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1.3.1 SADCC Vision and Objectives
SADCC was established with the vision of creating a
prosperous and united region in the longer term, and with
four specific objectives:
❖ Reduction of Member State dependence,
particularly, but not only, on apartheid
South Africa;
❖ Forging of linkages to create genuine and
equitable regional integration;
❖ Mobilisation of Member States’ resources
to promote the implementation of national,
Back from left: Hon. Dick Matenje, Malawi; Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister-designate interstate and regional policies; and
of Zimbabwe; Rt. Hon. Prince Mabandla Dlamini, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Eswatini; ❖ Concerted action to secure international
Hon. Mooki Vitus Molapo, Minister of Trade and Tourism, Kingdom of Lesotho. Front
from left: HE Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of Angola; HE Sir Seretse Khama, cooperation within the framework of the
founding President of Botswana; HE Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, founding President of strategy for economic liberation.
Zambia; HE Samora Moises Machel, founding President of Mozambique; HE Mwalimu SADCC and member states agreed to work together
Julius K. Nyerere, founding President of the United Republic of Tanzania. to counter South Africa`s dominance and strengthen di-
plomatic and material support for the liberation move-
ments which were fighting to dismantle apartheid control
over Namibia and South Africa, achieved in 1990 and
1994 respectively.
This was underscored in the Lusaka Declaration,
16 Southern Africa: Toward Economic Liberation, in which
the founders committed that “future development must aim
at the reduction of economic dependence not only on the Re-
public of South Africa, but also on any single external State
or group of States.”
The dependence on South Africa was largely visible in
the areas of transport and communications, as a major ex-
porter of goods and services, and importer of goods and cheap
labour.
President Kaunda advised his peers that there was a lot at
stake and this was dependent on the success of the newly
formed SADCC, particularly as the economic emancipation of
the countries attending the Summit would have “an epoch-mak-
ing impact within South Africa, and deal a mortal blow to the
policy of apartheid. Our success is important to the people of
South Africa and, therefore, to the liberation of the entire conti-
nent.”
While the objective of launching SADCC was premised on
achieving economic emancipation, Member States did not aban-
don their commitment to political liberation that had shaped the
approach of the Frontline States. Rather, economic emancipation
was a continuation of the same objective, with political liberation
providing a necessary foundation for economic prosperity.
Lessons that the Frontline States had learnt in their quest
for political freedom in Southern Africa would also inform prog-
ress in SADCC. “I have no doubt that we are equally capable of
working together for the economic and social advancement of our
peoples in the same way as we have done in the struggle for political
freedom,” President Khama said, warning that it would be “over-
optimistic to hope for easy and quick successes.”