Foreign Policy Analysis: South Africa’s Post-Apartheid Foreign Policy

This study presents an overview of post-apartheid South African foreign policy. South Africa, after enduring centuries of segregation, experienced a systematic and institutionalised form of racial discrimination – apartheid – in all sections of its society for about four decades. International resistance saw South Africa become a pariah state in the community of nations. Following the removal of restrictions on opposition political parties and the release of incarcerated political prisoners in 1990, the National Party led by F.W. De Klerk laid the foundation for a democratic transition. This process culminated in the victory at the 1994 polls of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress. Six principles emerged as aspirations of South Africa’s foreign policy: human rights, respect for international law, the promotion of democracy, the pursuit of peace via non-violent mechanisms, dedication to Africa’s welfare, and international cooperation to advance economic development. The literature reveals a consistent foreign policy trajectory from President Mandela to President Ramaphosa, with human rights maintained as a key feature. Although some foreign policy experts attest to some inconsistencies in the state’s foreign policy, these disparities have been explained as being in line with the state’s present economic or national interests.