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1 Introduction Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is relatively a new concept especially in Africa because the culture and the enabling institutional infrastructure has not been as fully developed as in the industrialized economies of the north. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, current CSR debate is focused on how policy and practice would be enhanced and enforced to benefit the populace. The SADC countries share a similar history of colonialism, racism and the accompanying economic imbalances. The development of CSR in the respective countries share similarities in post-colonial interventions to address historical economic imbalances. The emerging debate is premised on the issues of political freedom and economic liberation. Large businesses are dominated by multinational corporations (MNCs) whilst the indigenous locals have been advocating for affirmative action. In South Africa one opposition political party, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), holds a philosophy and ideology based on fighting for locals to benefit through participation in an economy previously dominated by the white minority. The Zimbabwean government in trying to address colonial imbalances adopted the radical policy of indigenization meant to empower locals. Unfortunately, this well-intended policy caused capital flight and low foreign direct investment. The local communities in mining areas such as Marange in the Eastern province of Zimbabwe did not benefit from the diamond resources in their area. The policy of part-ownership of the diamond mines through Community Share Ownership Trust Schemes (CSOTS) were not successful...

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