President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday delivered a powerful vision for the renewal of Southern Africa, calling for urgent regional action on gender-based violence, xenophobia, migration and climate change.

Heads of State gathered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for the 46th Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, where Ramaphosa delivered a public lecture, stressing that achieving the region's long-term developmental goals is possible but requires shifting from policy debates to direct action.

He emphasised that the continent’s response to abuse must focus heavily on prevention, survivor support, stricter legislation and better prosecutions.

While advocating for more specialised sexual offences courts, he noted that legal action alone is not enough.

"Prevention does not begin with women," Ramaphosa stated. "It begins with the men and the boys in our homes, our schools, our churches, our workplaces, and our taverns, who must be raised to reject violence and abuse."

Meanwhile, addressing recent instances of discrimination within South Africa, Ramaphosa expressed deep concern and shame over the ill-treatment of foreign nationals.

He condemned criminal acts as a “total rejection of regional solidarity”, reminding the audience that Southern Africa's identity and diversity have been shaped by migration over millennia.

Looking toward the region's ‘Vision 2050’, Ramaphosa called for an environment where people can move freely and legally. To achieve this, he urged regional leaders to collaborate on addressing the root causes of desperate migration, conflict and political instability, governance failures, deep-seated poverty and a lack of equal economic opportunities.

Ramaphosa warned that economic development and foreign investment are impossible in war zones.

He pointed to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the gravest test of regional unity, paying tribute to the Southern African soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for peace there.

Additionally, Ramaphosa welcomed progress in Mozambique’s Inclusive National Dialogue and praised the ongoing diplomatic interventions led by the SADC Panel of Elders in Madagascar.

He stressed that regional accountability institutions and election observation missions must be fully resourced to ensure democratic transparency.

Reflecting on the devastating April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal that claimed over 400 lives, Ramaphosa highlighted climate change as an immediate threat to infrastructure and livelihoods.

To prevent future catastrophes from catching the region off guard, he proposed that the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre be strengthened for immediate, unified disaster responses.

He urged for a shifting focus toward proactive disaster mitigation rather than reactive relief and said Southern African must present a united front on climate loss and damage during international climate summits.

Ramaphosa stated that the ultimate success of Vision 2050 rests in the hands of the youth, rather than current political leaders.

He challenged students and young people to hold leaders accountable for the implementation of regional goals.

"One hundred and twenty years ago, the renewal of Africa was a proposition to be defended against a hostile world," Ramaphosa said. "It is no longer a proposition. It is a programme of work. It has actions, assigned responsibilities, and deadlines.