Untitled Document

This monograph, edited by Hussein Solomon and published by the Institute for Security Studies in May 1997, examines the evolution, principles, and challenges of South African foreign policy following the transition to democracy in 1994. It analyzes the tension between the government's declared commitment to human rights and democracy and its pragmatic bilateral relations with states such as Cuba, Libya, and the People's Republic of China. The text explores South Africa's role as a regional hegemon in Southern Africa, its engagement with the African continent, and the theoretical debate over whether it should pursue 'middle power' or 'co-operative' leadership.

• Post-1994 South African foreign policy is characterized by a tension between declared moral principles—such as human rights and democracy—and pragmatic national interests. This is evidenced by the government's decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China over the Republic of China (Taiwan) and its ties with Libya and Cuba, despite their human rights records.
• The South African government justifies its relations with 'pariah' states by asserting that bilateral ties do not imply support for a government's internal policies and that the 'enemies of the west are not necessarily the enemies of South Africa'.
• South Africa's regional policy in Southern Africa is marked by a shift from the 'destabilisation policy' of the 1980s to a focus on peaceful co-existence and economic development. However, South Africa remains the dominant regional hegemon, with an economy nearly four times larger than the other eleven SADC members combined.
• There is a theoretical debate regarding South Africa's international role. While some argue it is a 'middle power' capable of multilateral leadership, others suggest it should adopt 'co-operative leadership' to avoid triggering fears of domination among its neighbors.
• The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) serves as a critical internal framework that influences foreign policy, emphasizing the interdependency between South Africa's economic health and the development of its neighbors.
• South Africa's foreign policy formulation is heavily influenced by the personality and international stature of President Nelson Mandela, often leading to a situation where policy follows his public statements.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) faces significant resource constraints and bureaucratic challenges, including the need to integrate diplomats from former TBVC homelands and managing budget shrinkages that may necessitate the closure of some foreign missions.
• Economic relations are a primary driver of South African foreign policy, with a strategic focus on securing trade and investment links. In 1995, the European Union was the largest trading partner, accounting for 33% of total trade.
• South Africa's engagement with the African continent is increasingly driven by the private sector, including the expansion of banks, mining firms, and retail chains, as well as the movement of white farmers into countries like Angola, Mozambique, and Zaire.
• The 1996 Constitution shifted more power toward the executive in foreign policy matters, potentially limiting the role of Parliament to an 'ex-post facto' participant in the policy process.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). Untitled Document. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono13.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Untitled Document. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono13.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Untitled Document |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono13.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesnduntitled, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Untitled Document}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/Mono13.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }