A Moment in History for Tanzania!

The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax (left), awaits to be sworn in during the 33rd Heads of State and Government SADC Summit held in Lilongwe, Malawi from the17 - 18 of August, 2013. 

The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax (center), gets ready to approach the stage to be sworn in. 

The new Executive Secretary of SADC gets sworn in by the Chief Justice of Malawi. 

The Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawicongratulates Dr. Stergomena L. Tax for her new prestigious position as the SADC's Executive Secretary. 

New Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax affirms her signature after be sworn in by the Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, the first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawi. 

There it is!  SADC new Executive Secretary Dr. Stergomena L. Tax shows off executed document affirming her new duties as the new Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community.  

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Lax was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of East African Cooperation.   Right is the Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, the first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawi.

H.E. President Joyce Banda of Malawi (2nd left) congratulates Dr. Stergomena L. Tax of the United Republic of Tanzania, SADC's new Executive Secretary.  

It should be noted that Dr. Tax is the first woman to be appointed and serve as an Executive Secretary in the SADC region, whereas President Banda is also the first woman President in both Malawi and in the SADC region, as well as the first woman to be the SADC Chairperson.  

Others in the photo are the Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, the first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawi and The African Union Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the first woman to lead the African Union and the first South African.

An historical moment indeed, showing the four women currently in highest position in the SADC region.  From left is the Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, the first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawi,  H.E. President Joyce Banda of Malawi (2nd left),  Dr. Stergomena L. Tax of the United Republic of Tanzania, SADC's new Executive Secretary and the African Union Chairperson H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

The outgoing Executive Secretary of the SADC, Dr. Tomaz Augusto Salomão congratulates Dr. Stergomena L. Tax, after she was sworn in as the new Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).

Also in the audience were Ambassador Naimi Aziz (3rd left), new Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in Ethiopia and Judge Frederick Werema (fourth left), Attorney General. 

Ambassador Rajabu Gamaha (3rd right), Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Radhia Msuya (2nd right), High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in South Africa and Ambassador Adadi Rajab (4th right), High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Zimbabwe were also there to witness this historical moment. 

Tanzania delegation that included Acting Permanent Secretary Dr. S. Likwelile from the Ministry of Finance and Senior Advisors to President Kikwete. 

Hon. Dr. Abdallah Kigoda (MP) (left), Minister for Industry and Trade  Hon. Dr. William Mgimwa (MP) (2nd left), Minister of Finance were also in the audience to witness an historical moment.

Hon. Bernard K. Membe (MP) (2nd right), Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation and Ambassador Patrick Tsere, High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania in Malawi were also in hand to witness an historical moment. 

The new SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Stergomena L. Tax does an interview with Tanzania media immediately after she was sworn in before Supreme Court Judge Anastazia Msosa, the first ever woman Chief Justice in the  the Republic of Malawi.  The news reporters are Ms. Maulidi Ahmed (left) of the Habari Leo/Daily News, Ms. Ufoo Saro (center) of the ITV and Mr. Adam Gille of the State House. 

During her interview, Dr. Tax expressed her readiness to assume her new duty as an Executive Secretary of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).  "It is an honor for me and for my country to be recognized for such a prestigious post," said Dr. Tax during the interview.

"I am deeply honored and I thank President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete for his support and for believing in me.  I promise to work hard and deliver what is expected out of me.  My goal is to continue strengthening the regional integration and cooperation that has existed in the SADC since its formation," said Executive Secretary Dr. Stergomena L. Tax.

All photos by Tagie Daisy Mwakawago