New powers, new policy

The government reshapes strategy to address new political realities - and life after Thabo Mbeki

A growing and diversified economy, a liberal constitution, a big army and residual post-apartheid moral high ground makes Tshwane (formerly Pretoria) a natural centre for African diplomacy. It is also an essential staging post for outsiders seeking to improve economic and political ties with Africa. Yet, like much of Africa, South Africa's diplomats have been slow to react to the rapid growth of the Chinese and Indian economies and the restructuring of the former Soviet countries, with which the ruling African National Congress (ANC) had strong ties.

Article Tags:
Chinese, Indian, Russia, , Vladimir Putin, Viktor Vekselberg, Thabo Mbeki, , Alec Erwin, Brazil, Aziz Pahad, Liu Guijing, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Angola, Sudan, United States, Condoleezza Rice, Jendayi Frazer, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, , George W. Bush, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Britain, Japan, Iran, , Manouchehr Mottaki, Israel, Lebanon, Angola, Nelson Mandela, Uganda, Congo-Kinshasa, Burundi, Sudan, Timothy Thahane, Lesotho, Trevor Manuel, Rodrigo de Rato, Mexico, Gordon Brown, Africa Confidential

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