How Taiwan Became a Divisive Wedge Issue in South Africa
South Africa's opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), now sees the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party's close ties to China as a vulnerability that the DA aims to exploit. Evidence of this new strategy came in December when the DA mayor of Pretoria, Solly Msimanga, made an independent trip to Taiwan, sparking immediate outrage from the Chinese government, the South African foreign ministry and the ANC who all decried it as a violation of SA's commitment to the "One China Policy."
Msimanga did not go to Taiwan to rattle the Chinese or even make a statement on Pretoria's foreign policy priorities, according to political analysts. Instead, his intent was laser-focused on hitting the ANC and president Jacob Zuma where they are vulnerable: China.
Over the past five years, Zuma has decidedly shifted South Africa away from the West and towards China. The move should not come as a surprise given that China is now South Africa's largest trading partner and one of its largest sources of foreign investment. The relationship, though, between these countries goes deeper than just trade and economics. In many was, Zuma is modeling South Africa's political system on China's where the power of the state is fused together with that of the ruling party.
Independent Johanessburg-based journalist Ufrieda Ho has been following the political drama set off by Msimanga's Taiwan visit and how China is fast becoming a divisive political issue in South African politics.
Join the discussion. Do you think Msimanga was right to challenge Zuma by going to Taiwan or was it inappropriate for a local mayor to venture into international politics to make a point back home? Tell us what you think.
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Twitter: @eolander | @stadenesque
Digital Business Expert | Founder @ Sikaditech
7 年How beneficial is China-SA's relationship compared to that between Taiwan and South Africa? What's the current economic climate in SA? And is it necessary to protect the trade policy between China and SA given the current economic climate? What trade deal did the Mayor concluded with Taiwan? Which policy did such deal break? Trade policy should mostly protect the interests of the people not that of the political parties.
Digital Marketing Director | Headbrid Digital Marketing Agency (SA) | Passionate about driving growth for clients ??
7 年For me, there are two questions to explore, to begin with- One:What is South Africa's Foreign Policy position regarding SA and Taiwan? Two: What are bilateral treaties between SA ???? and Taiwan????? Once we are (South Africans) are clear with the above questions, then we will apply our minds and speak in the 2019 election. Otherwise, South Africa is a polarized nation, politically and class wise. Depending on which side of political fence one is on, the lines are always blurred. But that of which is the law and policy of the country is not ambiguous, it's binding to all citizens. It comes to one basic and logical point, did the Mayor break the law of the Republic or not? And we abide by the law. Otherwise, the rest is just political gossip...??