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President Thabo Mbeki will today - Sunday, 24 August 2003 - depart from South Africa for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania where he will lead the South African delegation, consisting of Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Thoko Didiza and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to the SADC Heads of State and Government Summit from Monday to Tuesday, 25 - 26 August 2003.

The summit is expected to discuss among others:

* The SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP), which will provide a blueprint for SADC development for the next 15 years;
* Restructuring of SADC and its institutions;
* Developments around the operationalisation of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security Co-operation;
* The regional political, economic and social developments;
* Progress made in the alleviation of the food crisis experienced by many southern African countries;
* The status of the ratification and implementation of SADC Protocols;
* Operationalisation of the African Union and the implementation of NEPAD.

For further information contact:
* Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
* Nomfanelo Kota on 082 377 7208

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, 24 August 2003
Source: SAPA