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Polity Audio Articles

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by Polity.org.za

1,015 episodes

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Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.

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Recent Episodes

August 17, 2026

South Africa takes over regional economic bloc as trade falters

South Africa takes over regional economic bloc as trade falters South Africa is taking over leadership of the Southern African Development Community with a push to deepen regional commerce, as the bloc's own assessment shows it faces tepid economic growth, persistent trade barriers and declining industrialisation. Pretoria's ascendancy to the chairmanship of the 16-member bloc this month follows protests against undocumented migrants in South Africa that forced tens of thousands of people, mainly from Zimbabwe and Malawi, to leave the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa sought to address that issue directly before SADC leaders began a summit on Monday, saying South Africa was "deeply concerned and ashamed" that nationals of other countries had recently faced discrimination and ill-treatment. "We cannot preach integration at summits and practice exclusion in our streets," he said. SADC's State of the Region report, scheduled to be adopted at the summit in the eastern port city of Durban on Monday, shows intra-bloc trade remains below pre-pandemic levels, with manufacturing losing ground and growth too weak to meet its job-creation and economic development targets. Intra-regional trade grew to 20% in 2025, according to the report. Nine long-standing non-tariff barriers remain unresolved, while recurring trade disputes, import restrictions and surcharges continue to increase the cost of doing business across borders. Regional growth increased to 3.4% last year and is forecast at 3.9% in 2026. Yet Zimbabwe was the only SADC member to meet its 7% growth target in 2025, and none are projected to reach it this year. Manufacturing's contribution to regional gross domestic product fell to 10.9% in 2025, well short of the bloc's target of 30% by 2030. Remittance Flows South Africa exported $28.3-billion of goods to SADC in 2024 and imported $6.8-billion, data compiled by the Stellenbosch, South Africa-based Trade Law Centre shows. The bloc accounted for 91% of South Africa's intra-African exports, with the country supplying neighbours with industrial goods, machinery, food and consumer products. The imbalance is also reflected in remittances. More than R112-billion was remitted from South Africa to SADC countries between 2016 and 2024, according to South African Reserve Bank data. Remittances to the region rose to R19.3-billion in 2024, with Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi accounting for 90% of payments. Remittance inflows from SADC countries to South Africa totalled R25.6-billion over the period, leaving an R87-billion difference. South Africa's yearlong chairmanship of the bloc will focus on promoting industrialisation, regional value chains and infrastructure, with the government seeking greater processing of critical minerals and agricultural products within the region. The bloc's Regional Development Fund is also expected to feature prominently as SADC seeks to mobilise capital for industrial projects and infrastructure. Its 2026-27 corporate plan calls for implementation of a revised roadmap for the fund.

August 17, 2026

Ramaphosa calls for common market in SADC to develop industries

Ramaphosa calls for common market in SADC to develop industries The 16 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, with a combined population of nearly 400-million people, have abundant natural resources, a youthful population and the means to produce everything that its people need, says South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. SADC needs to create a dynamic common market in which countries trade. No country in the region can build an integrated power system, develop cross-border corridors, manage shared water resources or withstand the full force of climate change on its own. "We need to remove the costs that we have imposed on ourselves, from reducing the price of phone calls and money transfers to reducing waiting times at our borders and harmonising customs procedures. However, this must not be limited to only increasing trade with each other. "We must produce goods and services together. We must assemble cars in one SADC country from parts manufactured in another, using materials produced in a third," he states in a weekly letter to the nation. Southern Africa has abundant energy resources, minerals and land, skills, technology, industrial capabilities and strong financial institutions. However, the region imports much of the goods and services it needs. Trade among SADC countries accounts for only about 20% of their combined total trade. "Our region holds much of the world's critical minerals, yet we export the ore and import the battery. We are supplying an industrial revolution taking place elsewhere and buying back its products at a price set by others," he says. SADC countries must link their economies through corridors of goods, services and industry. The Maputo, North-South, Trans-Kalahari, Beira and Lobito corridors are being developed, but the region needs to do more so that they become living arteries of commerce, carrying freight, electricity, data and people, Ramaphosa says. Further, the region has the Southern African Power Pool, which means that electricity generated in one country powers businesses and lights homes in another. The task now is to widen that pool to ensure all parts of Southern Africa have a reliable supply of affordable energy, he adds. SADC must similarly develop its shared water resources so that every country has the water it needs to supply its industries and its people in a sustainable manner. Meanwhile, SADC needs to invest in infrastructure and industry. However, the region's most precious asset is its people. More than half of SADC's population is under the age of 30. To realise this demographic dividend, SADC must ensure every young person is given the best foundation for success in life. "As a region, we should work together to ensure every child has sufficient food and water, that they have quality healthcare and can access early childhood development. To realise their potential, we need to invest in our schools, universities, technical and vocational colleges and research institutions." These are some of the actions that this SADC Summit will consider as South Africa works to achieve SADC's Vision 2050 for an integrated, productive and prosperous region. South Africa hosted the forty-sixth Summit of SADC, in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, on August 17, starting the country's turn as chair of SADC. South Africa's focus is on the practical steps needed to further integrate the economies of SADC and build a dynamic regional market, which is becoming increasingly important in the context of growing turbulence in the global economy. South Africa's membership of SADC is about the creation of jobs and improving the quality of life of South Africans, growth of its industries, the development of its infrastructure and the health and well-being of its people. "South Africa's prosperity is bound to that of our neighbours. All of us must now turn the enormous potential that our region has into growth, development and jobs," says Ramaphosa.

August 14, 2026

KZN Premier urges SADC to renew commitment to public diplomacy as leaders meet

KZN Premier urges SADC to renew commitment to public diplomacy as leaders meet Ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's public lecture for the 46th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier Thami Ntuli urged proactiveness and adaptiveness to deal with changing economic and geopolitical dynamics. South Africa is hosting heads of State in KwaZulu-Natal, under the theme 'Translating SADC Vision 2050 into Action: Pathways Towards Solidarity, Equality and Shared Prosperity'. The public lecture aims to initiate reflection and public dialogue on practical pathways for advancing regional integration, industrialisation, infrastructure development, peace, security and inclusive development in Southern Africa. Speaking at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, on Friday, Ntuli welcomed delegates by declaring that continental unity is not a slogan but a responsibility. As South Africa faces immigration tensions with fellow African countries, Ntuli urged togetherness through deliberate effort. "…a Summit succeeds not only in what is signed, but in what is understood. Let SADEC gathering in Durban inspire a renewed commitment to public diplomacy – investment in exchange programmes, regional media partnerships, and cultural cooperation. Let our citizens know each other as SADC intended: not as foreigners bound by treaty, but as one people bound by a shared future," he said. He described the Summit as the architecture of shared prosperity and as a catalyst for a working political economy. He said KZN's trade infrastructure was not provincial but regional, highlighting the importance of Durban and Richards Bay in ensuring trade between SADC countries. "We therefore carry a responsibility beyond our provincial borders. Every rand we invest in our ports serves this region. Every improvement to our logistics corridors serves this region. Every partnership we build serves the SADC vision of shared growth," Ntuli said.

1,015 total episodes available

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What is Polity Audio Articles?: Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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