The Key Player in Africa – South Africa

Abstract

In 1996, a specialist writer called the Republic of South Africa a key state in the foreign policy relations of the United States, which, in many respects, has a huge advantage over the other states of the continent. But can the famous country, whose perception is still quite mixed, be able to live up to this idea? Since the 19th century, it has had a distinguished role, being a founder of the UN, but isolation and the emergence of apartheid, followed by more than four decades of rule, destroyed not only the country's international reputation but also its leading role in Africa. From the 1990s, with the softening and then the end of the system, the lost relations were rebuilt, and the Republic of South Africa gave priority to the African continent in the field of foreign affairs, thus meeting the expectations following Mandela's victory, according to which the country, breaking away from isolation, could become the leading political force on the continent. The dominance can also be observed in the economic sphere, with the southernmost state accounting for 40% of Africa's total industrial production. However, it has now become clear that the Republic of South Africa is unable to turn this superiority into a leading role. Neither its historical past nor its position in the world economy makes it suitable for this.