Confronting the region: a profile of southern Africa

Abstract

Mindful of the future economic and social sustainability of the region, as well as the subcontinent's future in terms of the African Renaissance, this profile provides an understanding of the main developmental and institutional challenges that confront the region. The authors highlight the political, economic and social conditions in the region, and identify common trends. Profiling the current opportunities and challenges that could strengthen or reverse regional integration, the paper reviews the progress made in the promotion of greater regional integration; and investigates the extent to which member states adopt a regional identity.