African Region in Global Perspectives: South Africa
South Africa’s foreign relations have consistently progressed from the nation’s period as Dominion of the British Empire to its isolationist policies during Apartheid to its contemporary position as a responsible international actor, taking primary duties in Africa, specifically Southern Africa. South Africa, as a member of the African Union, the United Nations as well as the Commonwealth of Nations, interacts with both countries from Africa and other continents across the globe in terms of health, education, sports, trade, politics and migration among other sectors. Thus, this paper highlights how South Africa has been able to interact with other nations within the continent and outside the continent, specifically in trade, politics, sports, migration and health.
Politics
South Africa has been an instrumental figure in global politics. Considered as a possible permanent member to the United Nations Security Council, South Africa joined the Council in 2006 and again in 2010 after being elected by the UN General Assembly to operate on the Security Council until 2012. South Africa again was elected as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019-2020 period (Geldenhuys, 2015). Also, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, is the present chair of the African Union, a second time South Africa is heading the organization since its establishment in 2003. As such, South Africa has been instrumental in global politics through their participation in security matters across the globe (South African Government, 2020). The country is involved in making political decisions that influence peaceful coexistence among nations. For instance, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, the country works closely with the United States and China who are permanent members of the Security Council in making decisions such as investigating disputes that can lead to international frictions.
South Africa, as the head of the African Union, ensures the effectiveness of political affairs in African countries, promote agriculture and ensuring peace and security within African borders (Geldenhuys, 2015). In this manner, South Africa is charged with heading all the peace talks in Africa, promoting democracy and human rights as well as sending peacekeepers in troubled places in Africa (South African Government, 2020). Thus, the country interacts with African nations under political circumstance aimed at promoting peace in the continent. Working as head of African Union since it is head by the South African President and also operating as the United Nations Security Council, South Africa is placed at the helm of global politics (Geldenhuys, 2015). The country interacts with different nations across the globe to promote all the agendas of the African Union and the United Nations Security Council. Equally, South Africa as member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which comprise of about 120 nations, have played a critical role in deliberations and meetings since the foundation of the group in 2019 (South African Government, 2020). NAM is the largest political grouping of states outside the United Nations, placing it as a critical lobby group of developing nations in the global affair.
Trade
Trade is another sector that brings South Africa and other nations across the globe together. In Africa, for instance, South Africa is a leading member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) (Geldenhuys, 2015). In these twelve member states organization, the agenda is to promote regional corporation in economic development as well as their security affairs (Geldenhuys, 2015). The SADC annual heads meeting that was held in Johannesburg, 1995, agreed on a regional common market without internal trade barriers after the year 2000 (South African Government, 2020). SADC states also share water resources among member countries.
South Africa is a member of G20 since 1999 after Asian financial crises. The G20 was formed to promote multilateral cooperation for the recovery of the global economy. It was intended to generate stability to the global financial system, to help in long-term sustainable growth and to promote global economic governance (Geldenhuys, 2015). G20 economies account for about 85% of the world Gross Domestic Product as well as 80% of global trade and two-thirds of the global population (South African Government, 2020). South Africa equally operates closely with international bodies and organizations to facilitate the benefits from trade, investment and innovations to offer solutions to challenges of poverty and inequalities (Geldenhuys, 2015). The country works closely with the World Trade Organization, World Economic Forum, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, International Labor Organization and World Intellectual Property Organization. As a member of the organizations, the country interacts with other nations for a smooth trade.
The bilateral economic relationship between South Africa and the United States is the largest in Africa. The countries are involved in a two-way goods trade of about $14 billion as by 2018 (Cook, 2013). About 600 United States businesses function in South Africa, most of which use South Africa as the regional headquarter (South African Government, 2020). South Africa qualifies for preferential trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act as well as the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences trade preference program (Cook, 2013). Both governments engage in frequent discussions to increase opportunities for bilateral trade and investment and optimize the business climate (South African Government, 2020). The United States and South Africa signed an amended Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2012 (Cook, 2013). Besides, the country belongs to the Southern African Customs Union, which signed a Trade, Investment, and Development Cooperative Agreement (TIDCA) with the United States in 2008 (Cook, 2013). The United States and South Africa have a bilateral tax treaty eliminating double taxation.
The economic cooperation between South Africa and China started late but has evolved very fast with greater potentials. The trade between the two nations started around the 1990s when they started direct commercial inflow (Alden & Wu 2016). In 1991, the bilateral trade volume was valued at US$14 million, and by 1997, it had reached US$1. 5 billion. After the development of diplomatic relationships, bilateral relationships have developed fast. During the year 2002, it had reached US$2. 58 billion with China imports tallying to US$1.269 billion and exports US$1.311 billion (Alden & Wu 2016). Currently, South Africa is China’s biggest trade partner in Africa, of which South Africa-China trade volume amounting to approximately 20% of the total value of China-Africa trade (Alden & Wu 2016). The two countries have increased their two-way investment with China investing in agricultural projects, electronics, textile, banking, as well as transportation, among others (Alden & Wu 2016). The two states have signed various agreements aimed at protecting investments, trade as well as economies, for instance, the elimination of double taxation.
Health
South Africa forms one of the 194 member countries that form the World Health Organization (South African Government, 2020). The country is involved in the annual World Health Assembly, which is the World Health Organization’s supreme decision-making body (South African Government, 2020). South Africa equally participates in the WHO’s annual Regional Committee for Africa, which highlights decisions considered at the World Health Assembly, primarily those that concern the African continent.
Through its action in the above-mentioned structures, South Africa contributes to establishing international culture and standards on primary issues concerning global and public health (South African Government, 2020). For instance, the country participates in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (Geldenhuys, 2015). South Africa leads the world in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and participate in the formulation of policies aimed at addressing tuberculosis and malaria conditions across the world (South African Government, 2020). As a member of WHO as well as World Health Assembly, South Africa is involved in building resilient healthcare system among developing countries, promoting access to medication and encouraging states to strive to attain Universal Healthcare Coverage (Geldenhuys, 2015). The country equally contributes to economic growth through health employment.
In terms of cooperation, South Africa health products are mostly from the United States and Germany (Geldenhuys, 2015). China comes third in terms of healthcare product dominance in South African’s health market (South African Government, 2020). As a leader in HIV and AIDS cases and ARVs drug banks, South Africa supplies ARVs to some African countries such as Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Sports
According to the Global Millennium Development Goals as well as the Magglingen Conference of 2005, sport is a beacon of hope for peacebuilding and development effort throughout the world. Sports assumes a fundamental function in current contemporary society (Geldenhuys, 2015).
Its unmistakable quality in the media which commits more inclusion extensively to sports than governmental issues or financial aspects exhibits its development during the last century (Geldenhuys, 2015). For most people, sports form an integral part of life, either as an active participant or passive fan.
In South Africa, sports have been critical in changing the country and placing the nation to the human-friendly environment (South African Government, 2020). Predominantly, the sporting boycott of South Africa at the time of Apartheid is believed to have played critical duty in forcing the country to open up their society and eliminate global isolation (Geldenhuys, 2015). South Africa was prohibited from the 1964 Summer Olympics, and numerous games’ overseeing bodies ousted or suspended participation of South African associates. It is indicated that the international boycott of apartheid sport was amazing methods for sharpening world feeling against politically-sanctioned racial segregation and inactivating a huge number of individuals for activity against that detestable system. The boycott assisted in changing the official policies.
South Africa currently participates in all international sports. Participating in sports has helped the country promote its international relations with other nations (South African Government, 2020). While at face value, sport is a competition among participants, when viewed from an international perspective, athletic competition has limited value compared to competition among nations. Through participation in sports, South Africa has been able to forge numerous political interests (Cook, 2013). For instance, when Rugby teams from different nations refused to play against the South African team, it forced the government to change their political system of human Apartheid.
South Africa has been able to host the FIFA World Cup, a competition that brings countries from all the continents together. Hosting such an event allowed the nation to showcase its commitment to an international relationship with different countries across the globe (Cook, 2013). South Africa equally has managed to host the African Cup of Nations, a competition that involves African nations. With all the countries that qualify for such game being host within the hosting nation, South Africa has been able to interact with many countries across the world than any other African country. For instance, in 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa managed to host 31 foreign nations’ players while every time the country hosts African Cup of Nations, 16 different African countries are presented in the tournament (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). As such, the country has been doing well in hosting other nations for sporting events. Also, South Africa has been sending its athletes to different nations for international games. Whenever a team arrives in a hosting nation, they represent their country. In most occasions, national anthem being played before the games start. All these are signs of a good relationship with foreign countries through sports.
There have been numerous sports boycotts when countries come together to fight what is considered against human rights in different nations as well as due to existing tension between nations (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). When such boycotts happen, the countries come together to find a lasting solution for such a problem. As was witnessed with South Africa during Apartheid, 22 African countries boycotted the 1976 Montreal Olympics Games (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). Taiwan boycotted the organizing committee because the Public Republic of China was in this committee (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). The 65 countries boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games under the pretext of the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). Eastern Bloc countries citing security reasons and anti-Soviet propaganda boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Olympics Games (Skillen & McDowell, 2017). All these demonstrate how effective sports is in changing a nation’s internal and foreign policies. South Africa, like any other nation, has benefitted from participating in international sports in terms of promoting international relations.
Migration
Global migration streams are not as big as majority of people think, it is only about 3 % of the global population that resides outside their country of birth, and the figure has remained the same for quite a long time (Cook, 2013). Since variations influence migration in economic opportunity among nations, it is usually concentrated in regions marked by bigger differences in income per capita (Cook, 2013). It is mostly rich nations attracting migrants from relatively low-income neighbors (South African Government, 2020). In Southern Africa, it is South Africa that mainly attracts migrants from neighboring nations.
Migration policy in South Africa allows for skilled foreigners to jet in the country for specific duties within their profession (South African Government, 2020). Unfortunately, under different circumstances, people from neighboring countries have been able to access South Africa. For instance, about 2 million Zimbabweans reside in the country after fleeing from the crisis in Zimbabwe (Cook, 2013). Majority of people from neighboring countries like Tanzania have been able to coexist in South Africa even if they are not skilled labor due to the good relationship between the two countries (Geldenhuys, 2015). Under different circumstances, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland citizens have been allowed free access to South Africa and free access to job opportunities in the country by people from those countries (Cook, 2013). It shows the cordial relationship between South Africa and those countries as well as how South African’s migration policy is accommodative to neighboring nations.
In relations to China ties, South Africa is one of the most developed nations in Africa; it remains a popular destination for Chinese visiting the continent. The report indicates that about half of Chinese moving to Africa find themselves in South Africa (Alden & Wu 2016). Also, South Africa is the only nation in Africa with a significant population of Chinese South Africans as well as Taiwan South Africans. As the economic ties between South Africa and China continue to integrate, the movement of people, students, business people and workers has equally increased. Currently, most Chinese in South Africa has continued to stay after completing their mission in the country (Alden & Wu 2016). South Africans have also enjoyed their stay in China as they operate their business, education as well as social visits.
South Africa and the United States enjoy a close link in terms of political policies leading to close economic relationship as well as flexible citizens accommodation. By 2018, there were about 100,000 South Africans living in the United States. South Africa is among the countries allowed to participate in the Green card lottery that allows both skilled and unskilled foreigners to work in America (Cook, 2013). Also, America has numerous businesses in South Africa with its citizens running the operations than any other country. As a result of the close political relationship between South Africa and the United States, their citizens have been able to move within the two countries freely (Cook, 2013). Several students from America studies in South Africa as well as numerous South African students learning in the United States (Cook, 2013). All these are possible due to migration policies that allow them to move to such countries.
In conclusion, South Africa has evolved to reach the global spotlight. While the country still endures the impact of Apartheid regime, there have been numerous achievements in the country, placing them among the top democratic nations. Through participation in global politics, the country has been able to promote peaceful coexistence among nations across the world. Their global health participation, as well as sports participation, has been instrumental in promoting close ties with different nations across the world.