South Africa and Black Africa: the future of economic interaction

Abstract

In the debate about economic cooperation between South Africa and black Africa the focus normally falls on Southern Africa, including the BLS countries, the independent Homelands, Namibia and Zimbabwe and, to a lesser degree, Malawi, Zambia and Zaïre. In this region South Africa takes a position of near complete domination, which causes suspicion and hesitation amongst the potential partners. As an alternative strategy it is proposed that South Africa aim at increased economic interaction within a wider region of southern and central Africa, stretching up to Kenya, Zaire and Angola. Not only would this be economically rational in terms of a strategy of South‐South cooperation but, if properly coordinated, it might benefit about twenty countries. To allay legitimate fears about South African neo‐imperialism it is proposed that the government formally pledge itself to a policy of full political and economic emancipation of its black population, peaceful co‐existence with all the states in the subcontinent and a strategy of cooperative economic development.