In 1994, after the African National Congress’s electoral victory, the Republic of South Africa emerged as a promising regional foreign policy actor. The rise of a generation formed in one of the most epic global political struggles, its proclaimed commitment to promote peace and development and its promise to put human rights at the heart of its international relations seemed to open a new era in Africa.The new South Africa established itself as a key actor in the region, acting as a mediator and sending peacekeeping

The African National Congress (ANC) narrowly avoided a damaging split at the recently concluded 54 th national conference. South Africa is, however, firmly in a " muddling along " scenario. The result of the elections for the 86 elected members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) led by newly elected ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa reflects an organization that went into the conference sharply divided and it will take time for these divisions to subside. The recall of Jacob Zuma is one of the key decisions now confronting the NEC. The longer Zuma stays in power the better the opposition parties will do during the national and provincial elections in 2019. However, in spite of the narrow victory of Ramaphosa, Zuma and his incoherent, large cabinet may be recalled sooner rather than later to avoid a further downgrade of South Africa's long-term local currency debt ratings. Since Ramaphosa currently serves as deputy president of South Africa and therefore is a member of cabinet the problems associated with two centers of power (between Luthuli House and the Union Buildings) in the period leading up to national and provincial elections in 2019 are manageable. However, Zuma's announcement on fee-free education only hours before the start of the 54 th Conference clearly demonstrates the potential damage that he could wreak in the months that lie ahead, particularly given his stated intention to press ahead with a hugely expensive and superfluous nuclear energy deal. The question is how rapidly the NEC will unite behind Ramaphosa to recall him. Based on the forecasts presented in Fate of the Nation it seems likely that the ANC will retain its status as governing party during the 2019 elections, with around 53% of the vote, down from 62% in 2014. Such an outcome will avert the need for a coalition at national level. The ANC could however, lose its majority in the critically important Gauteng province. Only a coalition between the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) would be able to put together a governing opposition alliance in Gauteng – a difficult and unlikely partnership given the ideological distance between these two parties. This analysis effectively makes the EFF a potential 2019 kingmaker in Gauteng. The Western Cape, the only province currently governed by an opposition party (the Democratic Alliance), will retain that status and ANC support in rural provinces will remain firm, particularly given the focus on transition of land to rural communities as announced during the conference. The win by Ramaphosa has averted a major crisis for the ANC and it may yet retain Gauteng province (in alliance with others), but it is not going to be an easy ride. The ANC will, however, eventually emerge significantly more united than at present and the outcome may save the Tripartite Alliance that includes the South African Communist Party and labour union COSATU from disbandment. In terms of its foreign relations South Africa has its work cut out to rebuild the respect and trust of others. Generally, values such as democracy, human rights and good governance have found limited expression in foreign policy under Mbeki and Zuma (the Mandela era was an aberration), and it is unlikely that this will change under a Ramaphosa government although there may be some tonal adaptation. In addition, absent structural reform in the military, South Africa's ability to contribute to peacekeeping will continue its steady decline.

This article explains the foreign policy of South Africa from the period of 1994-2012. It explains the points of the dimensions of South Africa's foreign policy. " Continuity and Change of South Africa's Foreign Policy 1994-2012" focused to understand how and what effect, changing and significance has been there in the foreign policy of South Africa from the Mandela to Jacob Zuma time period. The foreign policy of South Africa has been important. The basic foreign policy of South Africa is to promote its territories, human rights, and peace. South Africa foreign policy has been relating to an apartheid policy which is a background of it. It examines the foreign policy in Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma presidential. It describes the foreign policy from apartheid to post-apartheid.

Full details of chapter Chris Landsberg, Lesley Masters, Jo-Ansie van Wyk, and Siphamandla Zondi. ‘South Africa’s Foreign Policy, Principles and Practice: An Invitation to Conversations’, in Lesley Masters, Siphamandla Zondi, Jo-Ansie van Wyk and Chris Landsberg (Eds.) South African foreign policy review. Volume 2. African Institute of South Africa (AISA): Pretoria. 2015. [ISBN 978-0-7983-0439-9]

President Thabo Mbeki will be stepping down in 2009, but the battle for succession has already begun. The political coalition that has supported him is on the verge of fracture. South Africa’s political turmoil is a concern not only for South Africans. The country plays a pivotal role on the continent, and Mbeki has carved out a position as a regional peacemaker and global player. Pretoria also figures prominently in U.S. plans for Africa. How South Africa handles this watershed crisis, in other words, will have serious regional and global implications.

A Foreign Policy Handbook for Parliament The Parliament of South Africa has a proud tradition of engagement in South Africa’s foreign policy. The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation (the Committee) has been engaged in debate on numerous issues, from human rights to economic diplomacy, in shaping South Africa’s approach towards international relations. As the new Committee begins the work of parliamentary oversight, there is an opportunity to reflect on the first two decades of post-apartheid South Africa’s foreign policy. http://www.igd.org.za/jdownloads/Monographs%20and%20Books/A%20Foreign%20Policy%20Handbook%20-%20ebook.pdf