Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is expected to lead the South African delegation to the SADC Summit to be held in Maputo, Mozambique.
The summit, which will be held from 17 - 18 August, is preceded by several preparatory meetings, including the Council of Ministers.
The SADC Summit is a statutory meeting of the 15-nation regional body, which convenes annually in August. The meeting considers matters from different sectors for decision and for noting. It also examines the performance of SADC institutions and reviews the overall implementation of the SADC socio-economic programmes.
At the summit, South Africa is expected to report on its Chairpersonship of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation and the challenges that lie ahead.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says SADC continues to serve as the primary vehicle for South African foreign policy to achieve regional development and integration within Southern Africa.
"South Africa's future remains inextricably linked to the future of the African continent and that of its neighbours in Southern Africa.
"SADC strives for balanced and equitable regional integration as a fundamental condition for sustainable development in the region and most importantly, to free the people of the region from the scourges of unemployment, poverty and underdevelopment," Nkoana-Mashabane said.
In addition to South Africa, other member states of SADC are Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Madagascar is currently suspended pending the restoration of constitutional and democratic order in that country.
