“This policy brief examines South Africa’s role in resolving some of the intricate crises on the African continent. The focus is on the perceived predatory nature of South Africa’s relations with the rest of the continent, and why such relations are Utopian, without malice intended. Though interests are the main drivers of foreign policy formulation, South Africa had since 1994 relied on the astute and shrewd nature of its former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki to drive the foreign policy agenda of South Africa. In the post-Mbeki era, democratic exigencies have been the main drivers of South African policy on Africa, with little reference to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The myth surrounding South Africa’s involvement on the continent stems from the bullish and structural weakness of the domestic foreign policy generation process. The brief argues that South Africa needs to reallocate its resources and restrategise its African policy agenda in order to offer insights into adaptations in foreign policy that emerging economies are pursuing in other regions of the world.”
