The role played by Southern African Customs Union (SACU) in promoting development within its member states. 1994-2013

Abstract

Regional integration in Southem Africa dates back to the formation of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) on the 29th of June 1910. The Union is regarded as the oldest organisation in Africa. lt was formed, in order to bring meaningful development to its member states. Over the years, until 2004, the organisation was based on an unequal relationship in which outh Africa's hegemonie power in the group benefitted it at the expense of other Southem Africa nation states. This unequal relationship created varied developmental disparities among the members of SACU. Most Southern African Development Community (SADC) states are largely underdeveloped and poverty still persists in many of these states. This research looked at some factors which are responsible for development in the SADC states. The <lawn of a new political dispensation in South Africa signalled the beginning of discussions on the democratisation of SACU as an organisation in the 20th and 21st century. Thus, over the years, since 1994, ACU has witnessed a lot of structural and hierarchical changes which have positioned it as a leader of economie integration and prosperity in Southern Africa. The study focu ed on the need to examine the role of SACU in promoting development among its member tates. The study used qualitative methodology approaches to collect data. To operationalise the data collection exercise, the research utilised purposive sampling to select participants with knowledge to the topic under review. The data was analysed using the thematic method of data analysis.