Effects of regional economic integration in Southern Africa and the role of the Republic of South Africa

This study examines the democratisation and political reform process in the region, focusing on the Republic of South Africa. It is divided into two phases: the first assesses the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) when South Africa was a competitive and hostile neighbor, while the second explores the region's prospects under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) with a democratic South Africa. SADCC is primarily discussed up to 1992, transitioning to SADC thereafter. The study aims to evaluate the performance of regional policies on manufacturing and trade, providing a critical assessment for future policy formulation. SADCC sought to develop a functioning regional economy, enhance the use of domestic resources, strengthen national economies through macroeconomic adjustments, and adapt to a dynamic environment for increased production and trade. Rather than following a traditional market liberalisation approach, SADCC chose to integrate through cooperation in production, known as the "Production Coordination Approach" (PCA). This approach was intended to complement market liberalisation efforts.