“After 20 years of democracy, post-apartheid South Africa has been
successfully reintegrated into international affairs. By virtue of the
country’s domestic order, specifically its democracy, human rights and globally integrated economy, South Africa has assumed leadership roles in various international platforms – the UN, African Union (AU) and the G-20. South Africa has used these avenues to advance Africa’s voice and issues. However, lacunae exist in the manner in which it has sought to
advance issues populated in the African Agenda. Although South Africa’s domestic political rhetoric on human rights and democracy is lauded, its diplomatic actions have become less and less consistent with the core values that underwrite its foreign policy and constitution. Moreover, South
Africa’s ‘lone-wolf’ attitude is at odds with regional anchor states. Dealing
with this twin deficit requires that Pretoria foster solid, issue-based
partnerships with key African states in order to gain more legitimacy when
it speaks on African concerns in global forums.”
