Chapter 7: the special relationship between South Africa and Zimbabwe.

1. INTRODUCTION

Alphonse Karr's celebrated 19th century adage, "(t)he more things change, the more they are the same", is eminently applicable to South Africa's relations with Zimbabwe and previously Rhodesia. Things have changed profoundly over decades, from the days of Southern Rhodesia's status as a British colony to its inclusion in the ill-fated Central African Federation, thereafter Rhodesia's period of unilaterally declared independence, and eventually the era of an independent Zimbabwe ruled by a black former liberation movement. South Africa too underwent a political metamorphosis over these years, first when the Smuts government made way for the National Party (NP) in 1948, and the latter surrendered power 46 years later to another black liberation movement. Amid these changes, the two neighbouring countries have for most of the past four decades enjoyed a special relationship born of geographical contiguity, historical ties, economic interdependence, racial solidarity and shared political interests.

It is precisely because of the special nature of the relationship that South Africa's ties with Rhodesia during its 'independence' (1965-1980) became a contentious international issue. Likewise, the present dissension over South Africa's response to the turmoil in Zimbabwe has to be seen in the context of an ongoing special relationship between the two states. Paradoxically, the special relationship has given South Africa--whether under white or black rule--leverage but at the same time constrained it in dealing with Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

To understand South Africa's current relations with Zimbabwe--the focal point of this chapter--it is necessary to trace the origins of the special relationship. This is done in the first section. In the next section the temporary interruption of the special relationship during a period of open hostility is discussed briefly. The salient features of bilateral relations during Nelson Mandela's presidency are identified in the third part. This is followed, in the fourth section, by an outline of the current crisis situation in Zimbabwe. The fifth reviews foreign (excluding South African) reactions to the Zimbabwe crisis, followed by a discussion of South Africa's responses in the sixth section. The seventh investigates the reasons for the Mbeki government's persistence with quiet diplomacy in the face of widespread criticism. By way of conclusion, alternative approaches for South Africa are identified.

2. THE ORIGINS OF THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP