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1.3.3 SADCC Strategies and Decisions
The achievement of democratic governance in Namibia (1990) and South Africa (1994)
marked a shift in focus to economic development and regional integration. This political
independence had been achieved through direct support from the member states who
provided both material support and safe haven in their countries and diplomatic support
in lobbying the international community to take resolute action to stop South African
aggression, and dismantle apartheid.
The founding leaders regarded SADCC as a tool and a process leading to the co-
ordination of efforts and stimulation of economic growth in the whole of southern Af-
rica. Hence a platform to fight for economic advancement, reduce dependency on
South Africa and safeguard political freedom.
In creating sustainable economies, the SADCC summit of 1981 in Zimbabwe
noted the ratification by members of the Convention for the Southern African Trans-
port and Communications Commission (SATCC). The Commission was charged with
responsibility of facilitating co-ordination among SADCC Member States in the run-
ning of region’s transport systems. This was a vital step in ensuring the advancement
of efficient and fully integrated infrastructure operations in the region.
SADCC established national hubs known as sector coordination units, and
Member States had responsibility for hosting and coordinating different sectors, such
as agricultural research, energy and industries depending on their comparative advan-
tage in the sectors in a bid to achieve food security, development of communications
and transport infrastructure and ultimately do away with dependency. 19
The establishment of SADCC gave the member states a platform to arrange and
manage regional development in a coordinated manner, together, on the basis of mutual
benefit for a shared future. The second Summit also approved the establishment of a
Secretariat which would prepare meetings and plans, and ensure continuity in SADCC
deliberations. The Secretariat was established in Gaborone, Botswana, in 1982 with
the responsibility of overseeing the development and implementation of various re-
gional projects.
Annual consultative conferences were held for coordination with funding agencies,
and the SADCC approach to regional cooperation was projects-based, to address na-
tional concerns through regional action, with Member States retaining responsibility
for managing the projects in a decentralized structure. Region-wide discussion was
stimulated through the presentation of forward-looking theme documents and the sec-
retariat coordinated regional positions on issues of major concern to members.
SADCC achieved solidarity, peace and security in the region in face of apartheid’s
economic and military might, and strengthened existing historical relations among the
member states toward sustainable peace and mutual security. A significant challenge
that is still being addressed is the complexity of creating a self-sustainable regional econ-
omy due to the divisive nature of the legacy of colonial boundaries.
As progress was made, it became necessary to situate the project-based coordina-
tion within sector-specific frameworks and strategies linking the objectives of the Lusaka
Declaration with specific activities at regional and national levels as a basis for priorit-
isation and evaluation. “The sector coordination approach underscored the need to
build collective self-reliance, mutual trust and confidence, and it was on this basis that
the organization evolved over the years”.