President Mnangagwa, may handing over the SADC Chairmanship teach you the beauty of a smooth transfer of power

📅 Published: August 17, 2025

📰 Source: zimbabwesituation

Curated by AllZimNews.com

On the surface, this is simply a ceremonial moment, a mere routine of rotation, where the Chairmanship passes from one member state to another.

But for me, and perhaps for many Zimbabweans, this handover offers a powerful lesson that I sincerely hope Mnangagwa himself takes to heart.

Of course, I am well aware of the differences between the SADC Chairmanship and the presidency of a country.

The Chairmanship is not contested through elections.

It is not a personal achievement that reflects the democratic will of the people.

It is a rotational position, more symbolic than executive, without any real powers over member states.

Yet, the very act of handing over authority when one’s term ends – regardless of how modest the role may be – embodies something beautiful about leadership.

It reflects the principle that no one should hold on to a position indefinitely, that rules exist for a reason, and that dignity comes not from clinging to power, but from knowing when to let go.

It is regrettable that back in 2023, when Mnangagwa assumed the Chairmanship, Zimbabweans were bombarded with propaganda from the ruling ZANU-PF party and state-controlled media portraying this as if SADC leaders had somehow elected him to be their regional president.

The impression deliberately painted was that Mnangagwa’s so-called “developmental successes” had charmed southern Africa into choosing him to lead them, when in fact this was simply a rotational duty.

It was not Zimbabweans who were elevated above others, nor Mnangagwa personally, but rather Zimbabwe as a member state temporarily entrusted with chairing meetings.

In fact, if elections in Zimbabwe had resulted in a change of president, the new leader – even from the opposition – would have automatically assumed the role.