Post Apartheid Foreign Relations
By: Rohina Aslam
Introduction
Apartheid: isolation between white South Africans and black South Africans
President after apartheid: Nelson Mandela (ANC Party)
South Africa was isolated from the rest of the world during the apartheid era
many trade sanctions that were placed during apartheid we're lifted
diplomacy was divided between retaining the ties between African states who supported the ANC and maintaining good relations with economic powers that would further the development on South Africa
First Steps
South Africa was dominant among the African states due to military, economic, and political dominance
before extending into the international community, Mandela tried to establish pan-African unity
ANC increased South African embassies primarily in the African subcontinent as well as internationally
- became a key player in the race to end political and social crises in Africa since the end of apartheid
South Africa and the United States
always had presence in South Africa since the opening of the US embassy in Cape Town in 1799
worked against South Africa during apartheid era
had excellent relationship prior to democratic elections
both cooperation in efforts regarding terrorism as well as to eradicate HIV/AIDS
United States provided assistance to increase development
South Africa and China
during apartheid South Africa supported the “Two China” policy which made Taiwan and sovereign state
continued this after apartheid due to Taiwan's gravitation toward democracy
Switched support to the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) and “One China” policy after Hong Kong was handed back to China after British Colonial rule
Organizations
first step to enter the international community was to be part of international organizations
many commonwealth organizations such as the United Nation and the Organization of African Unity
also joined the non-aligned movement
Connection to Kaffir Boy
due to isolation during apartheid there wasn't a lot cultural flow which lead to many black South Africans to be oblivious of the outside world
Mark Mathabane was unaware of the polar opposite America, which he only learned about after his involvement with Arthur Ashe
- Similarly, many South Africans learned about other nations due to the slight increase in the standard of education and the countries involvement with the international community
Bibliography
Grimm, Sven, Yejoo Kim, and Ross Anthony. "South African Relations with China and Taiwan." South African Relations with China and Taiwan (n.d.): n. pag. Center for Chinese Studies. Feb. 2014. Web. 9 May 2015.
"South Africa–United States Relations." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 09 May 2015.
Pfister, Roger. "South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Foreign Policy Towards Africa." Http://ir.uiowa.edu/. University of Iowa, n.d. Web. 9 May 2015.