The undersigned certifies that he has read and recommends to the Midlands State University for acceptance a dissertation entitled:

Abstract

There has been general consensus that regional integration is the way forward for

underdeveloped countries and in particular those in Southern Africa. While it is true that regional

integration is the solution to some if not many of the problems being faced by these countries as

seen from successful integration initiatives in Europe for example the European Union (EU),

very few scholars focus on the challenges of regionalism and regional integration in Southern

Africa. The study focuses on the challenges of regionalism and regional integration in Southern

Africa. The challenges focused on by this study include both with achieving regionalism and

regional integration in Southern Africa and those challenges which might be faced if deeper

integration is eventually achieved in the region. The study also focuses on the role of SADC as

far as regional integration is concerned in the region. This study also traces the formation of

SADCC and its subsequent transformation to SADC so as to carter for new developments such

as economic integration. The study also traces the beginning of regionalism and regional

integration in southern Africa. Besides tracing the origins of regionalism and regional integration

in Africa the study also gives the current position of regional integration in Southern Africa and

what it intends to achieve in the future. The study also examines the current challenges being

faced by SADC to achieve deeper regional integration such as the issue of rules of origin and

infrastructure.Besides being guided by the integration theory and other theories the study also

made use of secondary sources by comparing and analyzing data. Apart from these the study was

also informed by questionnaires. The research purpose was to highlight and examine the

challenges to regionalism and regional integration in Africa using SADC as a case study.