⁠Countries in Southern Africa have for many years been regarded as immune against the threat of violent extremism and terrorism when compared to other regions on the continent. Instead, socio-economic challenges, diseases, and the effects of climate change presented a more immediate concern. Despite this overarching assessment, the transnational nature of violent extremism meant that challenges associated with violent extremism are also being witnessed in this region. Consequently, three SADC member states, notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Mozambique already deserved dedicated chapters of their own in this volume. With violent extremism and terrorism not high on the agenda of countries in the region, allowed foreign violent extremist elements to use countries like South Africa as a safe haven from where it could plan and direct acts of terrorism in other countries. Although South Africa experienced acts of domestic terrorism, the growing influence of Islamic State (IS), spread through social media and the internet facilitated homegrown radicalisation and recruitment to its cause. Another concern is that identity politics that previously manifested in quests for self-determination, however dormant since, may be manipulated by extremist elements in the future.