Journal of Public Administration (2024)

Continuity and Change in the Foreign Policies of South Africa; 1994–2012

International Journal For Reseacrh In Applied Science And Engineering Technology, 2020

This article explains the foreign policy of South Africa from the period of 1994-2012. It explains the points of the dimensions of South Africa's foreign policy. " Continuity and Change of South Africa's Foreign Policy 1994-2012" focused to understand how and what effect, changing and significance has been there in the foreign policy of South Africa from the Mandela to Jacob Zuma time period. The foreign policy of South Africa has been important. The basic foreign policy of South Africa is to promote its territories, human rights, and peace. South Africa foreign policy has been relating to an apartheid policy which is a background of it. It examines the foreign policy in Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma presidential. It describes the foreign policy from apartheid to post-apartheid.

South Africa’s Post-apartheid Foreign Policy Making and the Role of the President

Who makes South Africa's foreign policy? this has been an area of continuous discussion following South Africa's transition to democracy in 1994. In the foreign policy analysis discourse, considerable attention has been given to the role of the head of state and government in shaping foreign policy, particularly in developed countries. With South africa's own President assuming a predominant role in foreign policy, there is a need for further reflection on the impact of this position in foreign policy decision making. Using existing theory and current analysis this article highlights the different approaches adopted by South Africa's first four democratically elected presidents, from the international statesmanship of Mandela, to the micro-management of Mbeki, the stabiliser role of Motlanthe and the consensus-building to absent leader position of Jacob Zuma. drawing on Joseph Nye's discussion of the characterisation of transformational and transactional leadership, this analysis traces the approaches of the different Presidents in shaping South Africa's foreign policy and international engagement.

The challenges and ambiguities of South Africa ’ s foreign policy

2012

In 1994, after the African National Congress’s electoral victory, the Republic of South Africa emerged as a promising regional foreign policy actor. The rise of a generation formed in one of the most epic global political struggles, its proclaimed commitment to promote peace and development and its promise to put human rights at the heart of its international relations seemed to open a new era in Africa.The new South Africa established itself as a key actor in the region, acting as a mediator and sending peacekeeping

South African Foreign Policy Review. Volume 2.

Trends and developments in South African foreign policy: 2009

SAYIL, 2009

Consistency and inconsistencies in South African foreign policy

International Affairs, 2005

South Africa's foreign policy, conducted in an ad hoc and haphazard fashion under President Nelson Mandela, has been consolidated under the presidency of Thabo Mbeki. This article first outlines five consistent policy themes: Africa and Africanist; democracy and respect for human rights; a holistic understanding of security; a pacific approach to conflict resolution; and multilateralism. The article then identifies and attempts to explain a number of significant inconsistencies in relation to these themes, including Mbeki's ‘quiet diplomacy’ on Zimbabwe; his denialist position on HIV/AIDS; South Africa's controversial arms procurement programme; and its domestic xenophobia. Some of these inconsistencies have undermined the country's international credibility and at times overhshadowed its considerable achievements.

Foreign policy making in South Africa: from public participation to democratic participation

The Concentric Circles of South Africa's Foreign Policy under Jacob Zuma

‘Foreign Policy and its People: Transforming the Apartheid Department of Foreign Affairs’, Diplomacy and Statecraft, 26 (3): 514-533.

Just as apartheid was ending, South Africa’s foreign relations witnessed a massive expansion. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs that was to manage this change found itself undergoing institutional transformations of both personnel and ideology. Studies on South African foreign policy have mostly neglected this transformation, which has had a considerable influence on the content and direction of South African foreign policy. In discussing this seldom-studied issue, this analysis unearths the discussions and debates that took place between various stakeholders to bring about transformation in the Department. In doing so, it argues that two different cultures of diplomacy came together in forming the new Department of Foreign Affairs. These cultures have had a significant impact on the thrust and direction of post-apartheid South Africa foreign policy.

The oligarchic-rationalist foreign policy model of South Africa's De Klerk government, 1989-1994

Journal of Contemporary History, 2013

It is almost 20 years since South Africa became a constitutional democracy, and it is a good time to reflect not only on the past two decades but on the transition period of 1989-1994. When Frederik Willem de Klerk became the National Party "hoofleier" or chief leader, and eventually executive President of South Africa on 20 September 1989, one could not have imagined the impact he and his party would have, not only on the country's domestic and international politics, but also on the decision-making processes and structures of the Republic. In this article the focus falls on foreign policy making and formulation under the De Klerk government during the period 1989 to 1994, as well as dissecting the agencies that were entrusted with operationalising foreign policy. Emphasis is on De Klerk's oligarchic-rationalist foreign policy model which stressed civilianisation and the restoration of the cabinet in decision making, and a move away from PW Botha's militaristi...