Economic structural adjustment programmes in the Southern African development community : an analysis of impact and policy considerations with special reference to Zambia and Zimbabwe

This study is primarily aimed at examining the impact of World Bank / IMF, structural adjustment programmes in the SADC region. However, the main focus of the study was on Zimbabwe and Zambia. These World Bank / IMF-influenced perestroikas, are believed to be viable panacea, for the state of economic malaise prevalent in the SADC region. In undertaking this research, various methods were utilised to acquire data. A case study approach was used. However, the main method of data collection which was heavily relied upon was document study. The collected data was analysed and presented in both graphical and tabular form. This study, inter alia, established that the implementation of IMF / WB structural adjustment programmes in the SADC region has precipitated a plethora of insurmountable socio-economic problems for the citizenry of both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Furthermore, the research has revealed that IMF / WB influenced structural adjustment programmes have culminated in large-scale unemployment, retrenchments, an acute decline in educational and health standards, ever-skyrocketing food prices, rents, taxes, mass exodus of qualified human resources to greener pastures, big debts, inflation and labour strikes in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Political Studies

Year dc:date.issued

1999

Author dc:creator

• Gumede, Nyawo Basirio Simbi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kuye, Jerry O

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9748

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9748