The comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between South Africa and China : a geopolitical case study considering African realism (2010–2015)

Abstract

Following the end of the Cold War and apartheid, both South Africa and China were rising politically and economically in a globalised multi-polar world order. South Africa rose to prominence after the first democratic elections in 1994, inspired by the liberation struggles of the African National Congress founded on the Freedom Charter, the national democratic revolution and the iconic persona of Nelson Mandela. "Made in China", on the other hand, has become the international trademark of the People's Republic of China, bolstered by "Chinese exceptionalism" since the introduction of the "Opening-up and reform" policies by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1980s. Chinese influence has since then infused the globe, laying the foundations of the "China dream", sustained by more than three decades of exponential growth in the gross domestic product. Sino-South African diplomatic relations were only formalised in 1998. By ending diplomatic links with Taiwan and endorsing the "One China" policy, South Africa became China's most strategic partner in Africa, driven by the export of bulk mineral resources. Yet, the asymmetrical balance of trade between the biggest nation in the world and the biggest economy on the African continent, raised concerns about possible past colonial and imperialistic tendencies. Yet, state-to-state relations between South Africa and China followed an upward economic trajectory and led to the conclusion of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CSPA) in August 2010. With ascension to the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) grouping in mid-2011 actively promoted by China, South Africa was catapulted into a different international league. Built on historic mutual interests and shared values, both states actively promoted a transformational agenda, focussing on traditional Brenton-Woods institutions like the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, whilst also establishing the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB). South Africa nonetheless soon experienced the challenges and expectations of a new democracy as the idealistic veneer of democratic freedom diminished. The country faced serious challenges because of lower than expected economic growth, unemployment, crime, weak service delivery and questionable leadership, exacerbated by serous patterns of systematic decay. Matters were made worse internationally when South Africa's image was tarnished for taking popular rather than principled decisions, protecting the constitutional imperatives of the much-acclaimed South African Constitution. Allegations of a shadow state infested with well-connected networks operating in almost every sector of society and fuelled by serious patterns of patronage and self-help, affected the legitimacy of the South African government. This was especially true for President Jacob Zuma, elected in 2009. This thesis uses the two elements of the meta-theory of African realism, namely neopatrimonialism and inverted legitimacy, to establish if comprehensive strategic partnerships such as the CSPA, are in the best interest of South Africa or not.