South Africa is a major landmine, being blessed with an abundance of unique mineral resources and fertile farmlands. The climate is mild, making the country ideal for farming among other activities. This nation is a world leader when it comes to the production of minerals like gold, diamond, and platinum. Considering the great economic positioning, intergroup relations in this nation are of major concern, especially owing to its history of racial segregation and apartheid. For over fifteen years now, the country has adopted democratic legislation. However, segregation is still existent, though on a small scale. The whites invaded the nation in 1900 after the discovery of diamond. Since then, there has been an uneasy sharing of power between the Afrikaner and the whites. This paper seeks to analyze the major patterns of intergroup relations in South Africa as far as segregation is concerned, the future of these relations, and why this nation is important to the U.S. ( Azzi, A. E., 1992).
An all-white government came into power in 1948 under the National Party. It is then that this government enforced a system of legislation called apartheid under which a policy of racial segregation came to be. Apartheid was a strategy by the National Party leaders to gain more control over the nation’s social and economic system. It aimed at extending racial separation while maintaining the white domination. Under this policy, all non-white South Africans, who accounted for the majority of the population, were forcefully segregated from the whites. They were to use separate public facilities, and there was a limited contact between the whites and non-whites. The apartheid rule was greatly opposed both within and outside South Africa, but it remained in operation for up to fifty years.
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The race laws accounted for basically every feature of social life, and this included sanctioning of jobs meant for the whites only and a prohibition of marriage between people of the two ethnic groups. By 1950, the law went ahead to making it a requirement that every South African should be classified into one of the three racial categories which included Black, White, or a mixed blend of the two. The citizenry was classified under the Department of Home Affairs. Any individual who did not comply with these requirements was subjected to harsh consequences. It was mandatory for all Africans to carry a passbook containing their photo, fingerprints, and areas to which they had access wherever they went.
Despite the major events leading to more racial segregation until the end of apartheid in the 1990s, there is still major hope for better intergroup relations in South Africa. Thanks to a new democratic government coming to power, the country is back to full participation in both African and global affairs. It is true that the nation will retain this inerasable legacy. However, there are several unprecedented measures being carried out to facilitate multicultural identity and reconciliation ( Finchilescu, G., & Tredoux, C., 2010).
All racist laws are now repealed and the Nation is back in the United Nations the Organization of National Unity, and Commonwealth. Following this move, it is notable that the Nation has formed several alliances and friendships with other nations around the world. What even bears more hope and optimism for the country is the Reconstruction and Development Program (RDP) which promises a better and more fulfilling life. As expected, there is so much pressure from the outside world wondering if it will be possible to build a completely multiracial democracy after the ruins left by the apartheid regime. Radical transformation is set to be complex and difficult. However, it will be facilitated by the emergence of a new political, social, and economic landscape including the adoption of a new constitution, rationalization, democracy, and improvement of the people’s health and welfare.
The United States and South Africa hold a long, intimate relationship since the apartheid regime. This involved both military and economic partnerships. The South African military acted as a market for the US’ arms during the apartheid regime. The two nations also held a nuclear agreement in 1979 when South Africa carried out a test for a nuclear bomb from the US in the Indian Ocean. Although it was never seen in the play, anti-racism is claimed to have been the principle underlying the foreign policy by the U.S. ( Bornman, E., & Mynhardt, J. C., 1991).
The US is heavily dependent on African countries, and in this case, South Africa. The US government is mostly focused on increased exports, more job creation, and more investments. In all of this, South Africa has so many attractive resources to offer. America is focused on expanding trade in which case Africa is best positioned for sustainable growth. Through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the US is now better positioned to support prosperity and jobs in South Africa. Consequently, South Africa can now export more goods to the US duty-free. Through this agreement, America can now easily receive high-quality wine, agricultural products, automobiles, and other manufactured products from South Africa.
References
Azzi, A. E. (1992). Procedural justice and the allocation of power in intergroup relations: Studies in the United States and South Africa. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 18 (6), 736-747.
Bornman, E., & Mynhardt, J. C. (1991). Social identity and intergroup contact in South Africa with specific reference to the work situation. Genetic, social, and general psychology monographs .
Duckitt, J., & Mphuthing, T. (1998). Group identification and intergroup attitudes: a longitudinal analysis in South Africa. Journal of personality and social psychology , 74 (1), 80.
Elphick, R., & Shell, R. (1990). CHALLENGING CERTAIN ASPECTS OF INTERGROUP RELATIONS IN THE SHAPING OF SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY, 1652-1840. Kronos , 17 , 71-6.
Finchilescu, G., & Tredoux, C. (2010). The changing landscape of intergroup relations in South Africa. Journal of Social issues , 66 (2), 223-236.
