Executive summary
This paper explores the evolution of South Africa’s stance towards Africa since 1994, examines
how is has approached its presumptive leadership role on the continent, and suggests that the
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD, formerly known as the New African
Initiative (NAI)) represents the clearest expression thus far of the South Africa’s ‘national
interest’ on the continent, which is to improve economic and political governance as a basis for
enhanced economic development.
The first section discusses Africa’s failure to develop, identif ying ‘weak states’ as the underlying
cause, and discussing the roots of this problem in the inter-state system’s evolution since
colonialism. State weakness underlines the need for improved governance as a prerequisite for
development in Africa. This section argues that most African states are ill-equipped to address
the particular challenges posed by globalisation, making a strong case for collective action by
states.
The second section discusses the debate in South Africa after 1994 on the country’s Africa
policy. South Africa’s relative economic dominance on the continent, especially in Southern
Africa, has shaped one important position – ‘realism’, that is, a focus on narrowly-defined
economic and political interests in the international arena – which is contrasted with an
alternative ‘idealist’ perspective, emphasising a moral vision concerned with democracy and
human rights, and strongly influenced by the ANC’s history as a exiled liberation movement
dependent on several African countries. This section also discusses the effects of globalisation
in increasing the importance of ‘cross-border externalities’ – the impact within societies of
developments elsewhere in the global and regional economies. These externalities have been a
major influence both in shaping South Africa’s Africa policy, and in increasing Africa’s
importance in global security and global welfare. This context provides the rationale for the
priority issue within the NEPAD being improved governance and strengthening of African states,
while the latter at the same time represent a crucial dimension of South Africa’s national interest
on the continent.
Section 3 provides a detailed dis cussion of the NEPAD as an attempt by African leaders to
address the continent’s lack of development on a collective basis. It focusses on the
requirements for the NEPAD to operate effectively as a ‘club’ of African states in order to
enhance governance in each state individually. The need for effective leadership by key African
Heads of State is emphasised, and the modalities of this leadership are spelled out. Finally,
South Africa’s capacity to play its role as NEPAD leader is discussed, and the potential value of
the Partnership to the country is spelled out.
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- 195Kb ~ 1 min (45 pages)
