by DIRCO/Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers
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I am pleased by your attendance of this Public Lecture which seeks to reflect on South Africa’s foreign policy engagements. We have decided to base our interaction on an overview of South Africa’s foreign policy, its origins and manifestation.
South Africa’s foreign policy orientation
Let me begin by giving a broader foreign policy orientation. In this way we should be able to reflect on its evolution, principles and key objectives. I would like to state from the onset that we share a common history of colonialism with the Dominican Republic.
This is the same historical tragedy we share with many countries on the African continent and in the global South. We had to wage a struggle which was supported by the people and leadership of the African continent, the global South and peace loving people of the entire world. Other African countries gained independence before us and likewise they supported our cause.
Our liberation movements launched the struggle for liberation from different countries across the globe and were hosted in various countries in the global South. These countries risked destabilisation and aggression by apartheid South Africa, particularly our neighbouring states referred to as Front Line States which hosted the African National Congress (ANC) and other liberation movements.
Available: http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/speeches/2015/land1103.htm