Navigating SA, US Relations: A diplomatic Tea or a Political Tee-Off?

Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov

UKRAINE'S Head of State’s visit to South Africa heralded a move in the right direction for potential negotiations to maintain peace and security of its people and natural resources.

Although the Ukrainian diplomatic visit did not matter much to Russia, the United States did not seem pleased because it continued to increase tariffs against South Africa. Withdrawing US AID from South Africa, the American administration seemed oblivious and unsympathetic to the plight of HIV afflicted patients and the subsequent domino effect. 

A few months prior, South Africa sought to maintain peace and security in the Middle East when it brought an action at the International Court of Justice in support of Palestinians, asserting that apartheid is a crime against humanity, and that genocide, as is acknowledged by all modern nations today.

Much has unfolded in recent months, culminating in the Trump administration offering refugee status for an alleged crime committed by the South African government against South Africa’s white Afrikaner minority. The details of this refugee-based offer are couched in US discrimination legislation, leaving much food for thought. 

Once more, the high tea planned between heads of state, President Ramaphosa and Trump may well be on teeing off on the course. Will they make it to the 19th hole still sipping tea? President Ramaphosa will address these matters during tea whilst he potentially tees off with Ernie Els and some South African white Afrikaner refugees on American soil. 

As this political drama unfolds in the global sandbox, some enjoy playtime more than others. Meanwhile, the powers embark on robust decisions to ensure political, economic and military security. BRICS has emerged as a formidable regional organisation with non-conformist ideals that have paved the way for non-territorially close nation-states to become part of the regional organisation.

Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have welcomed Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE into their family with several others queuing to become part of an initiative that defies Western-based domination. Spurned mostly by the founding Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS maintains its founding ideals but remains culturally inclusive and open for dialogue with respect and tolerance. 

As China remains focused on economic security, India relies on manufacturing and cheap labour, flouting international labour and human rights standards. China persists in rapid manufacturing suitable for markets the world over. Depending on the market destination, China tailors its manufacturing standards, acknowledging its strong foothold as it continues to serve major houses across Western Europe.

Meanwhile, Brazil is in for the ride, hopeful for development and a revised economic order that needs reform. Russia, on the other hand, maintains its firm stance on military security, vying with no other. Despite its ageing weaponry, developmental and trade ties with Iran and its allies open many doors to secure military dominance, as demonstrated in the recent Indo-Pak conflict, whose roots have little or no veracity.

 South Africa, not just the gateway to African economics, military armament and natural resource abundance, remains integral to the BRICS. Zambia’s copper, for example, has China as the primary destination. Ethiopia and Egypt have little to offer with tourism, crafts, the United Nations Habitat’s test tube sustainable housing matters, inter alia, creating a closer territorial link to the Global North. The Global South is not left behind as China partners with Ethiopia for low-grade manufacturing trade on the continent. 

South Africa has a more critical role: its genesis in apartheid. This, South Africa viewed, as a startling catapult to the international human rights arena when it launched the application at the ICJ against Israel.

In so doing, not only did South Africa make herself heard as the modern apartheid opponent but also as the vicegerent for the draconian apartheid epoch, which is never to be repeated. Whether South Africa is successful or not remains to be seen because the ICJ depends on funding for its continued relevance and existence. Contributions from China, Russia – BRICS P2S in the United Nations Security Council’s P5  – and the US sustain the ICJ. 

And, the US opposes this stance, slinging back at South Africa, claiming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, stating that Israel belongs to the Israelites. Spearheading NATO, the US is bent on welcoming Ukraine into the Western-dominated democratic thought. Russia will not permit such a break from Soviet communist ideals because this would mean that the former USSR states will fragment into variegated political dominions, making it nigh impossible for decision-making, thus weakening its global political and military prowess. 

Against this backdrop, as South Africa’s head of state makes his way to tea for teeing off with the US’s head of state, all hangs in the balance for the diplomatic dialogue to smooth over creases, even if they are temporary.

Well known for his role in CODESA as the ANC’s chief negotiator, South Africa’s President Ramaphosa’s articulation of thought, skilful negotiation and sheer emotional intelligence and sobriety will allow him to read the course that the US’s head of state tees off. President Ramaphosa navigated arduous political terrain, opening the room for multi-party views, negotiating a sustained settlement.

This dawn broke with the sun rising well on its way to a government of national unity enshrined in a constitution that exemplified human rights, accountability, transparency and parity. However, this seems naïve for hosting a dialogue demands some common ground rules at the very least. Like attracts like. It would do good for the South African head of state to keep South Africa’s side of the street clean.  

Notoriously, the US head of state does not give much time for planning, but impulsive execution appears to be his forte. When such execution plays itself out, South Africa’s head of state should be meticulously mindful that well-grounded lawyering skills may have to be set aside, for street-smart language may prove best if the 19th hole is teed. 

* Dr Nazreen Shaik-Peremanov is a University of Cambridge Wolfson College Scholar and a former member of the University of Fort Hare's Nelson Mandela Law School.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.