Abstract:
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) was formed to promote the
political, economic and social wellbeing of the region. Some of the social objectives of
the SADC are the promotion of social development and the alleviation of poverty, the
enhancement of the quality of life of the peoples of Southern Africa, and the provision of
support to the socially disadvantaged. In order to achieve these objectives, SADC
member states have concluded a Treaty and various social protection-related
instruments which aim to ensure that everyone in the region is provided with basic
minimum social protection. Although the formation of the SADC (and the conclusion of
some of its social protection-related instruments) preceded both the minimum social
protection floor concept and the Social Protection Floor Initiative, the Treaty and
instruments can be seen as complying with the requirements of both the concept and
the initiative within the region. This article analyses the extent to which the SADC social
protection-related instruments fulfil a minimum social floor function at the SADC regional
level. The positive and negative aspects of the SADC Treaty and social protectionrelated
instruments in this regard are evaluated. In addition, the article reviews the
impact of the SADC social protection-related instruments in the setting up of social
protection programmes aimed at ensuring a minimum social protection floor in some of the SADC countries. The successes of such country initiatives and the challenges faced
are discussed. This is then followed by some concluding observations.
