The current crop of SADC leadership has been urged to go beyond time and space to fulfil the vision of the founders of the regional bloc.

Botswana's minister of International Relations, Phenyo Butale, made this rallying call recently when delivering a speech to mark the SADC Liberation Day.

Dr Butale said SADC founders played a significant role in ensuring that political independence is won, but the final destination will only be reached when the citizens of the region are economically emancipated.

"While political independence was a monumental achievement, it was not the final destination. The founders of SADC recognised that true liberation requires economic empowerment, social justice, and sustainable development. Our regional efforts, therefore, continue to address challenges such as inequality, unemployment, and governance."

SADC, whose origins trace back to the 1960s and 1970s, works towards the promotion of economic cooperation and integration amongst its members, which include Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, among others.