ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 locates South Africa in Southern Africa in the context of world politics and demonstrates how anti-racist struggles against white-minority regimes in Southern Africa became important in the context of world politics with reference to countries like Namibia, South Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and South Africa. It explores connections between white-minority regimes and Western powers and situates how different world powers and forces were involved in emancipatory projects in Southern Africa. After analysing Mandela’s social and political thoughts, it offers a critical appraisal of the dominant role played by post-apartheid South Africa in Southern Africa, in particular, and world politics, in general. In the process it scrutinises the characterisation of South Africa as a sub-imperial power.
