Coloniality and othering in DFID’s development partnership with South Africa

Abstract

ABSTRACT Development aid discourses have been criticised for perpetuating othering and coloniality. They have been argued to produce and reproduce conceptual creations of a distinguishable ‘us’ and ‘them’ and uphold hierarchies where former colonial powers remain preeminent and subjugate the ‘Global South’. The turn of the century, however, saw the emergence of ‘development partnerships’ to rebalance asymmetrical relationships between donor and recipient. Developing a critical discourse analysis framework from decolonial scholarship and applying it to the United Kingdom Department for International Development’s development partnership with South Africa between 2014 and 2018, the article reveals clear examples of othering and coloniality. The suggestion of mutuality therefore appears to be just a façade, and the development partnership discourse is rather emphasising difference and justifying colonial hierarchies, contradicting its purported values. Recommendations include increased scrutiny of dehistoricised and decontextualised development narratives, and clearly stating national and political interests in bilateral partnerships.