The year 2010 is a very exciting one for Southern Africa as it plays host to two mega sporting events - the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Angola in January and the FIFA World Cup in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July.

To ensure these events truly benefit the region at large I was contracted from September 2009 to July 2010 as a Communications Expert Consultant to design SADC's first ever long term investment promotion strategy and, thereafter, help build capacity at the Secretariat by assisting in its implementation. The programme, known as 'SADC 2010', was launched on 8 September 2009 by the SADC Heads of State and Government at their 29th Summit, in Kinshasa, DRC. Built around the theme 'One Team, 15 Nations - For Sustainable Development', it is a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat initiative, with the German Government as the lead International Cooperating Partner.

Largely a Public Relations exercise to use these two games as a backdrop to promote sustainable investment into regional infrastructure projects, the unique features of this strategy lies in its groundbreaking tactical use of the media and linkages, paving the way for strengthened stakeholder relationships and long term media relations.

rama.arya@gmail.com