Parliament, Friday, 6 June 2025 – The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) has concluded its 57th Plenary Assembly in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe with the adoption of several key resolutions on artificial intelligence and its impact on the work of legislatures.
The Assembly started on Monday, 2 June 2025, and was convened under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Effective and Efficient Parliamentary Processes in the SADC Region: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities.”
On Tuesday, the Speaker of the National Assembly and leader of the South African delegation, Ms Thoko Didiza, presented South Africa’s country report, highlighting the progress made in implementing resolutions adopted at the 56th Plenary Assembly, held in December 2024 in Zambia. In her presentation, Ms Didiza outlined South Africa’s efforts to leverage technology and innovation in building a smart, inclusive and responsive Parliament. She noted how Parliament mobilised, allocated and used resources to support public health, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) financing.
Ms Didiza also reported that the restoration of Parliament’s fire-damaged buildings strongly focuses on ICT modernisation, which includes improved broadcasting systems, hybrid meeting platforms and upgraded data networks. A key priority is replacing the data centre, which was destroyed by water damage during the 2022 fire. She stressed that these efforts aim to enhance members’ effectiveness and fulfil constitutional obligations, particularly Section 59, which mandates public access and participation in the legislative process.
The Speaker further announced the recent signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act into law, a significant step toward achieving universal health coverage. She emphasised its potential impact on access to and funding for sexual and reproductive health services and described the Act as a milestone in the journey toward comprehensive, quality healthcare for all.
During the session, South Africa presented three motions to the plenary. These included one by the Chief Whip of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Kenneth Mmoiemang. He presented a motion titled: “Strengthening cybersecurity in the SADC region by creating institutional capacity and viable legal frameworks to respons to the growing cybersecurity threats in the region.” This motion called for strengthened regional cybersecurity and urged national parliaments to align their legal frameworks with the Malabo Convention and SADC Model Laws and for Member States to establish and adequately resource cybersecurity institutions; invest in digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas; expand education and training to build cybersecurity skills; and promote public-private partnerships and regional collaboration to share best practices and combat cyber threats.
Another member of the delegation, Mr Bonginkosi Madikizela, who is a member of the National Assembly (NA), presented a motion on increasing efforts to prevent the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS in the SADC region. This motion called on member states to intensify efforts to prevent the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS. He urged the expedited implementation of the SADC Declaration on Accelerating Action to End AIDS by 2030, also known as the Dar es Salaam Declaration, emphasising regional coordination and accountability.
Ms Veronica Mente presented a motion on the slow implementation of the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage. This motion urged SADC member parliaments to take concrete action to combat child marriage by pressing their governments to adopt and implement the SADC Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage; assigning parliamentary committees to audit existing child protection and marriage laws, identify inconsistencies, and align them with the Model Law; increasing funding for programmes that prevent child marriage, support survivors, and promote access to education, healthcare, and awareness; amending relevant national laws to meet regional and international child protection standards; and calling on key ministries to create coordinated, multisectoral implementation plans with clear timelines, measurable outcomes and accountability structures.
After the five-day plenary session, the 57th Plenary Assembly adopted several key resolutions, including:
· AI Adoption is inevitable: SADC member states must embrace AI, as its benefits outweigh potential risks.
· Infrastructure and skills audit: A comprehensive review of existing infrastructure and skills gaps is needed to inform a regional AI strategy.
· Capacity building: Parliaments must enhance AI literacy and ethical awareness through targeted training.
· Digital divide: Investments must prioritise infrastructure development and equitable access, especially in underserved areas.
· Enabling legislation: The region must enact laws that promote AI adoption while safeguarding users and national security.
A total of 13 SADC member states attended the Assembly.
The SADC Parliamentary Forum, established in 1997 under Article 9(2) of the SADC Treaty, is an autonomous inter-parliamentary body comprising 15 national parliaments, representing over 3 500 parliamentarians. Member states include Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, the Seychelles, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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