Superpower or neocolonialist? South Africa in Africa

This seminar will debate whether South Africa is still a leader and influential player in Africa.

Is South Africa still a leader and influential player in Africa? The post-apartheid government invested in peace initiatives in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa was hailed as an example of peaceful transition to democracy.

Today South Africa’s position on the continent is quite different. Initiatives like the African Capacity for Intervention in Crisis have failed to rally strong support and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is stepping down as chairperson of the African Union Commission after just one term.

What does this say about South Africa’s foreign policy? Is its focus on relations with BRICS nations like China? Are strategic partnerships with countries such as Nigeria likely? Liesl Louw-Vaudran, author of a new book on South Africa’s role in Africa, will debate these questions with experts in the field.

Chair: Stephanie Wolters, Head, Conflict Prevention and Risk Analysis division, ISS 

Speakers:

  • Liesl Louw-Vaudran, ISS Consultant
  • Dr Jakkie Cilliers, Head, African Futures and Innovation, ISS
  • Dr Siphamandla Zondi, Head, Institute for Global Dialogue and a member of SA Council on Foreign Relations
Development partners
The ISS is grateful for support from the following members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.
Related content