IPC1502
Assignment 3:
Title: The transformation of South Africa as an actor in
international politics.
1
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page number
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................3
2. Phase of Participation 1910 - 1960.................................................................4
3. Phase of Isolation 1960 - 1990........................................................................5
4. Mandela Era 1994 – 1999...............................................................................7
5. Mbeki and Motlanthe Era 1999 - 2008.........................................................13
6. Zuma Era 2008 - Present...............................................................................14
7. Conclusion....................................................................................................15
8. Bibliography..................................................................................................16
2
, 1. Introduction
For almost fifty years South Africa was regarded as a pariah state in
international politics. This was largely due to its Apartheid policy which
discriminated against its population based on racial criticism and effectively
stripped all non-white citizens of their rights.
During this time, the international community was enraged by the atrocities
that were being committed by the South African government. Many efforts
were put into place to protest against this racist legislation and to support the
struggle for freedom. South Africa became more excluded from international
politics until it was eventually excluded by and isolated from most of the
world. Many foreign states offered a safe haven for political refugees who
spent most of this time in exile.
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa has managed to
transform itself into an African power and regional giant and it is once again
recognised as an actor in international politics. This transformation from pariah
state to internationally recognised democracy may be referred to as the
transformation of South Africa as an actor in international politics.
It is of critical importance to understand one’s history before attempting to
build a brighter future and I would therefore like to discuss this transformation
of South Africa as an actor in international politics. For the purposes of this
essay I will divide South Africa’s history into five parts namely; the phase of
Participation, the phase of Isolation, the Mandela Era, the Mbeki and
Motlanthe Era and finally the Zuma Era.
3
Assignment 3:
Title: The transformation of South Africa as an actor in
international politics.
1
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page number
1. Introduction.....................................................................................................3
2. Phase of Participation 1910 - 1960.................................................................4
3. Phase of Isolation 1960 - 1990........................................................................5
4. Mandela Era 1994 – 1999...............................................................................7
5. Mbeki and Motlanthe Era 1999 - 2008.........................................................13
6. Zuma Era 2008 - Present...............................................................................14
7. Conclusion....................................................................................................15
8. Bibliography..................................................................................................16
2
, 1. Introduction
For almost fifty years South Africa was regarded as a pariah state in
international politics. This was largely due to its Apartheid policy which
discriminated against its population based on racial criticism and effectively
stripped all non-white citizens of their rights.
During this time, the international community was enraged by the atrocities
that were being committed by the South African government. Many efforts
were put into place to protest against this racist legislation and to support the
struggle for freedom. South Africa became more excluded from international
politics until it was eventually excluded by and isolated from most of the
world. Many foreign states offered a safe haven for political refugees who
spent most of this time in exile.
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africa has managed to
transform itself into an African power and regional giant and it is once again
recognised as an actor in international politics. This transformation from pariah
state to internationally recognised democracy may be referred to as the
transformation of South Africa as an actor in international politics.
It is of critical importance to understand one’s history before attempting to
build a brighter future and I would therefore like to discuss this transformation
of South Africa as an actor in international politics. For the purposes of this
essay I will divide South Africa’s history into five parts namely; the phase of
Participation, the phase of Isolation, the Mandela Era, the Mbeki and
Motlanthe Era and finally the Zuma Era.
3
