1|Page
APC3701 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - The
Politics of Southern Africa
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Question 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Challenges Facing Multiparty Democracy in Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe and
Botswana................................................................................................................................................ 2
Zambia: Internal Party Conflicts and Limited Political Accountability .............................. 2
Zimbabwe: Political Dominance and Institutional Weakness .............................................. 2
Botswana: Dominant Party Democracy ..................................................................................... 3
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Question 2 .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Successes and Challenges of Democratization in Southern Africa....................................... 4
Democratic Achievements in the Region .................................................................................. 4
Challenges Affecting Democratization ....................................................................................... 5
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 5
References ................................................................................................................................................. 5
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Question 1
Challenges Facing Multiparty Democracy in Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe
and Botswana
Multiparty democracy has been widely adopted in Southern Africa since the political
reforms of the early 1990s. While these systems allow for competitive elections and
political participation, several countries in the region continue to face obstacles that limit
the effective functioning of democracy. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana illustrate
different types of challenges affecting multiparty democracy.
Zambia: Internal Party Conflicts and Limited Political Accountability
Zambia transitioned to multiparty politics in 1991 and has since conducted regular
elections. Despite this progress, the political system faces significant challenges,
particularly within political parties themselves. Internal democracy within parties is often
weak, as leadership positions are frequently controlled by influential elites rather than
through transparent and competitive processes. This reduces accountability and
discourages grassroots participation in party structures (Bwalya and Sichone, 2018).
Additionally, Zambia’s political environment has been influenced by external
development actors and international donors, which sometimes shapes domestic policy
priorities. While such engagement has contributed to economic development, it may
also affect national policy autonomy and democratic decision-making processes
(Kragelund, 2014). These dynamics illustrate the structural challenges that continue to
affect Zambia’s democratic consolidation.
Zimbabwe: Political Dominance and Institutional Weakness
Zimbabwe presents a more severe case of democratic challenges. Although the country
operates under a formal multiparty system, political power has largely remained
concentrated in the ruling party. The political transition that followed the removal of
President Robert Mugabe in 2017 created expectations for democratic reform.
APC3701 Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026 (Answer Guide) - The
Politics of Southern Africa
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
Question 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Challenges Facing Multiparty Democracy in Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe and
Botswana................................................................................................................................................ 2
Zambia: Internal Party Conflicts and Limited Political Accountability .............................. 2
Zimbabwe: Political Dominance and Institutional Weakness .............................................. 2
Botswana: Dominant Party Democracy ..................................................................................... 3
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Question 2 .................................................................................................................................................. 4
Successes and Challenges of Democratization in Southern Africa....................................... 4
Democratic Achievements in the Region .................................................................................. 4
Challenges Affecting Democratization ....................................................................................... 5
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 5
References ................................................................................................................................................. 5
, 2|Page
Question 1
Challenges Facing Multiparty Democracy in Southern Africa: Zambia, Zimbabwe
and Botswana
Multiparty democracy has been widely adopted in Southern Africa since the political
reforms of the early 1990s. While these systems allow for competitive elections and
political participation, several countries in the region continue to face obstacles that limit
the effective functioning of democracy. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana illustrate
different types of challenges affecting multiparty democracy.
Zambia: Internal Party Conflicts and Limited Political Accountability
Zambia transitioned to multiparty politics in 1991 and has since conducted regular
elections. Despite this progress, the political system faces significant challenges,
particularly within political parties themselves. Internal democracy within parties is often
weak, as leadership positions are frequently controlled by influential elites rather than
through transparent and competitive processes. This reduces accountability and
discourages grassroots participation in party structures (Bwalya and Sichone, 2018).
Additionally, Zambia’s political environment has been influenced by external
development actors and international donors, which sometimes shapes domestic policy
priorities. While such engagement has contributed to economic development, it may
also affect national policy autonomy and democratic decision-making processes
(Kragelund, 2014). These dynamics illustrate the structural challenges that continue to
affect Zambia’s democratic consolidation.
Zimbabwe: Political Dominance and Institutional Weakness
Zimbabwe presents a more severe case of democratic challenges. Although the country
operates under a formal multiparty system, political power has largely remained
concentrated in the ruling party. The political transition that followed the removal of
President Robert Mugabe in 2017 created expectations for democratic reform.
