The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) convened a two-day Board Induction Workshop at the Protea Hotel OR Tambo in Johannesburg, marking a significant step in strengthening governance, accountability, and leadership within the organisation. The session brought together newly appointed and continuing Board Members, senior management, and a governance consultant to ensure that the institution continues to deliver effectively on its regional mandate.
The Board Induction aimed to equip the Board with essential knowledge of corporate governance best practices, clarify institutional roles, and enhance oversight capacity to guide CCARDESA’s strategic direction in serving SADC Member States.
The Chairperson, Prof. Menete, officially opened the induction, welcoming members and encouraging open dialogue and mutual learning. She highlighted the importance of strong governance and collaboration between the Board and Secretariat to ensure that CCARDESA continues to add value to the SADC region through research coordination and innovation-driven agriculture.
In his remarks, Dr. Barthlomew Chataika, Acting Executive Director of CCARDESA, reminded participants of the organisation’s founding vision and the responsibility entrusted to the Board. “We must embody the vision of CCARDESA as our forefathers envisaged it, a Centre that upholds credibility, adheres to policy, remains transparent, and is fully accountable in delivering its mandate,” he said. Dr. Chataika reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to working closely with the Board to strengthen governance, drive innovation, and accelerate impact across the region. He concluded with a call for collective commitment to resource mobilization, partnership building, and alignment with regional and continental priorities to sustain CCARDESA’s mission.
The induction featured a series of detailed presentations by members of the Secretariat, providing insights into CCARDESA’s operational framework and strategic direction. Dr. Barthlomew Chataika presented on the CCARDESA Charter, while Dr Majola Mabuza outlined the CCARDESA Long-Term Strategic Plan and Medium-Term Operational Plan. Mrs. Lerang Maruping explained the Governance Manual, and Mrs. Botho Monyama presented the Human Resources Manual. The Finance and Accounting Manager, Mr. Simbarashe Mutamiri, provided an overview of the Finance Guidelines, while Mr. Tseliso Makara, Procurement and Logistics Officer, discussed the Procurement Guidelines. Dr. Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo presented the CCARDESA Research Priorities, and Dr. Jerome Queste shared insights on Resource Mobilisation strategies. The presentations were complemented by Dr. Mabuza, who discussed CCARDESA’s ongoing programmes and projects.
Throughout the two days, participants engaged in sessions on governance foundations, roles and responsibilities of the Board, fiduciary duties, strategic oversight, ethical leadership, and risk management. To wrap up the induction, Mr. Emmanuel Mushokabanji, the governance consultant, delivered a powerful presentation on the intricacies of good governance. He guided both the Board and the Secretariat through their respective roles, stressing that sound governance requires steadfast commitment to established processes and integrity in decision-making. He urged participants to “stand as firm as a pole” in upholding governance principles, emphasizing that adherence to proper procedures is the cornerstone of institutional credibility and sustainability.
Reflecting on the workshop, Dr. Mathabo Tsepa from Lesotho, one of the Board Members, described the induction as “a good meeting and an eye-opening experience.” Her sentiments echoed the collective appreciation of participants for the clarity, openness, and renewed sense of direction the workshop provided.
The CCARDESA Board of Directors brings together a wealth of expertise and regional diversity from across the SADC region and beyond. The Board is chaired by Professor Maria Zélia Lopes Menete from the Republic of Mozambique, with Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo from the Republic of Zimbabwe serving as Vice Chairperson, and Mr. Reginald Mootiemang Motswaiso from the Republic of Botswana as Finance Expert. Other Board members include Dr. Lutaladio Ne Bambi Jacques from the Democratic Republic of Congo (Environmental Expert); Dr. Mathabo Tsepa from the Kingdom of Lesotho (Civil Society Expert); Ms. Herisoa Marinat Rakotoniaina from the Republic of Madagascar (Agribusiness Representative); Dr. Mohamed Dhamir Kombo from the United Republic of Tanzania (Agricultural Research Representative); Professor Thomson Haamutete Kalinda from the Republic of Zambia (Agricultural Research Representative); Dr. Elisa Lopes Ferreira da Costa from the Republic of Angola (Public Sector Representative); Mr. Domingos Gove representing SADC; Dr. Aggrey Agumya representing FARA; Mr. Eddie Hasheela from the Republic of Namibia (Public Sector Representative); and Professor Wales Singini from the Republic of Malawi (Higher Education Representative). The position of Legal Expert and Farmer Representative remain vacant. Together, these distinguished individuals provide strategic oversight, policy guidance, and fiduciary leadership to steer CCARDESA’s vision of promoting collaborative agricultural research and innovation across Southern Africa.
The workshop concluded with the establishment of Board sub-committees. Overall, participants agreed that CCARDESA will be set on the right trajectory if all governance principles are consistently upheld. The induction was hailed as a pivotal milestone in positioning CCARDESA for greater efficiency and impact. By deepening its understanding of governance frameworks and fostering collaboration between the Board and Secretariat, CCARDESA is poised to strengthen its coordination role in advancing sustainable agricultural research and development across the SADC region.
