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6.1.1 National versus Regional Interests
Despite all the milestones achieved by SADC over its history, the often apparent contra-
dictions between national versus regional interests is a challenge that has tended to slow
the pace of regional integration. There is therefore need to strike an appropriate balance
between national and regional interests in a manner that demonstrates confidence in the
regional institutions that have been created by Member States, by strengthening the level
of delegation to such institutions. Further, building on national interests to stimulate re-
gional interests is highly recommended.

6.1.2 Domestication and Implementation
In spite of all its successes, there are concerns that are often raised with respect to the slow
pace and non-implementation of SADC decisions and agreements. For example, although
most SADC protocols have been ratified, the domestication of protocols remains sluggish
and hence delays the realisation of the SADC development goals. This process entails
alignment of national laws and policies with regional agreements, which brings to promi-
nence the role of the Legislature.

6.1.3 Compliance and Enforcement Mechanisms
It can be noted that there are limited effective mechanisms for enforcing implementation
of Member State obligations and commitments. There is need to devise more effective
mechanisms to ensure compliance and enforcement.

6.1.4 Institutional Arrangements 145
While institutional reforms adopted by regional economic blocs such as SADC are necess-
ary to foster regional integration, these reforms often put too much emphasis on what form
the identified institutions should take rather than focusing more on the functions that they
should perform. Putting functions at the heart of the restructuring process would better
place the Regional Economic Community to respond to realities at the regional and na-
tional levels. Further, there are lessons to be drawn from the experiences in other regional
groupings in Africa that have fared better in driving their regional integration agendas.

6.1.5 Capacity to Deliver the Regional Integration Agenda
Capacity in various dimensions at regional and national levels is a major challenge that
needs to be addressed if the regional integration agenda is to deliver more efficiently
and effectively.

6.1.6 Stakeholder Participation
There is need for regular consultations with stakeholders in their diversity to afford the
opportunity to the wider community to effectively participate in the regional integration
agenda in line with the provisions of the SADC Treaty of 1992. To this end, there is need
to strengthen the SADC National Committees to provide stakeholder input at the national
level in the formulation of SADC policies, strategies and programmes of action.

6.1.7 Engendering Development
It can be over-emphasised that gender mainstreaming is an economic issue that involves
the release of the energies and ideas of half of the population to work with the other
half alongside men to contribute to economic development. This joint effort will stimulate
economic growth, create higher level jobs, support communities, raise productivity and
reduce poverty through economic inclusion. For example, gender responsive budgeting
in regional economies can unleash the potential of women to participate in more pro-
ductive areas of the economy, and hence contribute towards growth in national income
and government revenues.