• The Country’s long standing credentials of peace, stability and unity have earned her an impeccable reputation.
• As a committee, we pledge our commitment to work with your office in our mandate of adjudicating and promoting the visibility of SADC in Zambia.
• One way NAC plans to achieve this is to involve the private sector through sponsorship of lucrative awards for winning entries at national level.

Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary says Zambia continues to place high premium on her membership and role in Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Speaking during launch of the 2022 SADC Media Awards in Lusaka Kennedy Kalunga saif with the population of over 300 million citizens, SADC has over the years evolved into an important post-colonial and post-apartheid Economic bloc which continues to impact positively on the lives of people in the region.

“For her part Zambia is not only the birthplace of SADC but also remains a strong and committed Member of the regional body.” He said.

The Country’s long standing credentials of peace, stability and unity have earned her an impeccable reputation as an influential player in the region and beyond,” The Permanent Secretary added.

Mr. Kalunga further noted that to ensure the relevance for which SADC was established are visible, the SADC Secretariat conducts media awards, a platform for recognizing the role of the Media in the integration and development agenda through information dissemination.

He noted that in conducting the annual SADC awards, member states are required to set up a multi-sectoral National Adjudication committee (NAC) comprising representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, media associations and other stakeholders.

“Hence the presence at this function, of members of the SADC National Adjudication Committee, led by the chairperson Mr. Chisebwe Fumbeshi.” Mr. Kalunga explained.

The Permanent Secretary had since called upon Journalists and other media practitioners in the country to participate in the 2022 SADC Media Awards.

“The Zambian Media continues to impact the region positivity in terms of information dissemination on various developments. He added.

Further, SADC National Adjudication Committee (NAC) Chairperson Chisebwe Fumbeshi pledged NAC commitment to work with Ministry of Information and Media in the mandate of adjudicating and promoting the visibility of SADC in Zambia through the annual SADC media awards.

“As a committee, we pledge our commitment to work with your office in our mandate of adjudicating and promoting the visibility of SADC in Zambia through the annual SADC media awards.” He stated.

Mr. Fumbeshi further stated that Covid-19 has been a major restriction in carrying out some of the plans aimed at popularising the SADC Media awards.

“We are, however, happy to note that the Covid-19 situation is improving.” He said.

The NAC Chairperson who is also Fairworld Properties Chief Executive Officer, Lusaka Chamber of Commerce Board Member sated that the committee will come up with strategies to effectively publicize the annual SADC Media Awards in order to popularize and widen participation of the media in the awards, going forward.

He said one way NAC plans to achieve this is to involve the private sector through sponsorship of lucrative awards for winning entries at national level.

“We believe this will spur interest in more journalists to participate in the awards, thereby contributing to information dissemination on SADC issues in the country.”