South Africa signs SADC treaty

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was originally known as the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC). It was formed in 1 April 1980 following the adoption of the Lusaka Declaration, and was premised on closer co-operation between African heads of state. Some of the first SADC members included the states of Mozambique, Lesotho, Angola and Zimbabwe. Due to its policy of apartheid, South Africa was excluded from any talks on economic co-operation amongst African states. Once South Africa had become a democracy, however, it was possible to participate within the southern African community. This participation was confirmed on 28 August 1994, when South Africa signed the SADC treaty and agreed to the aims of SADC, which include the development of common political values, the relief of poverty through economic growth and co-operation and the promotion of peace and security on the African continent. Among the achievements of SADC thus far is the creation of the SADC Programme of Action, in which a number of infrastructural projects have been undertaken to improve transportation and climatic conditions. References: Kalley, J.A.; Schoeman, E. & Andor, L.E. (eds) (1999). Southern African Political History: a chronology of key political events from independence to mid-1997, Westport: Greenwood.  SADC , Southern African Development Community,[online] Available at: actrav.itcilo.org [Accessed: 21 August 2013]