zimbabweans from the country’s involvement in SADC, Madhuku highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with neighboring nations. “Ordinary citizens must understand that we live in a community of nations, and our relationship with other countries impacts how we can still export and import,” he said. He used the example of energy, noting that “our electricity supply depended on our relationships with neighboring countries.” He stressed that citizens benefited directly from the excellent relations Zimbabwe maintained within the region, which facilitated trade, energy supply, and other critical areas of cooperation.
Madhuku’s attendance at the SADC Summit underscored his commitment to regional solidarity and his belief that Zimbabwe’s role in SADC was crucial for the nation’s broader development and stability, even in the face of rising political polarization.
