South Africa's Future Foreign Policy

Nelson Mandela

From Foreign Affairs, November/December 1993

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Summary:  The foreign policy of a democratic South Africa will emphasize human rights and democracy. It will recognize that our destiny lies with Africa, and southern Africa in particular, but will cooperate in the sphere, not dominate it. Above all, we will try to help end the terrible economic crisis that is afflicting our country and integrate ourselves into the global economy.

NEW PILLARS FOR A NEW WORLD

As the 1980s drew to a close I could not see much of the world from my prison cell, but I knew it was changing. There was little doubt in my mind that this would have a profound impact on my country, on the southern African region and the continent of which I am proud to be a citizen. Although this process of global change is far from complete, it is clear that all nations will have boldly to recast their nets if they are to reap any benefit from international affairs in the post-Cold War era.

The African National Congress (ANC) believes that the charting of a new foreign policy for South Africa is a key element in the creation of a peaceful and prosperous country. Apartheid corroded the very essence of life in South Africa. This is why the country's emerging political leaders are challenged to build a nation in which all people-irrespective of race, color, creed, religion or sex-can assert fully their human worth; after apartheid, our people deserve nothing less than the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

This vision cannot be realized until South Africa can again participate fully in world affairs. For four decades South Africa's international relations were dogged by the apartheid issue. By the end of the 1980s, South Africa was one of the most isolated states on earth. Recovering from this will be no easy task. Conscious of this difficulty, the ANC is involved in developing those policies which will be necessary to take South Africa into the new world order as a responsible global citizen. Additionally, it is concerned with the need to forge a truly professional diplomatic service which will serve all of South Africa's peoples and represent their rich diversity. Fortunately, foreign governments have recognized the importance of this and are generously providing training for young South Africans who wish to make careers in foreign affairs.

Within the context of the current multiparty negotiations, preliminary discussions are also under way between political parties with an interest in foreign affairs in an effort to bridge the divides between them on important policy questions. The pillars upon which our foreign policy will rest are the following beliefs:

-that issues of human rights are central to international relations and an understanding that they extend beyond the political, embracing the economic, social and environmental;

-that just and lasting solutions to the problems of humankind can only come through the promotion of democracy worldwide;

-that considerations of justice and respect for international law should guide the relations between nations;

-that peace is the goal for which all nations should strive, and where this breaks down, internationally agreed and nonviolent mechanisms, including effective arms-control regimes, must be employed;

-that the concerns and interests of the continent of Africa should be reflected in our foreign-policy choices;

-that economic development depends on growing regional and international economic cooperation in an interdependent world.

These convictions stand ...

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