The relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe is multifaceted, encompassing historical ties, political dynamics, and economic interdependence. These connections have evolved significantly from the colonial era through the struggles for liberation and into the post-apartheid and post-independence periods.
Map of Southern Africa
Colonial Era and Early Relations
During the early colonial period, South Africa's ambitions to play a dominant role in the sub-region, as articulated by Jan Smuts, were thwarted by the Rhodesian settler community in the 1920s. Rhodesia moved towards self-governance, resisting closer amalgamation with the Union of South Africa.
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
By 1892, about 1,500 settlers from the south had arrived in Rhodesia. The railway reached Bulawayo in 1896 and Victoria Falls in 1904. By the following year there were 12,500 settlers in the country, and in 1909 gold exports were worth more than £2,500,000. In 1953 Southern Rhodesia had a European population of 157,000 and an annual revenue of more than £28 million.
A second principle in which Lord Malvern and most other Europeans in Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia) profoundly believed was that the two countries should be joined together, both for their mutual economic benefit and to ensure the establishment of a powerful state based on British culture and traditions.
Read also: Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority
Southern Rhodesia 1964
Liberation Movements and Ideological Alignments
The ambivalence between the two white settler governments had its equivalent in the relationship between the countries' liberation movements. ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) and ZAPU (Zimbabwe African People's Union), were aligned with Chinese and Soviet support respectively. Following the pattern of the Cold War, South Africa's Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and the African National Congress (ANC) paired up with their ideological comrades.
Post-Independence Challenges and Cooperation
Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 did not immediately usher in an era of cooperation between Robert Mugabe's ZANU and the ANC. Instead, the Lancaster House process established a framework that foreswore many of the aims of the revolutionary era.
In the economic sphere, the new government in Harare sought to protect South Africa's dominant position, and Pretoria renewed the preferential trade agreement of 1964. Politically, while allowing the ANC to establish an office in the capital, the Mugabe government did not permit Zimbabwe to be used as a staging area for guerrilla infiltration into South Africa.
Destabilization Policy
Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980 came with its own challenges. Most important was the threat posed by the apartheid regime in South Africa, which lasted until 1994. The South African government was concerned that the influence of independent southern African states like Zimbabwe would fuel similar efforts at home.
Read also: Discover Thula Thula
In a preemptive move, the regime implemented the infamous Destabilization Policy (1960-1990), designed to weaken and destabilize independent countries that could assist anti-apartheid movements in South Africa, such as Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Botswana.
Through a series of covert operations, the apartheid government provided support to rebels and opposition groups to undermine the governments of their independent neighbors. The Destabilization Policy resulted in regional instability as countries such as Mozambique and Angola became embroiled in lengthy civil wars sponsored by apartheid South Africa and the Western bloc during the Cold War.
Transition to Democracy in South Africa
The transition to democracy in South Africa, initiated with the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, cast a further shadow over the relationship. F.W. de Klerk's decision to abrogate the preferential trade agreement in 1992, while Zimbabwe underwent a painful structural adjustment program, caused additional economic disruption.
The textile industry in Zimbabwe was particularly hard hit, with duties raised to 70 percent and job losses affecting over 13,000 workers. The debate over South Africa's relationship with regional economic institutions like SADCC, SACU, and COMESA sparked discussions about the efficacy of SADCC. The ANC's decision to join the newly formed Southern African Development Community (SADC) underscored South Africa's dominant economic position in the region.
South Africa's Role in Regional Conflict Resolution
In August 1998, the re-ignition of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) saw unprecedented African intervention. This divided SADC between participants like Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, and those seeking a negotiated solution, such as South Africa, Botswana, and Mozambique.
Read also: Traditional South African Bread
The controversial South African and Botswanan military intervention in Lesotho in September 1998 to uphold democratic elections further exacerbated divisions within SADC.
South Africa, China and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's Foreign Policy and Regional Alliances
Zimbabwe has maintained cordial political and economic relations with SADC countries, forged during the struggle against colonialism and apartheid. Countries such as Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania wield greater influence on politics in the country.
Between 1980 and 1990, Zimbabwe militarily supported the FRELIMO government in Mozambique against the apartheid-sponsored RENAMO. Furthermore, between 1998 and 2002, Zimbabwe also fought in the Congo War alongside Angola and Namibia to defend the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) against a Rwandan and Ugandan-sponsored invasion.
Even though it is not a member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe is South Africa’s largest trading partner in the whole of SADC.
Political Shifts and the Government of National Unity
The impact of the MDC party became evident in the 2008 elections when the ruling party failed to secure a majority vote for the first time in the post-independence era. The disputed election results led to the negotiations brokered by former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, resulting in the Government of National Unity in 2009.
The recent Government of National Unity in South Africa has much to learn from Zimbabwe’s 2009-2013 experience, particularly in how political collaboration can positively drive economic progress and nation-building.
Lessons drawn from Zimbabwe and South Africa’s historical and political trajectories highlight the importance of robust democratic institutions, political collaborations, and peace and reconciliation in multi-party democracies across the African continent. Zimbabwe’s political history offers valuable insights into how political polarization can stifle economic progress.
Key Figures in Zimbabwe's History
| Name | Role | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua Nkomo | Nationalist Leader | Formed several political parties in the late 1950s, advocating for peaceful resolutions |
| Robert Mugabe | President of Zimbabwe | Led ZANU-PF, becoming the first prime minister of independent Zimbabwe |
| Morgan Tsvangirai | Leader of MDC | Challenged ZANU-PF's dominance, leading to the Government of National Unity in 2009 |
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
