Maize is the most grown staple crop in Africa, and white maize is of particular importance because it is the dominant staple food particularly throughout southern Africa to the extent that maize shortages lead to food security emergencies. These emergencies are compounded by SADC’s limited ability to respond to production and supply shocks. In response to these shocks, SADC countries supplement local maize production with trade and food aid leading to a robust regional white maize market. In an attempt to bolster trade SADC member states sign substantial regional arrangements, with similar objectives and common participants all in the hope of strengthening trade and with it maize trade. This study seeks to find means to improve intra-SADC maize trade relations, through defining the determinants for intra-regional maize trade, and determine if SADC members’ sub-regional groupings have an effect on maize trade. The study makes use of a gravity model to estimate the value of trade; specifically a Tobit model with random effects by Maximum Likelihood Estimation. The partner country population was found to have a positive effect (0.749) on maize trade at 5% level of significance. This suggests that countries that have greater populations and consequently larger market sizes for the regional staple maize tend to trade more. Maize aid distribution was found to be a statistically significant determinant of intra-regional maize trade to the extent that it encourages regional maize trade. Transport infrastructure was also found to positively influence intra-SADC maize trade, as infrastructure transportation systems are critical for the purposes of moving goods and labour to facilitate production and trade. The premise that bilateral maize trade between any two countries is negatively related to the relative importance of economic relationships between the reporter country and the partner countries that are located far away, as opposed to those located nearby, is supported by the negative impact distance has on maize trade (-1.670 significant at 10% level), while the propensity to trade increases if the two trading countries share a common border. The net grain position of member states influences intra-SADC maize trade as shown by the statistically significant positive relationship between trade and a net grain deficit position, suggesting that SADC member states are likely to engage in intra-SADC trade should they find themselves in a deficit trade position presumably from the nearest most accessible surplus state. Sub-regional groups SACU and COMESA were found to have no influence on maize trade. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Mozambique has inherited from colonialism a backward agricultural sector based mainly in plantations of export crops, dominated by white settlers and a handful of foreign companies. Production of food crops, especially maize (which constitutes the main cereal food for the population), was mainly undertaken by the traditional agricultural sector. Combined events, from central planning of production to war and natural disasters, have made unsuccessful the governmental objectives of modernising the agricultural sector and making it more productive, in order to ensure a normal food supply, leading to a permanent situation of food shortage. The "free market" economy introduced in 1987 under the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), brought very little progress in terms of food crop production, leaving the country reliant on continued foreign food aid and imports. Recent studies of problems of low agricultural output in general and on the SAP performance in particular, have shown that the private sector, which is benefiting from SAP's investments, is biased towards cash crop production. The traditional agricultural sector, the biggest food producer in Mozambique, is facing integration problems into the new "free market" economy. This study has attempted to clarify the problems, which lie behind the difficulties in market integration of this sector of national agriculture. This is of particular importance, especially in this crucial moment of the ongoing regional food security project, within Southern African Development Community. The study has produced evidence of a lack of appropriate incentives within the traditional agricultural sector under SAP, mainly with regard to the marketing network and buyer of last resort in case of market failure. This includes absence of road facilities, rural shops and respective goods and commodities of interest to the peasantry. The study showed also that it is important to regulate commercialisation of food aid and food import, to ease the market for food crops locally produced. This could enable a gradual integration of rural markets. Conscious that the lack of the above-mentioned incentives may not be the only explanation for the persisting food shortage, I therefore suggest further research on the topic on appropriate incentives for the traditional agricultural sector, given its fragility and vulnerability within the free market economy.

Telecommunications development in southern Africa is encouraged by economic opportunity, government-level support (such as the Southern African Development Corporation, or SADC) and market trends (de-monopolisation and market liberalisation). Various markets in the SADC region offer telecommunications operators solid growth potential and the advantages of geographic diversification. Operators entering the new markets will generally do so in the mode of partnerships, alliances or Greenfield operations. However, the context in which they function, independent of the mode of entrance, will tend to be defined by the telecommunications and ICT industry; that is, within an interoperator environment. “Interoperator” is referred to in a broad sense, i.e. enterprise interaction between operators / service providers and across the value chain. The existence of interoperator relationships is thus taken as an assumption. A carefully managed network rollout and technological evolution plan is required together with critical market and business considerations to succeed with expansion into SADC markets. This paper presents a logical methodology for telecoms operators (mobile or fixed) to guide network development and formulate strategy particular to the SADC deployment area. A proposed development framework gives structure and organisation to the various aspects – business requirements, technology choices and market decisions – of a telecoms business in Southern Africa. The total model consists of 4 associated representations which fit logically in an enabling framework. Central to the framework is a technology decision methodology, guiding the technological evolution toward a Next Generation Network (NGN) services core whilst preserving existing investment, smoothing interoperation of elements and legacy technologies and subordinating decisions to business needs. Alignment of services and products to the business plan and that of the customer needs is also addressed through the “considerations and applications” and “customer visibility circle” representations. The regulatory environment, licence stipulations and interconnect agreements are important inputs to the framework. The output is the formulation of a high-level strategy roadmap, and evaluation and feedback methodology. The realisation of a clear, defined roadmap through which telecommunications development in the SADC can be guided provides telecommunications operators with a high-level framework that structures, orders and orientates all necessary elements with long-term goals and business requirements. / Dissertation (MEng (Technology Management))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Graduate School of Technology Management (GSTM) / unrestricted

No description available.

This dissertation analyses and appraises factors that lead SADCC/SADC to restructure in 1992 and in 1999 respectively. Regime theory is used as an analytical tool of these factors throughout this study. The restructuring of regional organisation in the world is often associated with a decision that is taken by regional leaders, only to hide failures of these organisations to deliver. Studies of this phenomenon, however, frequently fail to research the underlying causes. In the case of SADCC/SADC, apart from the fact that the organisation failed to achieve its intended objectives, such as regional integration, economic independence, regional security, and more, this study argues that there were a lot of elements that influenced the pace and the operations of SADCC/C in achieving regional integration and other objectives. The basic debate in this study thus revolves around the fact that the restructuring exercise in SADCC/SADC was a result of many factors and this argument is supported by the regime theory. / Political Science / M.A. (Political Science)

This dissertation analyses and appraises factors that lead SADCC/SADC to restructure in 1992 and in 1999 respectively. Regime theory is used as an analytical tool of these factors throughout this study. The restructuring of regional organisation in the world is often associated with a decision that is taken by regional leaders, only to hide failures of these organisations to deliver. Studies of this phenomenon, however, frequently fail to research the underlying causes. In the case of SADCC/SADC, apart from the fact that the organisation failed to achieve its intended objectives, such as regional integration, economic independence, regional security, and more, this study argues that there were a lot of elements that influenced the pace and the operations of SADCC/C in achieving regional integration and other objectives. The basic debate in this study thus revolves around the fact that the restructuring exercise in SADCC/SADC was a result of many factors and this argument is supported by the regime theory. / Political Science / M.A. (Political Science)

This study discusses the case of modernising the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional payments system facilitated by the SADC Payment System Project. The long-term objective is to have harmonised cross-border and inter-bank settlement systems to facilitate the economic activity such as supporting the flow of trade within the SADC region. The SADC Payment System Project purports to have adopted a strategic management process to achieve its mandate. The modernisation process is in line with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). The aim of the RISDP is to provide strategic direction with respect to various SADC programmes and activities and to align the strategic objectives and priorities of SADC with the policies and strategies for achieving its long-term goals. The concept of payment, clearing and settlement system is explained to provide the context within which the national payment system fits in the economic system and its role towards economic development. The first objective of the study is to discuss the strategic management process. The objective of the discussion is to reflect how the strategic management theoretical constructs were translated into practice. The second objective of the study is to explore the environmental and country internal factors that are likely to impact on and delay the fully harmonised regional cross-border and inter-bank settlement systems. Although not exhaustive, the identified factors include; - The structural arrangements of country- specific teams that support the modernisation initiatives, - The availability of skills and capacity to harness the implemented systems within each member country in the SADC region. iii - The influence of foreign fund donors, as a result of a possible duplication of efforts, - The repair state of power supply and communication networks, - The supporting legal and regulatory regimes, - The forms of economic systems, - The influence and the extent of trade flows with the SADC region, and - The resilience banking networks in the facilitation of financial information flows within each member country and externally (internationally). The target population of central bank officials who also take an active role in the modernisation of SADC regional payments systems were requested to provide feedback on the prepared questionnaire to address the above factors. The responses provided are summarised in Chapter 5. It was clear from the responses that the identified factors appeared to pose little challenge for respective member countries. However, additional comments by respondents indicated that there is still a lot of groundwork to be covered. There was an evidence of the need for on-going training in payment systems and to improve communication networks and power supply within each member country, especially on the remote country areas/rural areas. Some members also hinted a warning on developing systems, which would have a potential to become white elephants if other sectors are not developed in parallel to the regional payment systems. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / M.B.L.

This study discusses the case of modernising the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional payments system facilitated by the SADC Payment System Project. The long-term objective is to have harmonised cross-border and inter-bank settlement systems to facilitate the economic activity such as supporting the flow of trade within the SADC region. The SADC Payment System Project purports to have adopted a strategic management process to achieve its mandate. The modernisation process is in line with the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). The aim of the RISDP is to provide strategic direction with respect to various SADC programmes and activities and to align the strategic objectives and priorities of SADC with the policies and strategies for achieving its long-term goals. The concept of payment, clearing and settlement system is explained to provide the context within which the national payment system fits in the economic system and its role towards economic development. The first objective of the study is to discuss the strategic management process. The objective of the discussion is to reflect how the strategic management theoretical constructs were translated into practice. The second objective of the study is to explore the environmental and country internal factors that are likely to impact on and delay the fully harmonised regional cross-border and inter-bank settlement systems. Although not exhaustive, the identified factors include; - The structural arrangements of country- specific teams that support the modernisation initiatives, - The availability of skills and capacity to harness the implemented systems within each member country in the SADC region. iii - The influence of foreign fund donors, as a result of a possible duplication of efforts, - The repair state of power supply and communication networks, - The supporting legal and regulatory regimes, - The forms of economic systems, - The influence and the extent of trade flows with the SADC region, and - The resilience banking networks in the facilitation of financial information flows within each member country and externally (internationally). The target population of central bank officials who also take an active role in the modernisation of SADC regional payments systems were requested to provide feedback on the prepared questionnaire to address the above factors. The responses provided are summarised in Chapter 5. It was clear from the responses that the identified factors appeared to pose little challenge for respective member countries. However, additional comments by respondents indicated that there is still a lot of groundwork to be covered. There was an evidence of the need for on-going training in payment systems and to improve communication networks and power supply within each member country, especially on the remote country areas/rural areas. Some members also hinted a warning on developing systems, which would have a potential to become white elephants if other sectors are not developed in parallel to the regional payment systems. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / M.B.L.

<p>The EPA&rsquo / s will have an impact on regional integration in Africa, especially in the SADC region. The region has been split between the SADC and ESA EPA configuration therefore impacting on regional integration objectives set out under the SADC Trade Protocol.The EPA&rsquo / s will be concluded separately with six of the sub groupings under the ACP grouping. With the EU-SADC EPA negotiations has come a problem of overlapping of membership of the different regions which has created confusion and conflicts. Members of Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC) did not all enter into the EU-SADC EPA has one. The EU-SADC EPA configuration consists of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania. The rest of the SADC member states are negotiating with the EU-ESA configuration. With South Africa having been allowed into the negotiations, its role should be examined and what it can contribute to the negotiations. Another conflict that has been created is the fact that South Africa has its own bilateral agreement with the EU thus putting stain on the trade relationship between South African and the rest of the SADC countries.</p>

<p>The general objective of the proposed research is to do a needs analysis for the tourism and hospitality industries of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland. This will be followed by an alignment of these industries with the provisions of the General Agreement of Trade in Services, commonly known as GATS, so that a Tourism and Hospitality Services Charter may be moulded that may be used uniformly throughout SACU. The specific objectives of the research are: To analyze impact assessment reports and studies conducted on the Tourism and Hospitality Industries for all five SACU member states with the aim of harmonizing standards, costs and border procedures. To ecognize SACU member states&rsquo / schedule of GATS Commitments, especially in the service sectors being investigated, by improving market access, and to recommend minimal infrastructural development levels to be attained for such sectors&rsquo / support. To make recommendations to harness the challenges faced by the said industries into a working document. To calibrate a uniformity of trade standards in these sectors that shall be used by the SACU membership. To ensure that the template is flexible enough for SACU to easily adopt and use in ongoing bilateral negotiations, for example.</p>