National media coordinators and development partners in Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Comoros have been urged to intensify awareness and promotion of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards.

Head of Communications and Public Relations at the SADC Secretariat, Barbara Lopi, made this passionate plea yesterday in her remarks during the 31st SADC Regional Adjudication Committee virtual meeting for the 2026 SADC Media Awards.

Lopi called upon regional stakeholders to join hands in building a regional narrative that inspires pride, unity, solidarity, and hope in order to ensure that every SADC citizen feels part of something greater and transformative.

This year, Lopi said 28 entries from 11 of the 16 member states are being adjudicated as the region seeks to strengthen regional integration through the power of storytelling.

"To the Member States that did not submit entries this year, I urge you to make extra efforts to submit entries next year. That will require intensifying awareness and promotion of the SADC Media Awards at the national level, working closely with media houses and media professional bodies. Surely, every member state has an SADC story to tell, a story of regional cooperation, integration, and development that deserves to be shared through this competition."

Established in 1996, following the approval of the SADC Council of Ministers in 1995, the SADC Media Awards celebrate outstanding reporting on regional cooperation, integration, and community-building.