ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the post-apartheid transformation of the South African (SA) Navy including its re-establishment of “blue water” capability, its important diplomat role as South Africa emerged from years of international isolation, the diversification of its personnel to include black South Africans, the mounting of anti-piracy patrols in the Indian Ocean and political corruption scandals around ship acquisition. Given the many demands on the post-apartheid government to improve the lives of all South Africans, the SA Navy has struggled with insufficient budgets despite the strategic location of the country along a major shipping route.
