| Oratile Mmualefe, a
pupil at Naledi Secondary School, Botswana, gives her scenario of SADC in the next
millennium in this essay which won her a regional competition contested by pupils from
SADC countries. The essay competition was open to children of school-going age in SADC.
She and her two runners-up are expected to be announced officially on 17 August in Maputo,
Mozambique. NB The essay was edited for space only. SADC
comprises 14 independent countries. Its main target is to mould these countries into a
closely-knit community with peace, progress and prosperity. However, this aim has not been
fully accomplished since its introduction. The next millennium offers hope for these three
[peace progress and prosperity] to be attained. This however depends on what people in the
SADC region are prepared to do, when they will commence and who will be involved.
“... diplomats should be thoroughly
checked and be
very trustworthy.”
Peace and tranquility are the foundation of stability. There
are several ways in which SADC can bring peace in the next millennium. These include
forming a peace organisation, collective security, communication and trade, disarmament
and diplomacy…
The [peace] organisation will have to consist of representatives
from all the 14 countries. The representatives should have law qualifications, be honest
and even trustworthy. The function of this organisation will be to resolve quarrels
between countries in the region… Examples of such organisations are found worldwide.
One particular example is the United Nations. Namibia and Botswana had a conflict over the
Sedudu Island. This was taken abroad and investigations by the international court are
still on.
Collective security is also very helpful in the SADC region for
peace. This involves cooperation from all the SADC members. Just like a community, we
should protect each other…When one of the SADC members is attacked by an outsider,
other members should be prepared to help in order to discourage the attacks…
Situations like the recent one in Lesotho can be handled only if members help. Botswana
and South Africa ran to Lesotho to lend a helping hand when Lesotho’s government
nearly collapsed. |
Trade and communications in
SADC can be improved for better results. These bring people closer to each other as
relations are improved. They get a chance to know each other well and a strong bond of
friendship is formed. … There should be disarmament in
the SADC region. This means reduction of military forces and the number of weapons. The
availability of war weapons will prompt people to make use of them. It is therefore a good
idea to stop producing them and using the money for something worthwhile…
Diplomacy must prevail in the SADC region as one of the efforts to
bring peace. This refers to the work of managing relationships between countries. As it
has always been the case, ambassadors are sent to represent one country in many others.
This can also be found in the SADC region but diplomats should be thoroughly checked and
be very trustworthy.…
Progress refers to the process of getting better at doing
something. In this case, SADC will be aiming at improving the living standard of its
people. Measures needed to be taken by SADC members are improving education in each
country, technology and ideas sharing, encouraging investors from abroad, discouraging
income inequalities in different areas and the true meaning of independence should be
practised.
Technology and ideas should be shared among SADC countries. There
are a lot of geniuses in this region but the problem is they are not given a chance to
come out in the open. Scientific ideas should be discussed and solutions to problems
found. Recently there has been a lot of talks, which are infact true, that most of the
countries affected by AIDS are found in the SADC region. Scientists have tried to find
solution to these kinds of incurable diseases but this needs a lot of money, which SADC as
a whole should provide for experts… to use.
For more progress, investors from abroad the SADC region should be
encouraged… Most SADC countries are small and unnoticed and therefore advertisement
can help to bring in investors who will help in the countries’ development through
creating jobs… |
Most countries in the SADC
region depend on imports to feed their nations. However, this is a disadvantage in efforts
for progress. Large amounts of money are spent on food, which could easily be produced
locally. Agriculture must be encouraged in SADC… For
success… SADC needs capable leaders… People should work together and improve
what is already being done.
Democracy should prevail in all countries. Presidents should be people who are responsible
and ready to work for their nations. They should be able to handle the economies of their
countries. In this way, success will be attained.
Law should be very tight in all these countries. Criminals should
be given severe sentences… Nepotism and corruption can also be the reasons for the
downfall of most countries in the SADC region. Very strict laws and policies should be put
in place. …
“Democracy should
prevail in all countries.”
Most countries in the SADC region have large mineral
deposits. This could bring prosperity only if certain measures are taken. The minerals
found in this region are useless unless processed. They are therefore transported abroad
where big machines are found. What is stopping the SADC countries from making their own
machines?
While we join hands in SADC and work for the best results, we
should always keep in mind that the changes we will be bringing in the next millennium
will even bring more brighter changes just as we know, change of thoughts brings change of
behaviour, change of behaviour brings change of habits, change of habits brings change of
personality, while change of personality brings change in one’s destiny. What is
SADC’ destiny? To attain peace, progress and prosperity.
Mixed reactions to SA-EU trade
The SADC trade protocol & gender:
What are the connections?
Landmines hinder development in southern
Africa |