Issued by Siyakudumisa Zicina on behalf of the Foundation 13/08/2024

Introduction:

This is the fourth article in the series that focuses on the impact of Western elections on South Africa. The first article looked at the American elections, the second at the French elections and the third at Europe generally. This article seeks to examine the future of the United Kingdom (“UK”) and South Africa’s relation following Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour coming to power with a landslide majority after the party was on the oppositional bench for 14 years.

UK-SA Ties: From Colony, Foe to Partner?

“South Africa’s relationship with Britain has been and continues to be the most complex, yet very important”, says Gustavo De Carvalho, Senior Researcher at the South African Institute of International Affairs (“SAIIA”). The ties between the two countries can be traced back to the late 18^th century. One report states that Britain’s relationship with South Africa began in 1795, making the country a British colony until its independence in 1961. South Africa’s relations with Britain became strained during Apartheid as international pressure against the government mounted. However, this changed after former President FW de Klerk announced his party’s (“National Party”) determination to end apartheid on 2 February 1990.

Today, the two countries share strong bilateral relations that stretch from cultural ties to trade partnerships. (South Africa is among the UK’s largest trading partners in Africa.) While the founding dynamics between the two nations did not allow for a partnership, their relations narrate a remarkable story of maintaining, continuing and improving traditional relations despite change. The question now is: How will Sir Starmer’s administration affect UK–South Africa relations?

Changes in the UK That Matter for South Africa:

Resetting bilateral relations with the Global South remains one of the top three priorities for Starmer’s administration, says Alex Vines, Head of Chatham House’s Africa Programme. The Labour Party claims within its manifesto that it seeks to “…deliver a new approach to the African continent to foster opportunities for mutual long-term benefits”, an approach that will certainly not exclude its longstanding partner, South Africa. Indeed, Starmer’s administration appears enthusiastic about improving ties between the UK and South Africa after the Prime Minister placed a call with President Ramaphosa on 7 July 2024 to express his interests in strengthening relations with Pretoria.

Britain’s new approach towards South Africa appears to prioritise the following:

• Strengthen and improve diplomatic, cultural and political ties between the UK and South Africa: Efforts regarding this priority are already ongoing as the South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, is set to visit London to meet his British counterpart.
• Strengthen trade relations between the UK and South Africa for economic growth and the eradication of inequality.
• Use the G20 as a platform to advance shared interests between the UK and South Africa (from climate change priorities, the just energy transitions to investments).

As the leaders pledge to deepen UK–South Africa relations on trade, energy transition and shared goals, the winds of change in Britain will certainly impact South Africa’s sustainable development.

Conclusion:

Globally much remains to be seen regarding 2024 being the year that “makes or breaks democracy”. Fortunately for South Africa and the UK, this year’s elections did not only make, but seem to have strengthened the respective democracies.