Use SA’s foreign policy to grow economy and improve livelihoods, experts tell ActionSA

20 June 2023

South Africa’s approach to foreign policy should be used in such a way that the country’s economic interests are achieved which will improve the livelihoods of people on the ground, academics, foreign policy experts and commentators told ActionSA at our foreign policy expert panel on Tuesday.

At a time when the South African government’s foreign policy has increasingly been shambolic with our approach to the Ukraine war possibly costing us access to crucial markets, it is important that political parties provide a clear policy alternative that would improve the lives of our people ahead of the national elections next year.

The engagement featured ActionSA President, Herman Mashaba, independent analyst and journalist, Peter Fabricius, Institute for Global Dialogue’s Arina Muresan, South African Institute for International Affairs’ Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, and University of Pretoria’s Dr Heather Thuynsma.

Mashaba mentioned that South Africa should use its presence on the international stage to promote South Africa, Southern Africa, Africa and the developing world’s socio-economic interests. Fabricius delved into the country’s so-called neutral stance toward the Russia-Ukraine war and how it has damaged South Africa’s reputation. Muresan explained the importance of international trade and how it can be used to foster economic growth.

Meanwhile, Sidiropoulos said aside from using trade to advance South Africa’s financial interest, foreign policy should also be informed by human values a country wants to advance and historical events that took place. Thuynsma said when communicating foreign policy, it is incredibly important to communicate how foreign policy affects an individual on the ground for it to matter to the electorate on the ground.

What also became clear from today’s discussion is the need for a united South African vision that we present on the international stage. This vision should be driven by integrity and the shared prosperity of our people, and the experts acknowledged that South Africa also has a responsibility to represent the interests of the Southern African region, Africa and developing nations.

Today’s expert panel – the fourth in a series of 11 such panels – forms part of ActionSA’s broader policy engagement process ahead of our inaugural policy conference in September where we are also asking experts, our members, and the people of South Africa for solutions to the most pressing issues in our society.

ActionSA believes that solutions on how to fix South Africa won’t come from politicians but will come from experts and ordinary citizens who are most affected. Together we will be able to provide a clear alternative for South Africans and usher in change in the 2024 elections. Submissions can be made on ActionSA’s public platform here.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, ActionSA President, 20 June 2023