ABSTRACT
This Chapter examines several sensitive aspects of South Africa's foreign policy, namely its new relation with neighbouring states as a backdrop to the historic changes which have occurred both within the country and outside. It also examines whether Southern African Development Community (SADC) will be an appropriate forum to initiate the process of regional economic, political and security integration among the states of the South African region and whether SADC constitute a proper agency of non-hegemonic regional cooperation. South Africa has taken initiatives in proposing the establishment of the Indian Ocean Rim Association along with the other developing countries for regional cooperation and development. From the Southern African point of view, South Africa's approach to the Indian Ocean Rim countries does not take account of South Africa's responsibility to the African continent as a whole, and particularly the Southern African region, and will dilute the government policy thrust on Southern African regional co-operation and development.
