HE GHULAM HOOSEIN ASMAL
The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of democracy in South Africa. This anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on the past 30 years and coincides with several historic milestones in South Africa’s fight for fundamental rights, freedom and dignity.
On this day, we recall that on 27 April 1994, millions of South Africans voted in a democratic election, many for the first time. This historic day marked the end of centuries of struggle, a struggle that the people ofSouth Africa endured with unwavering determination and international solidarity to overcome suffering, oppression, dispossession, exploitation, poverty, indignity, and inequality.
Under colonialism and settler-colonial apartheid, non-white South Africans were oppressed, dispossessed of their land and other means of livelihood, and systematically stripped of their fundamental human rights and dignity, including the right to vote and freedom of movement and association.
The rush for precious minerals in South Africa in the 1800s further deepened the poverty of non-whites and widened the socio-economic gap in the population. The liberation movement in South Africa fought for many years for a free and fair country where all citizens enjoyed full participation in all sectors of society and for South Africa to shed its pariah status in international relations and take its place as a responsible global citizen.
Thus, 27th April is aptly called Freedom Day.
South Africa has made great strides in redressing the imbalances created by oppression. When its Constitution was adopted in 1996, it proclaimed to the world that it is a society committed to democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. It is noteworthy that the Preamble of the Constitution states,“We the people of South Africa firmly state that the purpose of the Constitution is to: Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights;Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and, Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations.
By describing the Constitution’s purpose in these terms, the people of South Africa established it as an instrument of fundamental political, social, and economic transformation.
The Constitution of South Africa is a testament to the unwavering determination and resilience of the country’s people. It has provided a guiding light for collective efforts to fundamentally transform South Africa over the last three decades. The Constitution has played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s social, economic, and political landscape. It remains at the heart of ongoing work to build a better life for all South Africans, regardless of their race, creed, or background. Its provisions have been instrumental in promoting democracy, human rights, and social justice and have helped to ensure that South Africa is a country that is fair, just, and equal for all.
Before 1994, the international community ostracised South Africa due to its domestic policies that violated global norms and standards. However, since then, South Africa has successfully emerged as a responsible member of the world community and is committed to promoting political stability and socio-economic progress in Africa and across the globe. The ultimate goal is to create a better Africa and world for everyone.
South Africa’s foreign policy is guided by its national interests. It works towards improving the lives of all South Africans and building a better South Africa, a better Africa, and a better world. As the country reflects on the past 30 years of its foreign policy, it can be proud of its numerous achievements, particularly in advocating for global issues, restructuring global institutions, and promoting peace and security in Africa.
Since the beginning of the democratic era in 1994, South Africa’s international relations have grown exponentially. In 1994, South Africa hosted 68 diplomatic missions, while today, it hosts 309 diplomatic missions, including 132 embassies and high commissions.
Pretoria currently hosts one of the most significant diplomatic corps in the world. It is widely agreed that South Africa is the primary gateway to the African continent, driving continental integration and leading the Global South.
South Africa has made significant progress in its foreign policy in the last three decades. The country has actively promoted the restructuring of global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and advocated for a rules-based international order, multilateralism, respect for human rights, and the provision of peace, security, and socio-economic justice, particularly in Africa.
Its active participation in international forums such as the G20 (Group of Twenty), the IBSA Dialogue Forum (India, Brazil, and South Africa), and the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Forum, as well as its three terms on the UNSC, demonstrate its commitment to global issues and its role as a responsible global citizen.
South Africa believes that the situation in Gaza and the West Bank has become a humanitarian catastrophe, with an increasing number of innocent people losing their lives. The victims include children, women, older people, and vulnerable individuals.
South Africa has expressed its unwavering support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and has called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. As a nation that values justice, freedom, and the rule of law, South Africa stands in solidarity with Palestine and supports establishing a two-state solution.
In pursuit of this objective, South Africa has deliberately decided to approach the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice in The Hague for redress. The South African government has been clear in its application to the ICJ that it is committed to upholding its obligations to our shared humanity as a signatory of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
South Africa’s stance on this issue is rooted in its own experience of apartheid and racial discrimination, which it successfully overcame through peaceful means. The government believes that the same principles of peaceful negotiation and dialogue can be applied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and it supports all efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table to find a just and lasting solution.
South Africa has also been vocal in its condemnation of any attempts to delegitimise the Palestinian cause or label it as terrorism. It firmly believes that the right to self-determination is a fundamental human right that must be respected and upheld by all nations.
Although the progress cannot be denied, South Africa has faced and continues to face challenges that have and will continue to test its constitutional democracy.
The global financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 ended a decade of growth and faster job creation. The Russia-Ukraine conflict recently increased fuel prices, food, and other goods worldwide. South Africa endured the devastation of COVID-19, the worst global pandemic in over a century. More than 100,000 South Africans lost their lives, and two million people lost their jobs. Other significant challenges include the fight against Gender-Based Violence, the effects of climate change, and the conflict in the Middle East.
South Africa’s achievements over the last three decades are a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership to address its most pressing challenges.
The bilateral relations between the Republic of South Africa and the State of Qatar have been a remarkable foreign policy achievement.
These two nations have established a dynamic and robust partnership based on mutual respect, understanding and shared values. Both countries have worked together to promote peace, security and prosperity in their respective regions and beyond. Their collaboration has encompassed a wide range of areas, such as trade, investment, tourism, education, energy, and cultural exchanges. With their strong commitment to each other, South Africa and Qatar have set an inspiring example of how two countries can build a strong and enduring relationship to benefit their people and the world.
Diplomatic relations between South Africa and Qatar were established in 1994. Since then, the two countries have steadily grown their relationship in various areas, such as politics, the economy, and investment. The foundation of this relationship was laid when Nelson Mandela, the father of South Africa’s liberation, visited Qatar in 1995, soon after his inauguration as President of South Africa. In return, HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani visited South Africa.
Several high-level visits from officials of both countries have reinforced this relationship. Notable visits that have strengthened relations between the two countries include the first visit by HH Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in May 2002, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani’s visit to Pretoria in April 2017, and President Ramaphosa’s visit to Qatar in November 2023.
In November 2023, His Highness the Amir welcomed the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, on a state visit to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
HH the Amir discussed bilateral relations with HE President Cyril Ramaphosa during the visit and explored ways to support and develop them. Additionally, several MOUs were signed to cement the partnership between the two nations further.
In line with the objectives that were set for the State Visit based on South Africa’s sectoral cooperation with Qatar and to promote South Africa’s national interest, President Ramaphosa was accompanied by several Ministers: Dr Naledi Pandor, Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation; Ms Thoko Didiza, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform; Mr Ebrahim Patel, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition; Ms Thandi Modise, Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, and Ms Angie Motshekga, Ministry of Basic Education.
The solid political bilateral relations between South Africa and Qatar have laid the foundation for strengthened economic engagement commensurate with the cordial bilateral political relations.
Qatar is South Africa’s fifth-largest trading partner in the Middle East and a significant investor globally. Unlike its neighbours and fellow members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), South Africa’s investments in Qatar far surpass the latter’s investments in South Africa.
President Ramaphosa was also accompanied by a high-level business delegation facilitated by the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (DTIC). The delegation engaged the Qatari business community in various sectors to improve trade relations. The President also delivered opening remarks at a business roundtable South African and Qatari business representatives attended.
President Ramaphosa and Amir agreed to establish working teams to increase Qatar’s investment in South Africa and match the depth of the political relations. Meaningful discussions were held with HH the Amir on bilateral and geopolitical matters, notably the Israel-Palestine conflict. Several Ministers also held separate meetings with their Qatari counterparts.
Three bilateral Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit covering areas such as the Establishment of a Mechanism for Bilateral Consultations, which would upgrade current Senior Officials’ bilateral consultations to a Ministerial level, Cooperation on Basic Education, and Cooperation in the Fields of Empowerment of Women and Persons with Disabilities. Meaningful discussions were held with the HH the Amir on bilateral and geopolitical matters, notably the Israel-Palestine conflict. Several Ministers also had separate meetings with their Qatari counterparts.
The state visit successfully achieved South Africa’s objectives, significantly advancing economic potential regarding mutually beneficial investment between South Africa and Qatar and unlocking the potential for increased market access for South African goods and services.
As evidence of the strength of the relationship between the two countries in recent years, HE President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, participated in the first edition of the Doha Forum.
As the country looks towards the next 30 years of freedom, it must choose the kind of country and world it wants to create for itself and its children.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our country’s liberation, we reflect on the sacrifices and struggles of those who fought for our freedom. We must honour their bravery and determination, which gave us the opportunity to live in a democratic and fair society.
Furthermore, we should take this opportunity to celebrate the many rights guaranteed under the Constitution. These rights are the foundation of a united, inclusive, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous society. They provide us freedom of speech, expression, and association, as well as the right to vote and participate in our country’s decision-making process.
It is essential that we acknowledge the significance of these rights, as they are not only a privilege but also a responsibility.
We must use them wisely and ensure they are protected and upheld for future generations.
In conclusion, as South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom, let us pay tribute to those who fought for its liberation and commit ourselves to building a society that is just, equal, and prosperous for all and let us not forget our responsibility of advocating for all those around the world that are striving for the same ideals.
