Southern Africa Regional Plan
3. What makes Southern Africa distinct?
3.1 History
It is important to take account of the specifics of the Southern Africa region. There are a number of factors which will shape how issues are addressed through the regional plan. Southern Africa’s colonial history and liberation struggles have had a strong influence in shaping relationships between the countries of the region, and have left [...]
3.2 Inequality
High inequality can mask the high levels of poverty in the region, with large numbers of people experiencing increasing vulnerability. Inequalities also threaten social cohesion in the region. Inequalities within countries are echoed at the regional level by imbalances between Southern African states. South Africa makes up more than 60% of the region’s GDP. As [...]
3.3 International relations
While South Africa is a dominant force (reliance on South African imports ranges from 35% to 90% among the other countries of the region), DRC and Angola are large countries with huge untapped resources. However SADC’s total GDP is only equal to that of Belgium. Most countries in the region depend on exports of primary [...]
3.4 Vulnerability
Southern Africa has the highest rates of HIV and AIDS prevalence in the world, with 8 hyper endemic countries in the SADC region. HIV prevalence among pregnant women in South Africa is 29%, and 1 in 2 women in Swaziland is infected. The pandemic impacts the most economically active members of households and communities, in [...]
3.5 Questions: characteristics of the region
What are the key characteristics of the Southern Africa region which should influence development efforts? What distinguishes the region from other parts of Africa?
3.6 Questions: three challenges and issues
What are the three most important challenges facing the Southern Africa region? What are the three most important issues to be tackled to overcome those challenges?
3.7 Questions: key players
Who are the key players responding to these challenges? Are their efforts effective? What are the constraints?
