An investigation into the role of hegemons in Regional Politics : a case study of South Africa in the SADC Region

Abstract

This research set out to investigate the role of hegemons in regional politics, a case study of South Africa in the SADC region. A hegemon is a state with capabilities such as military prowess, international accreditation, economic viability and hence dominance. Based on the above characteristics, South Africa is a hegemon in SADC. The research found out that South Africa plays a role in the politics of the SADC region. This role includes: sponsoring peacekeeping missions; ensuring economic stability by supporting economic blocks such as SACU and the Common Monetary Area; contributing to service delivery by exporting its businesses north of the Limpopo; and also by acting as a shelter to refugees and migrants fleeing :from political persecution and economic strife in neighbouring countries. Moreover, it was established that the performance of this role by South Africa generates perceptions from other SADC states. These perceptions range :from admiration for the wealth and dominance of the Pretoria government, to suspicion and hatred, originating in vestiges of the former apartheid government's policies, and also in what is considered South Africa's xenophobic trade and immigration policies. Based on these findings, a number of recommendations were advanced. They include: Cooperative leadership between South Africa and other SADC states; the use of South Africa's dominance to promote the region's economic and political stability under the banner of the Southern African Development Community; and efforts by the South African government to vigorously tackle aspects of latent conflicts such as poverty, xenophobia and crime in the country.