19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region Held in Gauteng
第 19 屆英聯邦非洲地區議長及主持官會議於豪登省舉行
Introduction
The 19th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth Africa Region (CSPOC Africa) began on 16 June 2026 in Kempton Park, South Africa. The event focuses on how parliamentary leadership can support sustainable development.
第 19 屆英聯邦非洲地區議長及主持官會議（CSPOC Africa）於 2026 年 6 月 16 日在南非肯普頓帕克開始。此次活動聚焦於議會領導層如何支持可持續發展。
Main Body
The summit is jointly hosted by the Parliament of South Africa and the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. This is significant because it includes local provincial government in a meeting usually reserved for national leaders. Around 300 representatives from over 50 African nations met to discuss the theme of 'Proactive Parliaments and Sustainable Development.' Their goal is to move from simply reacting to problems toward a more forward-thinking style of governance. Before the meetings, delegates visited the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprisings, connecting past struggles for freedom to today's democratic systems.
本次峰會由南非議會與豪登省立法會共同主辦。這一點意義重大，因為這將通常僅限於國家領導人的會議擴展到了地方省政府。來自 50 多個非洲國家的約 300 名代表聚集在一起，討論「積極議會與可持續發展」這一主題。他們的目標是從單純對問題做出反應，轉向一種更具前瞻性的治理風格。在會議之前，代表團訪問了索維托的赫克托·皮特森紀念館，以紀念 1976 年青年起義 50 週年，將過去爭取自由的奮鬥與今日的民主制度聯繫起來。
During the event, speakers emphasized that economic integration is key to stability. Acting Gauteng Premier Faith Mazibuko described the province as a major economic center and encouraged the use of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to create industrial growth and jobs for young people. She asserted that regional cooperation is more important than competition for the continent's progress. Meanwhile, Ms. Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, emphasized that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is a vital tool for improving scientific knowledge to help society.
在活動期間，發言者強調經濟整合是穩定的關鍵。豪登省代理省長 Faith Mazibuko 將該省描述為主要的經濟中心，並鼓勵利用非洲大陸自由貿易區（AfCFTA）來創造工業增長並為年輕人提供就業機會。她堅稱，對於非洲大陸的進步而言，區域合作比競爭更重要。同時，全國省議會主席 Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane 強調，英聯邦議會協會（CPA）是提升科學知識以造福社會的重要工具。
Furthermore, the conference discussed the difficult issue of irregular migration. Minister Ronald Lamola, representing President Cyril Ramaphosa, stated that migration is caused by systemic failures, such as economic decline and conflict. He emphasized that only the state has the legal right to enforce immigration laws and condemned illegal violence against migrants. Consequently, the Minister urged parliaments to make sure their governments address the root causes of migration by creating regional economic zones and improving cooperation between countries.
此外，會議討論了非法移民這一艱難議題。代表總統 Cyril Ramaphosa 的部長 Ronald Lamola 表示，移民是由系統性失效引起的，例如經濟衰退與衝突。他強調只有國家擁有執行移民法的法律權限，並譴責針對移民的非法暴力行為。因此，部長促請各議會確保其政府透過建立區域經濟區及改善國家間的合作，來解決移民的根本原因。
Conclusion
The conference continues until 19 June 2026, with delegates attending sessions on legislative oversight and governance reform.
會議將持續至 2026 年 6 月 19 日，代表將出席關於立法監督與治理改革的會議。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Jump': From Simple Actions to Complex Concepts
An A2 student says: "The leaders want to fix problems." A B2 student says: "The goal is to move from reacting to problems toward a more forward-thinking style of governance."
What is the difference? It is the shift from Basic Verbs Abstract Nouns & Phrasal Logic. To reach B2, you must stop describing what people do and start describing how systems work.
🛠️ The Linguistic Tool: "The Shift"
Look at this phrase from the text:
"move from simply reacting... toward a more forward-thinking style of governance."
Instead of using a simple verb like "change," the author uses a From Toward structure. This allows you to describe a transition or an evolution of an idea.
How to use this:
- A2: I want to learn English better.
- B2: I want to move from basic communication toward professional fluency.
🧩 Power Vocabulary: "The Root Cause"
In the article, Minister Ronald Lamola doesn't just say "migration is a problem." He talks about "systemic failures" and "root causes."
- Systemic: This doesn't mean a "computer system." It means the problem is built into the way the whole society or organization is run.
- Root Cause: The very bottom of the problem. Not the symptom (the fever), but the cause (the virus).
B2 Strategy: Stop using the word "big" or "bad." Use words that describe the nature of the problem.
- Instead of: "A big problem with the city."
- Try: "A systemic failure in the city's infrastructure."
🔍 The Logic of "Consequently"
Notice how the text connects a problem to a solution:
[Problem: Irregular migration] [Result: Consequently, the Minister urged...]
At A2, we use "so" or "and." At B2, we use Connectors of Result to show we understand the cause-and-effect relationship of a complex situation.
Try replacing "so" with these:
- Consequently (Formal/Professional)
- Therefore (Logical/Academic)
- As a result (Clear/Direct)