Since the Soviet Union's collapse and the Cold War's end, Western powers believed they had witnessed the triumph of the liberal democratic model and the unquestioned dominance of Western values worldwide. Francis Fukuyama, in his book "The End of History and the Last Man," posited that Western liberal democracy represented the final form of government for all nations, thus reinforcing the supremacy of Western political values.[1]

However, non-Western political ideologies have flourished since then, with alternative forms of government developing. China is steadily becoming the world's leading economic power, despite its government being far from liberal and democratic. Singapore, now boasting a GDP per capita and living standards surpassing most Western countries, remains a one-party state that controls media and individual liberties. Russia, as the world's foremost nuclear power, challenges European hegemony in Africa.

In recent years, non-Western powers have not only assumed more significant roles in global politics but have also united to challenge Western domination. To encompass this non-Western world, American writer and New Left activist Carl Ogelsby coined the term "Global South" in 1969.[2] The Global South concept includes countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean that share common challenges related to development, inequality, and historical marginalization.

From the Non-Aligned Movement to a more conscious Global South, the ongoing shift in global dynamics is undeniable. At the forefront of this global transformation, South Africa stands as one of the leading nations supporting Global South policies to construct an alternative world order.

Historical Roots 

South Africa's history forms the foundation of its current support for the Global South. The country experienced multiple waves of colonization, beginning with the Portuguese in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch in the late 17th century, and later the British Empire in the 19th century. In 1934, the Status of the Union Act granted South Africa full sovereignty within the British Empire. Shortly thereafter, under the influence of Afrikaner nationalism and white supremacy, apartheid rules were implemented in 1948, marking the start of a prolonged struggle for equal rights and against all forms of colonialism.

During this fight, led by Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC), the anti-apartheid movement gained widespread support from other Global South nations. For instance, the ANC forged strong ties with the Algerian Front de Liberation National (FLN) and became the first resistance movement to be hosted in Algeria, establishing its international bureau in downtown Algiers in 1963.

Founded in 1912, the ANC is a center-left party that can be considered a social democratic African nationalist party. As a National Liberation party, it inherently possesses an internationalist dimension. Its primary objective is to "unite the African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change.”[3] The ANC's connections to the Global South are evident in its ideological foundations. It has consistently maintained strong ties with National Liberation parties across Africa and received support from socialist and communist governments or parties in Latin America. Interestingly, while South Africa fought against Cuba during the Angolan Civil War (1975) under apartheid rule, Cuba remained a steadfast supporter of the ANC. Following the fall of apartheid, the two nations established strong diplomatic ties.

During the Apartheid regime, South Africa's role in the Global South primarily focused on securing support from other national liberation movements and lobbying for Western sanctions against the South African state. The African National Congress (ANC) considered ending the Apartheid regime through international pressure, domestic political struggle, and the use of violence as its primary objective. Following the end of Apartheid in 1990, South Africa shifted its focus towards exporting its knowledge and skills to fight colonialism worldwide. This transition is evident in South Africa's foreign policy, which evolved from alignment with the Non-Aligned movement to a more assertive role in the Global South and international institutions.

South African Current Role 

South Africa's initial approach to promoting the Global South vision involved engaging with the Non-Aligned Movement. The goal was to foster a multipolar world and create more cooperation opportunities for Southern countries without succumbing to bloc logic. Aligning with a single bloc would have limited many Global South countries' options. Furthermore, South Africa's foreign policy has emphasized Economic Diplomacy and Trade Relations. By establishing strategic trade partnerships with other Global South nations, South Africa seeks to diversify its economic ties and decrease dependence on traditional Western markets. The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum exemplifies South Africa's commitment to building strong economic networks that support mutual growth and development.

South Africa has taken several political stances in favor of the Global South. The country recognized the necessity of South-South dialogue on various issues such as economic development, cultural diplomacy, migrations, and international affairs. For instance, South Africa advocated for reforms in international financial institutions, seeking to make them more inclusive and responsive to the needs of developing countries.

Additionally, South Africa oriented its Foreign Policy toward the challenges posed by climate change and actively worked toward sustainable development and climate justice. Acknowledging that developing countries are disproportionately affected by climate change, South Africa launched initiatives for technology transfer, capacity building, and financial support for adaptation and mitigation efforts in the Global South.

South African leadership in the Global South is evident through its participation in alternative international organizations, forums, and groupings. The BRICS alliance stands out as a prime example. Initiated in 2006 in Saint Petersburg on the sidelines of the G8 by the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the group was initially known as BRIC. Formalization occurred a year later with the first BRIC Foreign Ministers' Meeting. South Africa formally joined in September 2010, adding the "S" to create BRICS.

The BRICS alliance defines itself as "an important grouping bringing together the major emerging economies from the world, comprising 41% of the world population, having 24% of the world GDP and over 16% share in the world trade [as per the World Bank data, 2019]." BRICS countries have consistently been the main engines of global economic growth over the years. Throughout their collaboration, BRICS nations have convened to deliberate on crucial issues under three primary pillars: political and security, economic and financial, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.”[4]

More recently, South Africa's position toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has perfectly illustrated the more assertive role the country is now endorsing. On December 29, 2023, following the Israeli offensive that destroyed large parts of Gaza, killed thousands of civilians, and led to massive population displacements, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice against Israel. The country alleged that Israel was breaching the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in its military assault.[5] As of now, 12 countries have shown interest or filed a “declaration of intervention” to join this case.

While South African support for Palestine is not new, the current method of support is. The particularity lies in South Africa's utilization of existing international institutions to promote its values and defend its objectives. Until now, the Global South has mainly advocated for a New World Order based on new international institutions, as the current ones such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and others are perceived as dominated and instrumentalized by Western powers.

Critics may argue that this legal action initiated by South Africa has no real impact on the situation on the ground. Since neither Israel nor the USA are part of the Rome Statute, and therefore do not recognize its authority, enforcing international law on these two nations is impossible. History has shown that when major global powers are not part of an international institution, failure in reaching its objectives is likely. The League of Nations, for instance, failed largely due to the disengagement of the USA. However, these criticisms inadvertently highlight the necessity for a new international system inclusive of all nations. In other words, they underscore the need for an Alternative World Order.

Toward an Alternative World Order

South Africa continues to adapt and advocate for a fairer international system as the world evolves. The South African Government states: "South Africa advances its interests at the global level through its membership of and participation in United Nations (UN) programmes and forums. Accordingly, over the medium term, South Africa planned to continue promoting and advancing its foreign and domestic policy imperatives, which include advancing the African Agenda on peace and security, human rights, and economic and social development, as well as supporting the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”[6]

In defending its vision of an Alternative World Order, South Africa aims at a more independent African continent with deeper integration between nations. For this reason, the country actively participates in various African organizations and forums, with plans to increase involvement in existing ones and create new platforms for African integration. As part of the South African Development Community, South Africa has expressed interest in enhancing trade relations and reducing conflict in Southern Africa.

South Africa is also committed to reinforcing its broader South-South cooperation. Leveraging a rich network of 30 diplomatic missions in the Middle East and Asia, the country is currently working on improving bilateral relations with nations in these two regions to boost its exports of goods and services in the coming years. Additionally, South Africa is striving to become more attractive for foreign direct investment, especially in the sectors of technology, tourism, and mining.

In Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean, South Africa has already established ties with several countries and aims to expand its network. Connections with Brazil are strengthening through the BRICS platform, further solidifying South Africa's global presence.

However, internal political crises may limit South Africa's leadership potential in the Global South. Domestically, economic inequality and political instability can undermine its capacity to lead effectively on the global stage. Concerned by domestic economic or political crises, the nation's focus might shift toward resolving national issues as a priority.

In the last 30 years, the African National Congress (ANC), governing the country, has failed to eradicate poverty and racial inequalities left from the Apartheid era.[7] Consequently, the ANC recently failed to win a majority in the South African parliament,[8] potentially discrediting the country's ambition to export its governing model to other Southern nations.

Traditionally, the ANC has been an internationalist party. However, forming a coalition to govern South Africa might lead the ANC to make certain concessions in its international aspirations. Instead, it may focus more on internal political struggles and satisfying the needs of its domestic population. Externally, the dominance of established powers and the complex dynamics of international relations pose significant hurdles to achieving a truly multipolar world order.

Conclusion

South Africa's actions in support of the Global South have proven pivotal in shaping an Alternative World Order. Its ambition to forge a new international community founded on principles of justice, equality, sustainability, and global equity challenges Western hegemony while presenting opportunities for many countries worldwide.

While South Africa clearly opposes colonialism and all forms of neo-colonialism, it's important to note that its foreign policy isn't directed against Western nations. Rather, it focuses on promoting historically marginalized nations of the Global South. The recent South African legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice in December 2023 exemplifies the country's significant role within international organizations.

Simultaneously, South Africa plays a key role in developing new ties and organizations to counterbalance Western hegemons in the international arena. This is evident in its deeper involvement with the African Union, advocating for greater African integration. The creation and subsequent enlargement of BRICS in 2023 further illustrates this commitment.

As the world becomes increasingly multipolar and conflicts spark globally, the international community faces complex challenges. In this context, South Africa's contributions to the Global South's aspirations for a fairer and more inclusive international system remain indispensable.

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