Lamola urges SADC to back a woman for UN secretary-general

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, has urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states to back a woman for the next United Nations secretary-general. Lamola made the appeal as South Africa formally accepted the SADC Council of Ministers chairpersonship for 2026–2027.

Call for a woman at the UN’s helm

Lamola spoke about the UN selection process, which is currently under way to find a successor to António Guterres. Guterres’s second five-year term ends on 31 December 2026, and the incoming secretary-general’s five-year term will begin on 1 January 2027. Lamola said South Africa’s stance would be rooted in its convictions on gender equality.

“We have always been guided by our own convictions and beliefs in gender equality. This should be the opportunity for the UN to elect the first woman secretary-general and we should be at the forefront as this region to make that possible,” Lamola said.

Context of South Africa’s SADC chairpersonship

Lamola made the remarks after South Africa assumed the SADC Council of Ministers chairpersonship from Zimbabwe in Durban on 12 August 2026. He described accepting the role with “great humility and a profound sense of responsibility” and emphasised that the mandate is a collective duty for the region.

He paid tribute to Zimbabwe for its work during its tenure and welcomed Zambia as incoming chair. Lamola invoked the legacy of Inkosi Albert Luthuli, saying delegates should draw strength from shared histories.

Priorities for 2026–2027

Lamola outlined four strategic priorities for South Africa’s leadership of SADC: peace and security, industrialisation and trade, infrastructure development and human capital, and migration and human rights.

Migration and human rights

On migration, Lamola warned against vigilantism and stressed the need for lawful approaches. He called on member states to sign the protocol on the free movement of people to promote regular and orderly migration.

“As we address the legitimate concerns of our citizens, we equally and forcefully reject all forms of vigilantism and human rights violations. Addressing irregular migration must occur within an orderly and lawful framework.”

Lamola concluded by wishing Zambia peaceful elections on 13 August and reiterated that democracy remains central to development.