African Renaissance
Introduction I. African Renaissance: A Resurrection
The theory of an African Renaissance has captured the interests of a number of intellectuals, reporters and politicians. In South Africa, where the concept has come to be closely identified with the political perceptions of former President Thabo Mbeki, it has been received as a proposal for “African political renewal and economic regeneration” (Ajulu, 2001: 87). The concept can thus be viewed as a “rebirth”; a resurrection-since it has inspired policies to address the socio-economic fallouts of apartheid.
The thought, Maloka (2001:1) contends, is a dominant trait in the “outlook of the African National Congress (ANC)-led government”, and has been embraced as a “key component of its ideological outlook, especially as this pertains to international matters” (Maloka, 2001:1). The view is a significant theme in the organization’s policy quest, and an exclusive ‘African Renaissance Fund’, Maloka (2001:2) confirms, was vested as part of this course. “According to the Strategic Plan published by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2004, the principles that underpin South Africa’s foreign policy include, commitments to the promotion of Human Rights and democracy; to justice and International Law in the conduct of relations between nations; to international peace and intentionally agreed-upon mechanisms for resolving conflict; to promoting the interests of Africa in world affairs; and to economic development through regional and international cooperation in an interdependent and globalised world” (Nathan, 2005:366). II. Post-1994 ANC-led government policies/actors In general, policy is expressed as a broad interpretation for “desired state of affairs” entailing “specific decisions” occasionally in a “rational sequence” (Niekerk, van der Waldt and Jonker 2001:87). The author reasons that the term can be used in several ways, and involves “action as well as inaction” (Niekerk, van der Waldt and Jonker
The theory of an African Renaissance has captured the interests of a number of intellectuals, reporters and politicians. In South Africa, where the concept has come to be closely identified with the political perceptions of former President Thabo Mbeki, it has been received as a proposal for “African political renewal and economic regeneration” (Ajulu, 2001: 87). The concept can thus be viewed as a “rebirth”; a resurrection-since it has inspired policies to address the socio-economic fallouts of apartheid.
The thought, Maloka (2001:1) contends, is a dominant trait in the “outlook of the African National Congress (ANC)-led government”, and has been embraced as a “key component of its ideological outlook, especially as this pertains to international matters” (Maloka, 2001:1). The view is a significant theme in the organization’s policy quest, and an exclusive ‘African Renaissance Fund’, Maloka (2001:2) confirms, was vested as part of this course. “According to the Strategic Plan published by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2004, the principles that underpin South Africa’s foreign policy include, commitments to the promotion of Human Rights and democracy; to justice and International Law in the conduct of relations between nations; to international peace and intentionally agreed-upon mechanisms for resolving conflict; to promoting the interests of Africa in world affairs; and to economic development through regional and international cooperation in an interdependent and globalised world” (Nathan, 2005:366). II. Post-1994 ANC-led government policies/actors In general, policy is expressed as a broad interpretation for “desired state of affairs” entailing “specific decisions” occasionally in a “rational sequence” (Niekerk, van der Waldt and Jonker 2001:87). The author reasons that the term can be used in several ways, and involves “action as well as inaction” (Niekerk, van der Waldt and Jonker