The South African government spent R397 million to host the Southern African Development Community Summit in Durban, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said.
The event took place at the Durban International Conference Centre from 3 August to 18 August 2026.
In a parliamentary inquiry, National Assembly member Ryan Smith requested a financial breakdown from Minister Ronald Lamola regarding the summit’s expenses, specifically asking for security, logistics, and protocol figures funded by local taxpayers. Lamola responded that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the summit, explaining that the event began with a senior officials’ meeting and the council of ministers before leading to the leaders’ summit.
“Hosting the event amounted to R397 million for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as all departments were spending individually,” Lamola said.
He said that the logistics costs for the summit totalled R394 million, while the protocol costs were R3 million. The security costs for the summit were covered separately by the Security Cluster departments.
Under the theme “Resilient, sustainable and inclusive industrialisation through Infrastructure Development, Agricultural and Critical Minerals Transformation in Pursuit of a Just World,” South Africa took over the leadership of SADC while President Cyril Ramaphosa led the proceedings at the 46th SADC Summit.
“The theme emphasised the development of infrastructure, agriculture, and critical minerals to advance industrialisation,” the government said.
“It also focused on building a SADC region that is industrially competitive, climate resilient, socially inclusive, and delivers a just and prosperous future for SADC citizens,” the government added.
The summit deliberated on regional integration and development, addressing global, continental, and regional economic trends, the socio-economic and political performance of the SADC region, and the priorities of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan 2020–2030 and Vision 2050.
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