Fascinating article, thank you. Does it sightly skirt around the fact that South Africa used to have far more influence than it does now because it used to be clearly more functional than any other African state, with a massively superior economy, and that is no longer the case?
If RSA could even lead SADC more effectively in the lengthy laundry list you mention it might learn enough to help move the AU forward on coordinated positions.
I do wonder if it is too liberal on social issues but be accepted as a leader of the other parts, even of SADC.
But when you are busy with your snout in the trough or looking for another trough and the country collapsing all around you, the ANC haven't really got time or have priority of international thinking and diplomacy.
After the disgrace of Zuma Ramaphosa was thought to right the wrongs. But he hasn't. Things are worse.
This post claims to address South Africa’s policies at the highest diplomatic political and economic levels, yet ignores the elephant in the room and fails to discuss trade & investment with any form of accuracy, apart from one hushed reference to ‘losing the US market’, as if
It is plausible to state, impossible to overstate, the relevance of the fact that China is the country’s largest trade and investment partner, by a large margin
To describe membership of BRICS as a ‘dalliance’ is contempt masked in faux flippant
This post is the little brother of those which puzzle, frown and condescend while treating as ‘incomprehensible’ the changes in alliance made in many countries in Africa, especially with regard to security
And contains threats, such as - ‘The fact that Washington chose to publicly confront South Africa over the alleged weapons sale suggests that continued friendliness with Russia is likely to come with a price.’ – which contradicts the bon mot the US invented for itself and which has never disappointed – to be an US enemy etc etc but to be a friend is fatal’
The content and attitude expressed by the author is neocolonialism at it’s dullest
Fascinating article, thank you. Does it sightly skirt around the fact that South Africa used to have far more influence than it does now because it used to be clearly more functional than any other African state, with a massively superior economy, and that is no longer the case?
If RSA could even lead SADC more effectively in the lengthy laundry list you mention it might learn enough to help move the AU forward on coordinated positions.
I do wonder if it is too liberal on social issues but be accepted as a leader of the other parts, even of SADC.
But when you are busy with your snout in the trough or looking for another trough and the country collapsing all around you, the ANC haven't really got time or have priority of international thinking and diplomacy.
After the disgrace of Zuma Ramaphosa was thought to right the wrongs. But he hasn't. Things are worse.
This post claims to address South Africa’s policies at the highest diplomatic political and economic levels, yet ignores the elephant in the room and fails to discuss trade & investment with any form of accuracy, apart from one hushed reference to ‘losing the US market’, as if
It is plausible to state, impossible to overstate, the relevance of the fact that China is the country’s largest trade and investment partner, by a large margin
To describe membership of BRICS as a ‘dalliance’ is contempt masked in faux flippant
This post is the little brother of those which puzzle, frown and condescend while treating as ‘incomprehensible’ the changes in alliance made in many countries in Africa, especially with regard to security
And contains threats, such as - ‘The fact that Washington chose to publicly confront South Africa over the alleged weapons sale suggests that continued friendliness with Russia is likely to come with a price.’ – which contradicts the bon mot the US invented for itself and which has never disappointed – to be an US enemy etc etc but to be a friend is fatal’
The content and attitude expressed by the author is neocolonialism at it’s dullest
"Of course South Africa has every right, as a sovereign state, to pursue foreign policies that advance its strategic interests".
Not according to some, Ken. Check . . . https://les7eb.substack.com/p/washingtons-ukraina-grandioznaya
Kenya rates a mention. BTW - You certainly deserve more reader comments.