This year has not been a good year for CCARDESA, due to the untimely passing of our colleague Mr Moses Musikanga who was a dear friend, a true professional, full of energy and ideas and ever-busy MHSRIP. May God grant his family peace in the midst of the storm and heal them and give them direction into their new life after Moses. We also stand in prayer with our brother and colleague, Dr Baitsi Podisi as he grieves the loss of his beloved mother. May God grant his family the much-desired strength and wisdom even at this time of extreme sadness.
I am extremely delighted that we just concluded a very successful Board Meeting. The Secretariat managed to implement most of the Board Decisions and Directives from the 24th Board Meeting, although there are still a few urgent items to be accomplished in early 2021. Further, 2021 might be the busiest year for us as we begin the implementation of our core strategies. I wish to thank all staff that were involved directly or indirectly in the 2020 success stories of CCARDESA, and in preparations for the 25th Board meeting.
As we are approaching the festive break, I implore all of us to remain VIGILANT against the COVID-19 pandemic during this period considering that most SADC countries are entering the second wave of the COVID-19 which appears to be more deadly than the first phase. I urge you to observe and comply with the global COVID-19 protocols and take all precautions to the best of your ability, and particularly encourage close friends and family to adhere to the protocols as well because if they do not, we remain in extreme DANGER.
CCARDESA has a massive responsibility to implement the Mid Term Operational Plan (MTOP) 2021 – 2025, 2021 Annual Work Plan, and the Resource Mobilization Strategy 2021 – 2025 concurrently. Hence, the festive vacation or leave will allow us to recharge our batteries as we will require unprecedented amounts of energy and levels of determination in the next year, albeit under the new normal.
I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!
Dr Cliff.S. Dlamini
