The Pivotal State: Post-Apartheid South Africa

Abstract

In April 1999 Thabo Mbeki became second democratically elected President of Republic of South Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela, whose own election in 1994 marked climax of most important political transition in history of modern his countrymen, majority of whom were voting for first time, Mandela's election signified end of 46 years of white minority rule under South Africa's increasingly oppressive apartheid government. Instituted by South African Nationalist Party in 1948, apartheid (separateness) sought separate of South Africa's races. Apartheid provided policy framework for maintenance of minority rule through institutionalized social, economic, political, and legal segregation of South African whites, blacks, Indians, and Coloreds (people of mixed race). Prior Mandela's election, internal resistance apartheid had driven South Africa brink of civil war, and regional and international opposition South Africa's racial had left country a pariah state, largely isolated from rest of international community. Since end of apartheid South Africa has made significant progress toward overcoming legacy of this politically and economically fragile race-based system which denied full rights majority of its people. Six years after Mandela's election, South Africa is by far most advanced democracy in The end of apartheid also has allowed South Africa end its previous international isolation. The country's government aspires both a position of regional political leadership and one of influence in international organizations. South Africa also has emerged as one of Africa's leading trading nations and a key center of foreign, including US, investment in region. South Africa's economy alone accounts for 40 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa's total gross domestic product (GDP). Excluding oil imports, South Africa accounts for 60 percent of US trade with Africa and one-quarter of US capital investment in region. [1] South Africa's demonstrated commitment democratic governance and peaceful political change and its level of industrial and economic development in comparison other African states, along with its military capabilities, mark it as Sub-Saharan Africa's state. A pivotal state is one which is: so important that its collapse would spell transboundary mayhem: migration, communal violence, pollution, disease, and so on. A pivotal state's steady economic progress and stability, on other hand, would bolster [its] region's economic vitality and political soundness and benefit American trade and investment. [2] South Africa's emergence as Sub-Saharan Africa's pivotal state is of strategic importance for United States. During its tenure Clinton Administration has made an unprecedented effort foster engagement with nations of Sub-Saharan Africa, a region that has traditionally been of only peripheral strategic interest United States. For too much of this century, President Clinton said, the relationship between United States and Africa was plagued by indifference on our part. [3] One aim of President Clinton's March 1998 visit Sub-Saharan African was to persuade an American audience with few notions of continent that Africa not only exists, but matters. [4] The broad outlines of a US policy approach Africa began emerge in May 1993 when, in a speech African-American Institute, Secretary of State Warren Christopher announced that United States sought a new relationship with Africa. Unlike during Cold War, when US policies toward Africa were...determined not by how they affected Africa, but whether [they] brought advantage or disadvantage Washington or Moscow, American relations with African states would now be based upon our common interests and shared values. …