A SASSCAL delegation held a high-level engagement with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Wildlife of Zimbabwe as part of efforts to expand SASSCAL’s regional membership and strengthen cooperation on climate change, environmental research and sustainable development.
The meeting took place on 28 July 2026 in Harare, Zimbabwe, with the SASSCAL delegation led by Prof. Patricia Mogomotsi, Vice Chairperson of the SASSCAL Governing Board and Head of Delegation. The delegation included Mr. Teofilus Nghitila, Chairperson of the SASSCAL Governing Board (who joined virtually), Mr. John Chongo, Alternate Governing Board Member, Prof. Nelago Indongo, Executive Director, and Ms. Johanna Mumangeni, Board Secretary and Legal Advisor.
The Zimbabwean delegation was led by Mr. Washington Zhakata, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Wildlife, accompanied by Mr. Kudzai Ndidzano, Acting Director of Climate Change, and other senior Ministry officials.
Prof. Mogomotsi explained that the engagement forms part of SASSCAL’s regional membership expansion initiative, which seeks to strengthen collaboration among Southern African countries in addressing climate change and environmental challenges. She highlighted that SASSCAL supports governments by providing scientific research, data and knowledge to inform evidence-based policies and decision-making.
The delegation also presented SASSCAL’s mandate, achievements, governance structure, and the requirements and process for countries interested in becoming Member States.
Speaking on behalf of the SASSCAL Governing Board, Mr. Teofilus Nghitila emphasised that SASSCAL plays an important role in strengthening the region’s ability to respond to climate change. He noted that through scientific research, capacity building and knowledge sharing, SASSCAL contributes to developing solutions that improve climate resilience across Southern Africa.
Mr. Zhakata welcomed the engagement and acknowledged the strong alignment between Zimbabwe’s climate change priorities and SASSCAL’s objectives. He expressed the Government of Zimbabwe’s interest in strengthening regional cooperation through SASSCAL and confirmed that the Ministry would begin internal consultation processes while working with the SASSCAL Regional Secretariat to engage relevant stakeholders.
The engagement marks an important step towards strengthening regional partnerships and advancing collective efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development in Southern Africa.
