Zuma to SADC summit

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma will lead a delegation to the 34th ordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Zimbabwe at the weekend, the department of international relations said on Friday.

"The SADC summit, convened annually in August, is a statutory meeting aimed at examining the performance of its institutions and to review the overall implementation of its socio-economic programmes," it said in a statement.

"During the summit, the SADC leaders will deliberate on socio-economic issues that affect the region, including the global economic situation; the performance of the SADC economy; gender and development; food security; and HIV and Aids."

Zuma would be accompanied by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, State Security Minister David Mahlobo, and Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

Zimbabwe is the new chair of SADC, taking over from the Republic of Malawi during the summit in Victoria Falls.