The socio-economic relations of South Africa and Botswana : a poverty alleviation strategy

Abstract

The study aims to identify whether the social and economic relations between South Africa and Botswana can assist both countries in achieving poverty alleviation. Despite the borders, they share historical, social, political and cultural similarities. They are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and were formerly colonized by Britain. The political landscape of both countries are almost the same. Batswana worked in South Africa as migrant labourers and some even got their education in South Africa. South Africans fled to Botswana during the apartheid era. The study is conducted in both South Africa and Botswana to evaluate how they can assist each other in poverty alleviation. Economic growth and socio-economic development are the primary objectives of both the governments' foreign policy. The cooperation and integration aims to alleviate poverty and to promote peace, security and democracy within the SADC region. However, deadly HIV/ AIDS and communicable diseases are still a major concern. Gender mainstreaming and corruption are also the challenges that the two countries are faced with. South Africa and Botswana are morally and legally bound to use all the measures to promote achievement of the objectives of SADC. The study use both qualitative and quantitative methods and a questionnaire was also distributed to evaluate whether the relations of both the countries can assist in poverty alleviation. The resources of the region should be optimally utilized so that the region emerges competitive and participates effectively in the world economy. The relations, according to the study, can assist both the countries with their poverty alleviation strategies.