South Africa’s non-alignment posture under the GNU: stillseeking multipolarity amid great power rivalry?

Abstract

South Africa is often criticised regarding its foreign policy of non-alignment, with some assessing that its behaviour does notreflect a genuinely non-aligned position – especially with regardto its relationship with Russia, which has caused tensions with theUnited States. However, South African policymakers argue thatPretoria wishes to see the establishment of a more equitable andmultipolar world order, saying this explains its openness toengage with powers that some consider ‘bad actors’. This takesplace against the backdrop of the great power contestation thatis currently (re)shaping the international system. This articleinvestigates non-alignment and universality at a conceptual andhistorical level, examining South Africa’s practical application ofthese concepts and principles in the context of great powerpolitics, considering also how the internal dynamics of the post-2024 Government of National Unity in Pretoria and its politicalparties’ respective foreign policy positioning impacts thecountry’s non-aligned position.