South Africa-Turkey relations in the context of post-apartheid South African foreign policy (1994-2019)

This work highlights the important relationship of South Africa and Turkey within the context of the post-Apartheid South African foreign policy. The democratic elections held on the 27th of April 1994 led to the ending of the apartheid regime that was based on racial discrimination and segregation in South Africa and resulted in a transition to a democratic administration. The collapse of the Apartheid system in South Africa combined with the decision to open Embassies in both countries in 1993 gave impetus for the development of the South Africa – Turkey relations. Despite the growing initiatives, the understanding of the relations between the two countries is limited and requires greater attention. The purpose of this study is to explore the core values that constitute South African foreign policy in the post-Apartheid period. More specifically, this work examines institutional structures and leaders involved in the foreign policy making processes. It investigates the historical and ideological relations in foreign policy with Turkey by employing various levels of foreign policy analysis. Within this framework, this work details the relations between South Africa and Turkey in the post-1994 period with a focus on South Africa - Turkey foreign policy ecosystem. It looks at politic/diplomatic, economic, military, and cultural foreign policy instruments of the two countries and aims to explain why these are particularly significant in their relations. The study also outlines how the perception of the South African foreign elite's toward Turkey underwent an evolution. Finally, the work explores the foreign policy behaviors of South Africa and Turkey in different international platforms. The study highlights certain key similarities, attributes, and underscores the international arena as a major area to pay attention to. This study includes interviews and surveys with South African foreign policy decision-makers as well as meetings with active politicians, diplomats, academicians, bureaucrats, and university students. Through these comprehensive interviews, surveys and meetings, the perceptions, behavioral patterns and approach of South African decision makers towards relations with Turkey were analyzed. Finally, this research aims to provide decision makers in both countries information to get to know each other more closely, while providing an objective analysis and academic rigidity to enhance the research literature on South Africa and Turkey relations.