Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe was born on February 21 1924. He has been Zimbabwe’s leader since 1980. Winning resoundingly in presidential elections he has spearheaded the transformation of the country resulting in the black majority acquiring productive land previously in the hands of a few white minority and is presently leading in efforts for economic empowerment through the indigenisation policy.

Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos was born on August 28 1942. He has been President of Angola since 1979. President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos is the commander-in-chief of the Angolan armed forces and the president of the People’s Movement of the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), the party that has ruled Angola since it gained independence in 1975.

Botswana President Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama was born on February 27 1953. He has been the President of Botswana since April 1 2008.After serving as commander of the defence force, he entered politics as Vice-President of Botswana from 1998-2008, then succeeded Festus Mogae as President in 2008.

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila was born on June 4 1971 and has been President of the DRC since January 2001. He took office after the assassination of his father, President Laurent Kabila. He was elected as President in 2006. In 2011, he was re-elected for a second term.
Lesotho Head of State, David Mohato Bereng Seeiso born on July 17 1963 is the reigning king of Lesotho. He succeeded his father, Moshoeshoe II, when the latter was forced into exile in 1990. His father was briefly restored in 1995 but died in a car crash in early 1996 and Letsie became king again.

Madagascan President Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina was born November 6 1958 and has been President since January 2014.

Malawian President Arthur Peter Mutharika was born in 1940 is a politician, educator and lawyer who has been President of Malawi since May 31 2014.

Mauritian President Rajleswur Purryag was elected as the fifth President of Mauritius by the National Assembly and took office on July 21 2012.Kailash Purryag previously served as Member of Parliament, Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly; he made his debut in the political arena in 1976.

Mozambican President Armando Emilio Guebuza was born on January 20 in 1943 is a former member of Frelimo’s Politburo. By the time independence was achieved in 1975 he had become an important general and leader in Frelimo. He has been the President of Mozambique since 2005.

Namibian President Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba was born on August 18 1935 and has been President of Namibia since March 2005. He won the 2004 election overwhelmingly as the candidate of SWAPO, the ruling party and was re-elected in the 2009 election. He has been the President of SWAPO since November 2007.

Seychelles President Colonel James Alix Michel was born on August 16 1944 and has been Seychelles President since April 16 2004. He previously served as Vice-President under his predecessor, France-Albert Rene’, from 1996 to 2004.

South African President Jacob Zuma was born on April 12 1942 and became the President of South Africa following his party’s victory in 2009. He was re-elected in the 2014 election. Zuma is the president of the African National Congress, the governing political body and was Deputy President of South Africa from 1995 to 2005.

King Mswati III born Prince Dlamini was born on April 19 1968 is the current King of Swaziland and head of the Swazi Royal Family. He became King of Swaziland on April 25 1986 at the age of 18 thus becoming the youngest ruling monarch at the time in the world.

Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete was born October 7 1950 is the fourth and current President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Prior to his election in 2005, he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs for 10 years under his predecessor.

Zambian President Michael Sata was born in 1937 and is the fifth President of Zambia since September 23 2011.He is a social democrat who leads the Patriotic Front party in Zambia. He was minister in the 1990s under President Fredrick Chiluba.

SADC Supplement photos by Sheldon Hakata