Decentralisation in SADC countries :transformation and challenges of decentralisation

government to the regional and local governments.2 In the 1990s there was a transformation to multiparty democracy in the SADC region, and the decentralisation of power to local government is an important element of democratisation.The main questions, which this essay will address are: Has democratisation in 1990s included true decentralisation?Has decentralisation helped transferring the power to the local level?It will be argued that: during the colonial rule there was a deconcentrated system of local government.During the period of single party system, local government remained much the same -a deconcentrated system.During 1990s decentralisation became part of the process of democratisation, and major change can be seen from this period.But it will be argued that the practice in the SADC countries is uneven. Significance of the StudyThe new and growing emphasis on decentralisation created potentially a new situation.In a number of countries in Africa, local governments were re-established, reformed and given new responsibilities and sometimes additional resources.In the SADC region decentralisation has been under constant transformation.The transformation has taken different forms: firstly, from the colonial forms of local government to the new institutions established after independence.Secondly, from local government under one party state to multi-party democracy, which in many instances has resulted in the transfer of power to the local level and constitutional recognition of local government.Lastly, transformation of local government from centrally planned economy to the market oriented economy.The study of decentralisation process in SADC countries is very challenging because of the similarities and differences of the countries, which make SADC.They involve a lot of similarities, for instance, eight of the countries were colonized by the British, hence inherited the British form of local government, while two countries, Angola and Mozambique were colonised by Portuguese and Namibia was governed by South Africa.Further, nine countries have a president as head of State, while two countries, Swaziland 2 Mutizwa-Mangiza et al (1996) 81. 2and Lesotho have monarchy as a head of state.Furthermore, ten countries are unitary states, while South Africa is the only quasi-federal state.Hence, this study is very significant as it highlights the common trends of decentralisation in SADC countries. Research Methodology and Literature ReviewResearch was confined to literature survey, which included constitutions, textbooks, journals articles, newsletters, Internet and any other relevant literature.The approached used in research is both historical and comparative.This approach will highlight the process of decentralisation as well as problems faced.There are some writers who have written on the subject of decentralisation in each country making SADC, but none has written particularly on the SADC countries and the transformation of local government institutions.Hence, the study will constitute a significant contribution in this regard. Limitation of the StudyThe Declaration and Treaty establishing the Southern African Development Community (SADC) was signed on July 17, 1992 in Windhoek, Namibia.SADC replaced the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), which had been in existence since 1980.South Africa joined SADC in 1994 followed by Mauritius in 1995, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1997 and Seychelles in 1997.SADC member-states are: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania 3 , Zambia and Zimbabwe.Due to the limitation on the literature available, the focus of this paper will be limited to eleven countries in the SADC, with the exclusion of Congo (DRC), Seychelles and Mauritius.Further, the subject of decentralisation is very broad encompassing a wide range of issues that would merit a broader field of inquiry.Hence, this study will focus on the transformation of local government.3 The United Republic of Tanzania was formed on 26 April 1964 by the adoption of an Act of Union between Tanganyika and the Island of Zanzibar.In this essay Tanzania will be used to refer to Tanzania Mainland.