By Mnyamezeli Booi and George Tsibani
As we see it, the US, as a leader of NATO, and the Global North royal monarchies view South Africa as a strategic gateway to recolonise Africa. This perspective is rooted in South Africa’s complex history of colonialism and ‘colonialism of a special type’, which has created a unique dynamic where colonisers and the colonised coexist in the same country, yet with starkly contrasting living conditions and class contradictions.
Historical materialism reveals that unexpected alliances facilitated the ANC’s rise to power. At the same time, Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher supported the apartheid regime, refusing to impose sanctions and instead backing the National Party’s policies and its propaganda machinery. This legacy of support for the apartheid regime has contributed to the fear of recolonisation, particularly as Vladimir Putin’s Russia and China of Xi Jinping challenge the balance of power with ANC support.
The BRICS alliance, a multi-lateral model, aims to support global economic development, especially in the wake of President Donald Trump’s imposition of unreasonable tax tariffs. BRICS countries prioritise rural and urban resilience and skills transfer driven by artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics (BDA), the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR), and 5G technology.
These initiatives aim to leverage Africa and South Africa’s mineral resources to meet local, regional, continental, and international targets in decarbonisation, rooted in green engineering values and solutions, such as green hydrogen programmes guided by the Ubuntu paradigm. On top of that, Africa has its own infrastructure plans and trade platforms, such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to boost trade within the continent and realise growth.
Former US President Bill Clinton’s statement that South Africa is the entry point to Africa for the US and the West underscores this concern. Therefore, the ongoing and intensifying collaboration between US-led NATO, AfriForum, Solidarity Union, and the DA suggests a recolonisation agenda.
However, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ensured the passage of the BELA, Land Reform, and NHI Acts, supported by Cabinet, to transform the dual economic system and address historical injustices through education and health reforms, as well as land restitution. In our view, the ANC remains the key to Africa, with President Ramaphosa holding significant influence. Unlike other leaders, the ANC’s leadership is sought after, as many emerging leaders are pushing back against Western influence on the continent. A notable example is Namibia, which has been actively working to reduce its economic dependence on Western powers instead of strengthening ties with other African nations and emerging economies. This shift reflects a broader trend across the continent, where many leaders are seeking to assert their independence and challenge the legacy of colonialism.
As Dr. Nelson Mandela succinctly concluded, “No country must dictate our friends and allies.” These words of wisdom serve as a potent reminder that South Africa cannot be forced to reject its alliances, particularly those forged during the dark days of apartheid. Instead, the country must continue to chart its own course, guided by its interests and values.
Mnyamezeli Booi is an ANC struggle veteran, a retired MP and whip, a founder member of COSAS and a former deputy president of the ANCYL to Peter Mokaba. Dr George Tsibani is a water governance and heritage expert and author of ‘Nation Building Plan between 2019 and 2064: Designing Paradise Cities to Restore Pride through Wealth’– @NewsSA_Online