Strong Families Key to African Unity, South African Envoy Says

The Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa, Lindi Mminele, has called on African countries to prioritise family welfare in their development policies, saying strong families and communities are essential to regional integration and sustainable development.

Mminele made the call while delivering an address on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Group of Ambassadors during the SADC Day celebration in Abuja.

She said Africa’s ambition to build a united and prosperous continent must begin with families, stressing that regional development policies should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

“Families are the foundation from which we will build the Africa we want,” she said.

The South African envoy noted that development frameworks, including the SADC Integrated Strategic Development Plan and Vision 2050, must deliver practical benefits to households rather than remain policy documents with little impact on people’s lives.

According to her, the strength of regional blocs depends on the stability and economic viability of their member countries, which, in turn, rely on the wellbeing of their populations.

She urged African governments and other stakeholders to place families at the centre of development planning, warning that initiatives that fail to improve household welfare risk falling short of their objectives.

Nigeria’s Role in Southern African Liberation

Mminele acknowledged Nigeria’s historical contributions to the liberation struggles of Southern African countries, describing its support and solidarity as important pillars of relations between Nigeria and the region.

She said Nigeria’s role in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid had helped strengthen ties between the two regions, expressing optimism about continued cooperation and a shared future.

The envoy emphasised that the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Southern Africa should serve as a foundation for deeper regional collaboration and development.

Eight SADC Countries Represented in Nigeria

Providing an overview of the SADC diplomatic presence in Nigeria, Mminele said the regional organisation comprises 16 member states, eight of which are represented in the country.

They are Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

She explained that the SADC Group of Ambassadors operates a rotating leadership arrangement, with South Africa serving as chair, Zambia as incoming chair and Zimbabwe as outgoing chair. Zimbabwe also serves as dean of the group.

Mminele said SADC Day, observed annually on August 17, provides an opportunity for member states to reflect on their shared identity, regional unity, integration and development aspirations.

‘Africa Is One Big Family’

Reinforcing her call for stronger regional ties, the envoy said shared borders, languages, cultural practices, traditions and intermarriage demonstrate the close connections among African countries.

She urged governments to build on these common bonds by strengthening cooperation and pursuing development initiatives that directly benefit their citizens.

According to her, African integration should go beyond agreements and diplomatic engagements to focus on improving the lives of people across the continent.

The SADC Day celebration featured a range of recreational and sporting activities, including a walkathon, football, table tennis and indoor games.

The activities brought together members of the diplomatic community and other participants to promote fellowship, cultural exchange and regional solidarity.

Mminele formally declared the celebration open and invited participants to take part in the scheduled activities.

The event underscored the message that African unity requires not only cooperation among governments but also stronger families, resilient communities and development policies that place people at the centre.