The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Executive Secretary Dumsani Masilela has underscored the importance of industrialisation as the cornerstone of the organisation’s strategic agenda.
Addressing the 9th Summit of SACU Heads of State and Government held in Cape Town, South Africa, at the International Convention Centre, Masilela painted a picture of steady progress amid global economic challenges while calling for stronger private sector involvement and accelerated implementation.
“Without the effective participation of the business sector, all these efforts will be meaningless,” he warned, noting that the ongoing paradigm shift in the global trade policy landscape makes private sector engagement more critical than ever.
The high-level summit was preceded by a series of preparatory meetings of SACU institutions held from June 21 to 25. These included the SACU Ministerial Retreat and meetings of the Council of Ministers, where delegates reviewed progress reports on the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan approved in June 2022.
The foundational plan prioritises industrialisation through regional value chains, investment attraction and export promotion.
The Eswatini delegation attending the summit comprises Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg; Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Manqoba Khumalo; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Pholile Shakantu; Eswatini High Commissioner to South Africa Lindiwe Kunene, as well as senior government officials.
Masilela congratulated by His Majesty
Newly appointed Southern African Customs Union (SACU) Executive Secretary Dumsani Masilela has earned the praise of His Majesty King Mswati III following the successful hosting of the 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government.
His Majesty made this known personally to Masilela after the summit as they took a moment to pose for pictures before holding talks behind closed doors.
Masilela and the SACU Secretariat also received applause from the Chairman of the organisation, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and other speakers at the summit.
After the summit, Masilela joined South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in fielding media questions, where he acquitted himself like a seasoned expert.
The former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and former Commissioner General of the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) brings a wealth of knowledge to the Secretariat to help him navigate the mammoth task that lies ahead.
This is the first time a Liswati has occupied the position of SACU Executive Secretary. Eswatini has previously only had an acting Executive Secretary in Alma Andrade during transitional periods.
