“Westerners tend to assume that the newly independent states of Africa are somehow, morally bound to make economic development their first and foremost priority. However, to Africans, no less than to other people, independence means to be master of their own destiny. In the Southern African context, the issue of self-determination versus economic development poses itself even more, distinctly than in the
rest of Africa because here the contrast between the size and strength of South Africans modern economy on the one hand and that of the economies of neighbouring Black States on the other is particularly great. And whereas the smallness of these economies suggests the need for closer economic union both political considerations and the vast economic “distance” between South Africa and its neighbours pose obstacles to such union.
This is the background against which the economic problems and policies of five nearby Black States will be examined. These states are Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi and Zambia. Our discussion will fall under three main headings: Firstly, broad policies of development; secondly, specific aspects of development policies; and thirdly, an attempt is made to draw a few conclusions regarding the possible future course of events as well as the implications for South Africa.”
