Southern African Development Community

The 2024 oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaign in Namibia’s Zambezi region aimed to address persistent rabies transmission through a large-scale effort combining direct dog vaccination and owner-assisted distribution. A total of 9,393 baits were distributed, and the campaign demonstrated feasibility and operational efficiency, achieving an estimated vaccination coverage of 47.9% of dogs in just four days, increasing to 56.8% when accounting for prior parenteral vaccination efforts. Spatial analysis revealed an average vaccination coverage of 60% across 10 × 10 km grid cells, and encompassed 81% of the human population of the Zambezi region within the vaccination coverage area. Post-vaccination surveys indicated a rise in vaccination rates (54.5% of dogs vaccinated, up from 18.9%) and lower presence of rabies. Improved education and awareness campaigns, targeted interventions in low-coverage areas, and enhanced surveillance are recommended to further reduce rabies incidence. The findings highlight the promise and proficiency of ORV campaigns in resource-constrained settings and demonstrate that its application can be key for sustained rabies control efforts in Namibia.

The Trump administration signalled a shift toward protectionism in U.S. trade policy, imposing tariffs on imports from both strategic partners and competitors, which generated renewed uncertainty in international trade relations and the future of existing frameworks such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). Earlier analysis has shown that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the United States can be trade-creating and lead to improved macroeconomic outcomes in SACU countries. However, these positive effects decline over time, with varying impacts across different industries, influenced by initial tariff levels and export orientation relative to the US. This paper examines whether there are economic and strategic incentives for SACU to negotiate a more beneficial agreement than a simple across-the-board elimination of ad valorem import tariffs. Using a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the paper examines the outcomes if cereals, poultry, dairy products, red meat, and sugar products—often classified as sensitive due to their labour intensity, food security implications, and exposure to import competition—were to retain some level of protection under a SACU–US Free Trade Agreement. The results suggest that while the FTA boosts key macroeconomic indicators in the short run, gains taper off over time. Crucially, real wages and employment remain stagnant, and terms of trade deteriorate, raising questions about the inclusivity and sustainability of such a deal. Shielding vulnerable sectors initially enhances SACU’s exports and supports some industry growth, particularly in agriculture. However, without broader reforms and export diversification, long-term competitiveness remains weak. A nuanced FTA design, combined with structural support policies, is essential to unlock lasting and inclusive trade benefits.

The Herding for Health (H4H) model integrates ecosystem restoration with improved livestock management to address rangeland degradation, livestock losses, and market constraints in pastoral communities. This four-year case study evaluates the implementation of H4H in Eretsha, Botswana, where annual cattle losses exceeded 30%, primarily due to predation, disease, straying and unknown causes. Compared to free-roaming (FR) systems, H4H significantly reduced overall herd losses to 11% vs 32% in FR, primarily mitigating predation (1.6% vs 8.1%), disease (2.7% vs 7.9%), and other husbandry-related losses. Despite FR producing more calves (214 vs 161 in H4H), H4H retained a slightly larger net herd size (739 vs 727) and generated substantially higher revenue (US$30 780 vs US$4 574.64). Rangeland assessments showed increased herbaceous biomass and ecological value in planned grazing areas (F(2,21) = 20.4, p < 0.001). Biomass peaked in abandoned corrals, but veld condition was highest in grazed plots due to palatable perennials. While H4H offers clear ecological and economic advantages, limitations such as reduced nighttime grazing and drought-related stress indicate the need for adaptive management. This research highlights that structured grazing management, under favourable conditions, enhances rangeland restoration and livestock productivity, with a progressive market serving as a key driver for improved pastoral practices.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the significance of accurate weather forecasts cannot be overstated. Trade, industrial, agriculture, and climate change policies and strategies play a crucial role in shaping the development trajectory of countries and regions. They can significantly impact economic growth, food security, and environmental sustainability. The objectives of this paper are to identify the existing gaps in the design, formulation, and implementation of trade, industrial, agriculture, and climate change policies and strategies in Africa, to explore the relationship between these policy areas and their impact on sustainable development, and to provide recommendations for more integrated and effective policies and strategies. This paper’s methodology involves reviewing and analysing existing trade, industrial, agriculture, and climate change policies and strategies in Africa. The literature review reveals a lack of comprehensive and coherent policies and strategies addressing Africa’s trade, industry, agriculture, and climate change linkages. Existing policies and strategies focus on individual sectors in isolation rather than a holistic and integrated approach. Furthermore, the literature highlights a lack of recognition of the gender-differentiated roles in agriculture and the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change. The paper recommends that African countries develop comprehensive and integrated policies and strategies that recognise the interlinkages between trade, industry, agriculture, and climate change. These policies and strategies should take a holistic approach, considering the potential synergies and trade-offs between these sectors and incorporating climate change considerations. Second, there is a need to mainstream gender into these policies and strategies. This can be done by recognising and addressing the gender-differentiated roles in agriculture and the gender-differentiated impacts of climate change.

Integrating standards, quality, accreditation, and metrology in industrialisation in Southern Africa has significant implications for the region. This ensures that Southern African industries can meet international standards and compete effectively in regional and global markets. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in the region’s overall economic development and growth by improving productivity and cost-effectiveness, reducing waste and errors, and providing a framework for continuous industry improvement and innovation. Metrology, as the science of measurement, is fundamental to this integration and ensures the accuracy and reliability of measurements used in industrial processes.

Komunikasi merupakan elemen penting dalam sesebuah kerangka kerjasama khususnya melalui perundingan antara dua negara. GBC Malindo, yang telah ditubuhkan sejak tahun 1972 melalui SA72/84, merupakan satu platfom perundingan utama di antara Malaysia dan Indonesia dalam menyelesaikan isu-isu berkaitan pengurusan keselamatan sempadan. Walau bagaimanapun, wujud cabaran dalam proses perundingan di antara kedua-dua pihak. Antaranya adalah berkaitan masalah komunikasi tidak lancar yang memberikan kesan kepada keberkesanan GBC Malindo. Komunikasi yang tidak lancar ini adalah disebabkan oleh beberapa faktor, antaranya adalah isu trust deficit, persepsi ancaman yang berbeza, jurang kemampuan dan keupayaan negara serta masalah penyelarasan antara agensi. Oleh itu, kajian ini akan meneroka permasalahan ataupun cabaran dalam komunikasi yang berlaku semasa rundingan GBC Malindo melalui beberapa kajian kes yang dipilih. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah Kualitatif, yang mana data premier diperolehi melalui analisis dokumen berkaitan pelaksanaan program dan aktiviti di bawah GBC Malindo serta temu bual berstruktur melibatkan beberapa responden dari kedua-dua negara. Fokus kajian adalah merungkai bagaimana masalah komunikasi dalam perundingan ini masih mampu membolehkan GBC Malindo terus kekal sebagai platfom utama perbincangan dan dapat menyelesaikan isu-isu yang diketengahkan. Hasil analisis mendapati bahawa masalah komunikasi yang wujud dalam rundingan GBC Malindo dapat diselesaikan dengan pendekatan Confident Building Measure (CBM) khususnya melalui hubungan rapat antara pemimpin GBC Malindo kedua-dua negara. Melalui CBM, masalah berkaitan komunikasi yang menyebabkan isu-isu keselamatan tidak dapat diselesaikan telah berjaya ditangani. Kata kunci: Komunikasi, GBC Malindo, Malaysia dan Indonesia, cabaran perundingan, Confident Building Measure (CBM).

In this mural we demonstrate liberation of evaluation from normalized publication structures. The article is a challenge to publication structures, more specifically journals, to open space for diversity of expression of thought. In this mural, practitioners, academics, policymakers, development partners, VOPEs (Voluntary Organizations for Professional Evaluations), speak to the strategies to decolonize evaluation. The immediate impact of this mural is a demonstrated commitment to decolonize evaluation by more than 50 individuals and entities. Taking up the commitment will be a demonstrable change that came with the mural. The mural also provides an open space for the exchange of ideas, and strategies to decolonize evaluation. Moreover, the contributing voices are preserved in their own voices and their contribution to global knowledge production is acknowledged. This is indeed a departure from the ethics of confidentiality in research where the participants in an evaluation inquiry largely remain anonymous even in the co-creation of knowledge. We believe that when participants in an evaluation inquiry come across their commitments in evaluation journals, they are encouraged to further form coalitions with like minds and hold themselves accountable collectively to liberate evaluation from the remnants of colonialism.