TANZANIA ROLLS OUT RED CARPET FOR SUGAR CONFERENCE DELEGATES

Tanzania hosted a highly successful Federation of SADC Sugar Producers (FSSP) Conference in July this year.

(BACK, FROM LEFT) Walter Matsebula, Dr Muhammad Kadwa, Nontobeko Mabuza, Khetsiwe Dlamini, Ackson Tembo, Tawonga Munthali, Johann Van Der Merwe, Joyce Opondo, Sifiso Mhlaba and Soren Bruce. (FRONT, FROM LEFT) Regional Commissioner – Mjini Magharibi, Hon Idrissa Kitwana Mustapha; Zanzibar House of Representatives – Hon. Zuibeir Ali Maulid; United Republic of Zanzibar’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Hon Omar Sai Shaaban; President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar, H. E. Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi; Tanzania Sugar Producers’ Association Chairperson, Mr Seif A Seif;  Minister of Trade and Industry Development of Tanzania – Hon Dr Selemani Sai Jafo and, SADC Sugar Producers’ Consultative Forum Chairperson, Mrs Portia Mpofu.

The gathering saw various sugar-producing African countries gather in Zanzibar to discuss crucial sugar industry matters and map a way forward. South Africa was represented by South African Sugar Association’s External Affairs Director Portia Mpofu, National Market and Trade Policy Director Sifiso Mhlaba, South African Cane Growers’ Association’s Dr Muhammad Kadwa and Soren Bruce. President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, was the guest of honour and delivered the opening speech. There were also remarks from Minister of Industry and Trade, United Republic of Tanzania, and Minister of Trade and Industrial Development of Zanzibar.

In her remarks, Mpofu, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the SADC Sugar Producers’ Consultative Forum, lauded Zanzibar and the host country for great hospitality. “We are extremely honoured and privileged that the Honourable President is gracing the FSSP Conference. This is the strongest indication that the President takes the sugar industry in Africa seriously. Mr President, we have been made to feel at home. We have been treated like royalty since we arrived here”. She added: “One of the key elements of FSSP Conferences is to experience different cultures and traditions each year. We believe that embracing diversity is imbued in our DNA as Africans. Historically speaking, South Africa and Tanzania are joined at the hip, so this is actually home for us”.

(FROM LEFT) South Africa’s Dr Muhammad Kadwa, Portia Mpofu, Sifiso Mhlaba and Soren Bruce.

Mpofu reminded delegates that the sugar industry remained very important for the economic growth of the continent, and that sugar producers must continue to work together in overcoming challenges, coming up with solutions and identifying opportunities for growth. Furthermore, she emphasised the significance of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, saying, “We, as SADC sugar producers, have a critical role to play to ensure that we robustly engage our respective government to see to it that AfCFTA becomes a reality. We remain fully committed to the mission of all regional sugar producers putting the interests of the industry first and moving in the same direction”.

In a panel discussion titled “Towards a competitive sugar industry in Africa”, experts and delegates crystallised ideas pertaining to what needs to be done to move the sector forward and make it a force to be reckoned with. The overall emerging theme was that all sugar producers committed to play their part to ensure a thriving and successful industry.