Indeed it is long overdue. The Southern African Customs Union could be transformed from the oldest customs union in the world to be a strong Confederation of independent states with a unified economy, open borders, single currency. This indeed could be easily achieved since these 5 nation’s economies are integrated to a certain degree. With a population of about 51,055,878 people, a GDP of $541 billion and GDP per capita of $10, 000, this region will be the strongest Federal government in the whole of Africa in the economic sense. Moreover with a common English language and mostly similar cultures, conflict is something unlikely to occur. The big advantage is the huge number of good universities, well developed and maintained infrastructure, the exponentially growing educated population, well established mining industries etc it can perform to and beyond the levels of economies like South Korea.
SACU is 100 years old today and has been consistent in the agreements that were made when the Union of South Africa was formed. After all the countries South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia have historical attachments from back in 1910 when they were Union of South Africa, Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutholand, Swaziland and Suid Wes Afrika respectively.