I. -- FORMING AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Immediately after the 1994 elections, South Africa was no longer viewed as the outsider of the world. Indeed, few countries if any enjoyed the extraordinary goodwill, understanding and generous offers of assistance, South Africa did. The world was literally bending backwards to make South Africa the success story of Africa. The scene was set for a clean fresh start and the time to build international relations, couldn’t have been better.

(50*) Building international relationships, requires participation in existing structures, working to improve them and creating new structures. To help consolidate South Africa’s integration into the global arena, formal diplomatic representation is important. In 1994, there were only 65 South African foreign missions. By 2004, they increased to 105 South African missions in 91 countries; and by 2008, 121 missions in 105 countries. By 2007, Government had accredited more than 160 countries and organizations resident in South Africa. In June 2010 South Africa already reached the 200 mark. (51*) Information (20 December 2102) on the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Website (DIRCO), confirms its achievement in this regard:

Figure 3: South African and Foreign Representation

 

SOUTH AFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES ABROAD	TOTAL	FOREIGN REPRESENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA	TOTAL
Embassies/High Commissions	104	Embassies/High Commissions	123
Consulates/Consulates General	15	Consulates/Consulates General	53
Honorary Consulates/Honorary Consulates-General/Honorary Consular Agency/Honorary Vice-Consulates	84	Honorary Consulates/Honorary Consulates-General/Honorary Consular Agency/Honorary Vice-Consulates	79
Other (e.g. Liaison Office)	2	Other (e.g. Liaison Office)	1
Non-resident Accreditation	68	Non-resident Accreditation	18
International Organisations	9	International Organisations	35

 

 (52*) In Africa, South Africa became the focal point of growth and attracted the bulk of Africa’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Although President Mandela laid the foundation, Thabo Mbeki played an important role in increasing South Africa’s influence. This included amongst others, architecting NEPAD which aim it is to develop an integrated socio-economic framework for Africa. On a regional level, the focus shifted to developing policies to guide the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC).

“In the broader international arena, Government through Thabo Mbeki’s, acted as a vocal leader of the Non-Aligned Movement in the United Nations and while leveraging South Africa’s seat on the Security Council, agitating for reform of the Security Council”. 

South Africa’s standing in the outside world improved dramatically, leading to many multilateral conferences and major international events, hosted here. These include the Rugby World Cup (1995), the All Africa Games (1999), the WSSD (2002), the Cricket World Cup (2003), the inauguration of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) (2006) and the 2010 Soccer World Cup. These events created goodwill and opened up further avenues for building and strengthening international relations. 

South Africa also oversaw the successful building of economic bridges to BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations with the eventual formation of the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum.  Initiatives of this nature further political consultation and co-ordination and strengthen sectorial co-operation, and economic relations. 

The ANC government has performed well in this sphere of the forming process, with diplomatic success opening up new trade doors for South Africa.  

The Department of International Relations Cooperation (DIRCO) surely is one of the most successful Government Departments. 
  

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(50*) Source: Foreign Representation in South Africa – Department of Internal Relations and Cooperation

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dfa.gov.za%2Fforeign%2Fforrep%2Findex.htm&ei=7yOEUMvyEIaohAfdnYGwCA&usg=AFQjCNEVQQKAtBPRH9A3pH9Wc8iX9mAfqQ&sig2=y0JAe55izzrpt7erqEddZA

(51*) DIRCO Website: Information obtained 20 December 2012 

http://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/index.html 

(52*) Source: Wikipedia - Thabo Mbeki

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FThabo_Mbeki&ei=PzmFULa9Lc- yhAfIooCYBw&usg=AFQjCNEKGs5r5UVkXrb32ighXTeQ_PTtfw&sig2=FNEJP2db7TrVtEqqEby_vA