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

Their geographic proximity had a direct bearing on the early political ties between South Africa and then Southern Rhodesia. These links date back to the era of South African expansion, when the Union of South Africa--during the premierships of Louis Botha and Jan Smuts--was intent on incorporating not only SWA but also Rhodesia and the three British High Commission Territories (also known as "Protectorates") of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland. The British government initially supported this objective, at least for Southern Rhodesia. The problem, however, lay with the white (largely British) population of Southern Rhodesia, who in a referendum in 1922 rejected incorporation into the Union of South Africa. The 'little Jingoes', as Smuts branded them, disliked the growing assertiveness of Afrikaner nationalism in South Africa, which made them fearful of preserving their British heritage. (1)) Even so Smuts could still declare in 1946 (during his second stint as prime minister) that "I am always consulting Rhodesia. We are bed-fellows". (2)) After the NP's election triumph in 1948, the two supposed bedfellows drifted apart. The British, as the semi-colonial masters, wanted to steer Southern Rhodesia (which enjoyed dominion status) away from an Afrikaner-dominated South Africa committed to the relentless pursuit of apartheid. Britain's joining together of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland in the Central African Federation in 1953 was in large measure designed to serve as a counter to what the British saw as the spread of pernicious Afrikaner influence in Southern Africa.

Although its origins go back much further, the special relationship between South Africa and Rhodesia was only consummated after the dissolution of the Federation in 1963. "We believe that South Africa is among our best friends in the world", declared Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith in 1964. (3)) Following Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence in 1965, which set the country on a collision course with the international community, South Africa proved itself as a true friend in need. The three key principles of prime minister H F Verwoerd's policy towards Rhodesia were non-interference in the neighbouring country's internal affairs, a refusal to participate in international sanctions against Rhodesia, and an insistence that the conflict over the UDI should be resolved directly between the UK and Rhodesia instead of referring it to the UN. (4))