Towards a Post Apartheid Future

In the l980s was a period of turmoil and economic regression for most of the countries of southern Africa. However, the 1990s dawned with more optimism prevalent than for many years. Namibian independence, peace initiatives in Angola and Mozambique, and the moves by the South African government to unban various political organizations (notably the African National Conference) and release political prisoners (notably Nelson Mandela) provided new hopes for an end to long-standing political instability in the region. This book analyzes the political process both in South Africa and the Southern Africa Development Coordination Conference (S.A.D.C.C.) countries. The importance of parliamentary and extraparliamentary politics in South Africa is discussed, and political change in that country is related to the regional and international environments. The book assesses the likely trends and notes the pitfalls. Economic development in the region will be influenced by the politics, and the book analyzes the economic performance of South Africa and the S.A.D.C.C. countries, problems of economic growth, development strategies, trade and other ties, and prospects for closer cooperation.