Introduction

South Africa holds a prominent position in Africa as a major economic force with one of the continent’s largest economies and high human development scores. It actively participates in regional UN Peacekeeping operations and hosts the Pan-African Parliament’s permanent seat. Additionally, South Africa wields considerable soft power, using its distinctive national history and narrative to influence global affairs through soft power. As a result, United States – South African relations have an outsized importance on US relations and interests with all of Sub-Saharan Africa, as South Africa’s regional influence helps dictate US ability to achieve its goals in the region.

Quick Facts

• Population: 60.6 million
  • Ethnic Breakdown: Black African (79.2%), Colored (8.9%), White (8.9%), Indian/Asian (2.5%), Other (0.5%)
• Capitals: Cape Town (Legislative), Pretoria (Administrative), Bloemfontein (Judicial)
• Official Languages: 12 (Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, and South African Sign Language)
• Government Type: Parliamentary Democracy
• President: Matemala Cyril Ramaphosa
• GDP: $419 Billion (2021)
• Currency: South African Rand

History

The connection between the US and South Africa traces back to 1799, during South Africa’s colonial period under the British Empire. In that year, the United States opened a Consulate in Cape Town, marking the initial diplomatic presence within the future borders of South Africa. Formal diplomatic ties were officially established in 1929 when South Africa gained autonomy within the British Empire.

Once South Africa achieved independence, the US identified the nation as a key potential ally in the region, which led it to support the new South African government. However, this decision became more difficult to justify when the new South African government implemented the system of Apartheid—a policy of segregation and discrimination based on race, against non-white South Africans. The US later adopted a ‘Communication‘ policy towards South Africa, aiming to strike a balance between strategic and economic concerns by cultivating favorable relations with the South African government. The goal was to encourage the regime to cooperate with the US and gradually persuade them to dismantle the Apartheid system. This led the US to become one of the few countries not to embargo South Africa, helping give the regime cover at the UN.

Concerned that its close ties to the Apartheid regime were straining relationships with other African nations, the US, during the Carter administration, started gradually reducing its diplomatic engagement with South Africa while still maintaining economic connections. However, due to the Angolan Civil War evolving into a proxy conflict between Marxist and anti-communist forces, the US sought military assistance from South Africa, which created conflicting messages about its stance on South Africa. However, public pressure continued to build to cut ties with the Apartheid regime, so when the Angolan Civil War died down, so did US support for South Africa, as there were no pressing security issues in the region, and therefore no strong justifications to support the regime. With the loss of its last major international partner, the South African regime, now led by F.W. deKlerk, pivoted towards working with Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress to bring an end to Apartheid.

Once the Apartheid regime fell, and the ANC was elected in the free and fair election of 1994, the US and South Africa developed closer relations. This was sparked by the personal friendship between US President Bill Clinton and Mandela. However, Mandela’s successor, Thabo Mbeki, and many members of the ruling ANC in South Africa, did not fully trust the US because of the prolonged period of cooperation with the apartheid government, which led to reduced cooperation between the two countries.

Relations between the two countries continued to swing with each new administration on either side, despite the strong economic ties. This has led South Africa to court geopolitical rivals of the United States, including Russia and China. In 2023, tensions escalated between the two countries when the US ambassador accused South Africa of supplying arms to Russia for the conflict in Ukraine, despite South Africa’s official stance of neutrality.

Strategic Interests

• Economic/Trade: Trade between the US and South Africa is strong, and South Africa is the largest African trading partner for the US. South Africa’s mineral wealth, including Platinum and Gold, is sought after by American industries. In return, South Africa’s primary import from the US is automobiles. However, South Africa is part of BRICS, an economic alliance with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aimed at boosting their economies collectively. This expansion could potentially divert South Africa’s economic interests away from the US.
• Military/Regional Security: The US and South Africa are major partners for promoting regional stability in the Southern Africa region. As a result, the US and South Africa cooperate on military and regional security issues, and the two countries conduct joint military exercises. The US military is involved in health initiatives by providing logistical planning. However, South Africa has also led joint exercises with Russia and China, highlighting how South Africa continues to refuse to align too closely with either the US or its geopolitical rivals.
• Global Health: The US and South Africa have a longstanding partnership working towards promoting global and regional health. The US has invested billions to PEPFAR, a program which helps prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR has invested heavily in South Africa, and the surrounding region, which had some of the highest rates of infection. This partnership expanded to cover other threatening diseases, such as Covid-19. This growth has ensured that the partnership remains a robust point of cooperation between the two countries.

Future Developments

The US will face competition from Russia and China in vying for influence in South Africa. South Africa is expected to use its differing relationships to maximize its own benefits, while carefully managing ties with the global powers to avoid upsetting any one of them. To maintain South Africa as a regional partner, the US must further develop and utilize economic and health connections. Building trust is crucial, given the historical context that still influences the relationship.