M.Comm. / This study uses annual data for five SACU members over the period 1991-2005 to investigate the evidence for convergence in macroeconomic variables. Panel unit root test as an econometric tool is utilised together with other several approaches for this analysis. The results show significant evidence that the SACU countries have reached a reasonable level of convergence on specific macroeconomic variables. This can be attributed to common economic policies and institutional features. It is also evident that the countries that are members of the CMA show a dramatically higher convergence rate. As far as monetary policy is concerned, a high degree of convergence has been achieved in SACU. However, the results show no convergence on fiscal policies. This could be attributed to data constraint on debt to GDP which was used as a proxy for fiscal policy.

Thesis (M.M. (Security))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Public and Development Management, 2016 / This study seeks to interrogate how regional institutions in Africa construct their foreign policies. States are faced with a continuously evolving global structure and as a result face complex challenges that require the collaboration of collective efforts to resolve. In order to overcome such challenges states are tasked with the challenge that involves finding ways to amalgamate their policy frameworks. This is a serious challenge, but one that states must overcome if they are to find effective solutions to growing global challenges. What this research has endeavoured to achieve is show exactly how the task of forging collective or common foreign policy is achieved and what institutions are best suited to help African regions achieve their goals of a common foreign policy. To this end, the study uses qualitative design and employs document and content analysis, focusing on the structure and history of the two organisations (ECOWAS and SADC). It then looks at the three foreign policy approaches (climate change, terrorism, and maritime security), comparing the coordination of each and seeking out what works in terms of finding and/ or building of the necessary institutions in order to gauge the cohesion of the regional organisations given different contexts. The adherence to sovereignty by member states has proven once again to be an impediment where collaboration particularly of the supranational nature is concerned. What this study has endeavoured to do is to show that despite an adherence to sovereignty certain goals can be achieved. While the adherence to sovereignty is deemed a constraint towards cohesive regionalisation, this study finds that the issue is not necessarily an adherence to sovereignty, but the imposition of unrealistic or misplaced targets such as the vision of the two African sub-regions to acquire supranational institutions. For the most part, the findings were that African regionalism continues to evolve as intergovernmental organisations. Using Brosig’s (2013) typology of convergence This study has not only shed light into what works as a framework for achieving set goals and targets, but it has also shed light into the different types of arrangements that can be achieved given different contexts. This study hopes to add value to the understanding of the African regional society and how it makes and implements its decisions, The hope is that this also sheds light into understanding reasons behind policy failures and their successes thereof. / GR2018

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witvvatersrand, for the degree of Master of Arts. / Research for this thesis began in the anticipation of the SADCC's tenth anniversary. It proved to be an opportune moment to assess the organisation's achievements and to re-examine its goals. ln February 1990, F W de Klerk formally initiated a policy of domestic reforms that was to see South Africa re-accepted Into international society. At the same time the Southern Africa region was for a variety of reasons undergoing political and economic upheaval. Speculation about joint ventures between the re-admitted South African state and the SADCC became increasingly popular amongst political commentators. South African businesses, stifled by years of isolation, began to view the region as a lucrative market; and the SADCC, sensing approaching stagnation and a loss of initiative, proposed a restructuring of the organisation. The new organisation, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) was formally launched in August 1992. It has not been given the same adulation as that accorded to its predeqessor, and in many respects is viewed with the same scepticism as other regional organisations in the developing world. / Andrew Chakane 2018

The main goal of this research is to investigate whether foreign exchange transacting costs are an impediment to intra-regional trading within the Southern African Development Community SADC region. The research question posed has been whether foreign exchange trading costs affect the amount of intra-regional trading within the SADC region. Once the impediments relating to regional trading have been broken down and the cost effect on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises SMMEs is established, then possible solutions are proposed. The research discovers that the cost of foreign exchange has an impact on intra-regional trading, but it is not the main hindrance to intra-regional trading in the SADC. It also discovers that the settlement risk of a foreign exchange transaction in the region has not yet been addressed to the same or similar extent as in the developed world. The extent of trading partners’ currency volatility is a function of the amount of trade between those trading partners. The SADC countries’ currency pairs volatility can be reduced by increased trade. Having said that, businesses need to plan and high levels of volatility tend to be disruptive. This is now the area where it is suggested that central banks within the region should actively participate in foreign exchange markets. Central banks should be the facilitator or price-maker of last resort in cases of lack of liquidity of local or foreign currencies. The research suggests that they should play a role in ensuring or reducing the amount of rapid currency spikes that lead to disorderly markets. The research also discovers that SMMEs are a core part of the economies of developing countries, and therefore a serious look at this sector of the economy is suggested. Mobile communication networks, like cell phones, are the current accessible and preferred communications tool among the geographical regions and areas that are hard to reach. Cell phones have also doubled as a form of payment among rural, African countries. The research suggests leeching on the current cell phone iii banking platforms to enable better foreign exchange reach to SMMEs and the general public. It suggests interlinking relationships between banks and cell phone networks, where the cell phone companies facilitate the accessibility and the banks’ liquidity. The report takes cognisance of the fact that, inasmuch as the countries in SADC are geographically close to each other, their political, economic and social dynamics can be wildly different. This would therefore mean that the proposed solutions are not necessarily a one-size-fits-all, but could be adjusted and tweaked to suit individual country dynamics.

Student No. 0107750D M.Sc(Med) Research Report / The prescription habits of general practitioners are continually under the scrutiny of ethical critics. There are numerous factors that influence a practitioner’s decision as to which antihypertensive agents to prescribe for the treatment of hypertension. As outlined in various international and national guidelines for the management of hypertension, the recommended treatment depends on ethnicity, current life-style, diet, smoking, age, gender, family history and possible underlying or secondary conditions such as diabetes mellitus, heart failure, isolated systolic hypertension, myocardial infarction, pregnancy, and evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke or peripheral vascular disease. Currently the control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension is far from optimal with over 70% of hypertensive patients being reported as having imperfect control. A number of factors related to the patient, the practitioner or the medication may explain the high incidence of inadequate blood pressure control. One possible explanation for the poor control of blood pressure may be that practitioners fail to comply with the guidelines. Hence the aim of my study was firstly to determine whether a practitioner’s decision as to which medication to prescribe in the treatment of hypertension is influenced by the Southern African Hypertension Society Guidelines. Secondly, in an attempt to assess the validity of the results of the primary analysis, the actual prescription habits (MediCross® database) were assessed and compared to the general practitioner’s recall of their prescription habits. Questionnaires were distributed to 320 MediCross® practitioners and prescription habits were identified and substantiated by the screening of an existing MediCross® database. I chose as my sample MediCross® general practitioners, as they are demographically representative of all major urban areas in South Africa; likely to be open-minded to supporting research and answering questionnaires (as MediCross® is part of a Clinical Research Site Management Organisation); and I had access to the database of the prescriptions made by MediCross® practitioners hence enabling me to fulfil my second objective. However, it must be kept in mind that these practitioners are representative of general practitioners in urban areas only (as the title of my research report indicates). My results show that 33.1% adhere to the guidelines (when a non-conservative definition of diuretics is used); 27% have heard of the guidelines and have a copy of them. When asked to give their own opinion however, 39% thought they adhered to the guidelines. The results also show that ACE inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed drug class for uncomplicated hypertension but a comparison to a MediCross® database, of which the quality is questionable, does not support this. As the response rate to the questionnaires was only 24.7%, these results are only a pilot study; however they suggest that few general practitioners use the guidelines or even have a copy of the guidelines. This pilot study suggests that the guidelines need to be distributed more widely. Furthermore the general practitioners that responded to the questionnaire indicated that the management of hypertension is difficult in that there is no single treatment regimen appropriate for all populations and each different patient. It was also their view that clinical guidelines for the management of hypertension should more accurately reflect the uncertainty of when to initiate treatment and individual variation if they are going to take these guidelines seriously and comply with them.

Student Number : 0215507F - PhD thesis - School of Mining Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / The minerals sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is considered to be the basis of economic reconstruction and development. After several decades of mineral extraction, SADC member States are still grappling with how the sector can contribute to the broader economy and achieve sustainable development. The sector has the potential to fulfill these national aspirations if appropriate policies are developed. In the context of the SADC, the thesis argues that since most of the population is rural-based, strategies for meaningful mineral development must take into account the concerns of these people. Policy defines a vision and aspiration, and articulates what a nation wishes to do with its mineral resources. The process of policy development is therefore crucial to ensure that the concerns of several stakeholders are considered and consensus is reached on actions to be taken for beneficial mineral extraction. The thesis shows a process of mineral policy development that result in the identification of key areas of emphasis to address concerns of the majority of the population in a country. The process has been applied in the development of mineral policies in Namibia and Malawi during this study. The outcomes address broad and specific social, economic and environmental issues that are consistent with sustainable development. Since the SADC countries have similar problems and opportunities, once all States have articulated minerals policies using this process, a regional approach or policy can be derived. This study illustrates such a policy framework.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Economics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

<p>This research paper aims to understand and analyse the CISG, its history, scope and structure, and to evaluate its impact on SADC.The main ideas that this paper will consider are: what is the CISG / &nbsp / Its history, scope and structure / &nbsp / Its impact on developing countries / &nbsp / Its relevance to developing countries within SADC / and How the implementation of the CISG improved these developing countries within SADC.</p>

<p>This essay deals with the topic of regional integration in Africa. Using the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as an example, it seeks to answer the question what constitutes a successful region organisation. To do this a number of criteria defining success were developed and subsequently applied to the SADC, the main one beeing the organisations ability to adapt to change. In order to be able to show whether and how the SADC has reacted to and accommodated changes, the analysis was built around a description of the historical evolution of the SADC(C). The changes made by the SADC (political structure, membership, goals) have been summarised and assessed. Special attention was paid to the (potential) problems identified by Winfried Lang (1982).</p><p>Guided by the thoughts of Winfried Lang and the criteria used in this essay defining what constitutes a successful regional organisation, we find that the Southern African Development Community is rather successful. The SADCC seems to have created a good basis for integration, and the organisation has proven ist ability to adapt to changes, even if they are as all-embracing as the end of the apartheid regime in the RSA and the subsequent membership of the former opponent. One can thus suppose that the SADC could, if necessary, accomodate changed circumstances again, and is thus unlikely to become one of the many failed regional organisations in Africa.</p><p> </p>

Zugl.: Bochum, Univ., Diss., 2009