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ABSTRACT
Alfred Nzo served as the newly democratic South Africa’s Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1994 and 1999. His tenure was widely criticised. Nzo was described as ineffectual and inert by the media, opposition parties and even by some within his own African National Congress. These criticisms have been unquestioningly absorbed by historians and foreign policy scholars, and now constitute a cornerstone of the conventional wisdom regarding the Mandela Administration’s foreign policy. This article draws on a range of interviews with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide an alternative portrait of the Foreign Minister. While rarely animated, many DFA officials recall Nzo as accessible and closely attuned to the critical international issues confronting South Africa. The article concludes by considering the methodological missteps that contributed to misunderstanding Nzo, and reflects on the difficulties of personality-driven political analysis.
Acknowledgement
This research was made possible by the many South African diplomats who generously agreed to share their reflections on Alfred Nzo and the workings of the DFA in the 1990s. I am thankful for their time and insights. I also appreciate the assistance of Dr Thina Nzo, the niece of the late minister, who kindly shared valuable memories about her uncle.
Notes
1 Ramaphosa was 38 when elected secretary general. Jacob Zuma, elected Ramaphosa’s deputy, was 48. All the other members of the leadership were older than 67.
2 Some commentary viewed the initial offer to Ramaphosa as a sign that Nzo was an inferior candidate for the position. A 1994 report in Africa Confidential (‘South Africa: Sharing Power’ Citation1994), for example, notes that Nzo was ‘brought in as a stop gap after Ramaphosa turned the portfolio down’. The Natal Witness (‘Foreign Affairs’ Citation1995, 8) incorrectly states Nzo was ‘reputed to be third choice as minister’.
3 Pahad and Mbeki’s friendship dates back to the 1960s.
4 For another comment that emphasises Mbeki’s role in the foreign policy process while ignoring the importance of Nzo see Peter Vale (Citation2010, 260-261).
5 Dirco. Folder 1/24/3. A. Nzo to N. Mandela, ‘Greater China Region: Important Political Developments’. 4 November 1996; Dirco. Folder 1/112/3. A. Nzo to N. Mandela, ‘Zaire: Discussions by Group of Foreign Ministers with Government on the Great Lakes Conflict, Kinshasa, 19 February 1997’. 21 February 1997.
6 The Sunday Times (‘A Travelled Man’ Citation1994, 24) points out that Nzo was ‘no stranger when it comes to international affairs’. The Financial Mail (‘Keys To The Cockpit’ Citation1994, 20) gives Nzo credit for being a ‘good bureaucrat’ but adds that he ‘has never evinced a special flair for diplomacy’.
7 CPL. Princeton Lyman, ‘South Africa: Ambassador’s July 15 Meeting with Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo.’ Declassified in part per executive order 13526.
8 For an example of how this debate played out in parliament see the interjections by Geldenhuys and Jordaan in Hansard (Citation1996, 3175 and 3201).
9 I thank Vic Zazeraj for this observation.
10 Upon reflection, the South African media agreed with this more positive assessment of Nzo’s performance. After Nzo died in January 2000, several papers published glowing obituaries that were at odds with the harsh media criticism he had received during the 1990s. See, for example, Sekola Sello (Citation2000, 13), Hartley (Citation2000, 13) and Stephen Laufer (Citation2000).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Christopher Williams
Dr Christopher Williams is a postdoctoral fellow in the international relations department at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.