The South African leader was particularly complimentary of the new president of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Andry Rajoelina.

In political communication , the tone is often polite and the praise, conventional. Some statements, however, ring with rare sincerity. This is the case with the portrait painted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of his Malagasy counterpart, Andry Rajoelina. The latter was elected president of the SADC on August 17, 2025, at the organization's 45th summit, for a one-year term.

"As we watched you at work, we have seen that you possess the essential qualities of a great leader. We know that SADC is in good hands and that, under your leadership, it will continue to move towards regional integration, economic resilience and sustainable development," said Cyril Ramaphosa.

He also welcomed Andry Rajoelina's roadmap for SADC, which prioritizes agricultural modernization, industrialization, and energy transition—an agenda that, according to the South African president, "resonates deeply with the aspirations of our region."

But it was his negotiating skills that most impressed Cyril Ramaphosa. "You impressed us with your ability to lead discussions and steer our discussions toward consensus, even on difficult issues where our opinions diverged. You brought us together, and we sincerely thank you for that," he said.

This statement is all the more significant given that South Africa, the SADC's largest economy, is a key player in the development of southern Africa. This public support can only strengthen the legitimacy of Madagascar and Andry Rajoelina on the regional stage.