Browsing by Author "Maphumulo, Simangele Monica"

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    The international relations policies of South Africa, 1990-2008
    (University of Zululand, 2019) Maphumulo, Simangele Monica
    This study aimed at examining the issue of participatory, or “democratic,” international relations’ policy making through the lens of International Relations Policy Analysis (IFPA), a theoretical approach that helped provide the definitional framework for the study. Various regime types and leadership characterised and shaped South Africa’s international relations policies during the epoch in question. This necessitated a theoretical and empirical exposition of the various thrusts and narratives of South African government’s international relations policies during crucial epochs in the country’s history. The 1948-1989 era saw the rule of National Party until the unbanning of the ANC. This was characterized by South Africa’s efforts to counter its growing international isolation and find friends wherever they could be solicited. Key problematizing issues included withdrawal from the Commonwealth; growing international isolation; strained ties with the United Nations; growing estrangement from the United States and traditional allies in Europe; growing ties with other global pariahs; clandestine propaganda and sanctions-busting efforts; and Pretoria’s efforts to build ties with African states. The period 1994-1999 witnessed the culmination of South African re-engagement efforts and saw the country, still basking in the afterglow of its successful transition under the rule of the African National Congress, play an active and outsized role in the international arena. However, South African international relations’ policy during this period also was marked by significant difficulties in balancing its idealist aims with more “realist” considerations. No longer was a global pariah, South Africa was ultimately compelled to make difficult geopolitical choices. The epoch 1999-2008 endorsed efforts to bring peace, democracy, and prosperity to the rest of Africa while positioning Pretoria as an influential actor both globally and on the continent. South Africa’s growing prioritization of the developing world; its global diplomatic expansion; Pretoria’s efforts to “punch above its weight” in the international arena, on such issues as reform of global governance structures; and its shift from a human rights focus in the early period to more “pragmatic” policies. What served as justification for this study is that these developments advocated the need to “democratize” international relations’ policy making, making it more participatory and open to inputs from broader society as well as ensuring legislative oversight to prevent the executive from policy unilateralism. This was best be demonstrated by delving into varying Presidencies on International Relations’ Policy Making and Ruling Regimes in perspective; international Relations’ Policy in the Period of Transition; as well as international Relations in the pragmatic era, disaggregating a plethora of protagonists involved in the process—both from the influencing and decision-making sides of the coin— analyzed their individual roles in the process of international relations’ policy democratization until 2008.
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    Understanding the nature and operations of India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) strategic mini lateral collaboration: 2009-2020
    (University of Zululand, 2024) Maphumulo, Simangele Monica; Mdiniso, J. M.; Gumede S. S.
    The India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperation Forum (IBSA) was established through a ground-breaking initiative by Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Lula da Silva, and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This initiative was exceptional because it united three substantial, economically robust, and dynamic countries from different developing continents. Brazil stands as the largest economy in Latin America, India accounts for one-fifth of the world's population, and South Africa is seen as a crucial driver for development within the African continent. Each of these nations has experienced rapid economic growth in recent years and has become increasingly integrated into global production networks with expanding international enterprises. The IBSA collaboration raised numerous positive expectations on economic, political, and developmental fronts. If successful, it could not only exemplify South-South cooperation but also enable each IBSA country to act as a catalyst for growth and development in their respective regions. The IBSA forum aimed to leverage the unique strengths and complementarities of India, Brazil, and South Africa to promote cooperation across various domains. This study delves into the nature and operations of IBSA's strategic collaboration from 2009 to 2020, focusing on the emerging trade geography and the broader implications of such a partnership. The initiative was envisioned to foster mutual growth and development, with the potential to significantly impact global economic governance and multilateral trade negotiations. Despite over a decade of collaboration, the full potential of IBSA's strategic partnership remains underexplored. The integrative efforts of these three nations have faced several challenges, including limited resources and institutional weaknesses within developing countries. Consequently, there is a need to comprehensively understand the dynamics of IBSA's cooperation, its impact on economic and developmental outcomes, and the barriers hindering its success. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the nature and operations of IBSA's strategic collaboration and its implications for economic, political, and developmental spheres. The specific objectives to examine the characteristics of the emerging IBSA trade geography; explore existing and potential areas of synergy and competition among the IBSA countries; project the impact of IBSA liberalization, considering scenarios of partial and full trade liberalization; and identify the hurdle and challenges faced at national, regional, and multilateral levels in achieving IBSA's goals. This study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing secondary data sources such as trade statistics, policy documents, and academic literature. The research methodology includes thematic analysis to identify patterns and trends in IBSA's collaboration. The study also incorporates scenario analysis to project the potential impacts of different levels of trade liberalization among the IBSA countries. The findings reveal that while the IBSA collaboration has yielded some positive outcomes, its success has been moderate due to various challenges. The study identifies significant areas of synergy in trade, investment, and economic policies, as well as areas of competition that need to be managed effectively. The analysis shows that partial and full trade liberalization could have substantial positive effects on sub-sectors and overall welfare, but realizing these benefits requires overcoming institutional weaknesses and resource constraints. The study recommends that the IBSA countries should intensify their efforts to harness the synergies of trilaterally conceived projects and value additions rather than focusing solely on bilateral relations. Enhancing institutional capacities and mobilizing resources are crucial for achieving the strategic objectives of the IBSA partnership. Moreover, fostering a common approach to global and regional issues and encouraging the exchange of experiences can further strengthen the collaboration. In conclusion, the IBSA Trilateral Cooperation Forum holds significant potential for reinforcing the economic strengths of India, Brazil, and South Africa by synergizing their complementarities. Despite the moderate success of various initiatives due to resource and institutional constraints, the study underscores the importance of trilateral cooperation in promoting sustainable development and economic growth. Moving forward, a more integrated and synergistic approach is essential for maximizing the strategic value of the IBSA partnership and achieving its long-term goals.