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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Primer to southern Africa: a note
Author:Sahu, Manendra V.ISNI
Year:1997
Periodical:African Currents
Volume:12
Issue:23-24
Pages:73-98
Language:English
Geographic term:Southern Africa
Subjects:development
politics
Abstract:The end of apartheid in South Africa is bringing real change to the southern African region. South Africa has for the first time accepted small neighbouring countries as partners in development and its neighbours now see South Africa as a friend rather than a common enemy. This overview article describes the colonial experience of the region, marked by apartheid and British and Portuguese colonialism; its geography and population; salient features of the economy, such as the overwhelming mineral base, the high degree of interdependence among the southern African States and the dominant position of South Africa; agriculture; natural resources; industry; infrastructure; and regional organization. It looks at the politics of the region, noting that southern Africa has a comparatively better record in the functioning of democracy than the rest of Africa. However, politics are dominated by the ethnic factor, there is a wide gap between the mass and the elite, and violence has become an integral part of the political culture. Finally, the article considers southern Africa's strategic importance as a result of its location on the Cape route, its proximity to Antarctica, and its mineral resources, including large, as yet unexploited reserves in the rich exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Notes, ref.
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