The late Dr Esau Chiviya. File photo: Moses Magadza
By Moses Magadza
The Former Secretary General of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Dr Esau Chiviya, has died.
Dr Chiviya, a Zimbabwean who served at the helm of the regional inter-parliamentary body, died on Monday 3rd June 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, according to a statement by the Forum.
His body will be repatriated to Zimbabwe for burial, whose date had not been set by the time of going to press.
In a condolence message, Honourable Roger Mancienne, the President of the SADC PF and Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, said Dr Chiviya, who served as the Secretary General of the SADC PF from 1st August 2009 to 30th June 2019, “was a remarkable professional who served the SADC PF and the SADC region’s parliamentary community with unparalleled dedication and distinction”.
Honourable Mancienne added: “Throughout his tenure, Dr Chiviya demonstrated an unwavering commitment to parliamentary excellence and made significant contributions to parliamentary democracy, including overseeing the development and adoption of Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures in Southern Africa.
His work left an indelible mark on national Parliaments across the SADC region. The SADC PF President said Dr Chiviya’s life was “one of dedication to public service” and noted that he would be “dearly missed but never forgotten”.
SADC PF current SG Ms Boemo Sekgoma said Dr Chiviya would be remembered, also, for his contribution towards building the capacity of national parliaments and Members of Parliaments to respond to current and emerging issues as well as in strengthening the role of parliaments in election observation.
“Dr Chiviya was a dedicated and respected professional who served the SADC PF with distinction. His contributions to the Forum and the SADC region’s parliamentary community are etched in the annals of history and will be remembered with great respect and admiration,” Sekgoma said in a statement.
The Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia which hosts the Secretariat of the SADC PF, Honourable Professor Peter Katjavivi on Tuesday led his parliament in observing a minute of silence in memory of Dr Chiviya.
He said: “Dr Chiviya was a dedicated professional who contributed immensely to the promotion of the SADC Parliamentary Forum. He greatly assisted the vision for the transformation of the Forum into a regional parliament.
“I have duly conveyed condolences on behalf of the National Assembly to his wife and the family. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
