Foreign Policy and its People: Transforming the Apartheid Department of Foreign Affairs
Just as apartheid was ending, South Africa’s foreign relations witnessed a massive expansion. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs that was to manage this change found itself undergoing institutional transformations of both personnel and ideology. Studies on South African foreign policy have mostly neglected this transformation, which has had a considerable influence on the content and direction of South African foreign policy. In discussing this seldom-studied issue, this analysis unearths the discussions and debates that took place between various stakeholders to bring about transformation in the Department. In doing so, it argues that two different cultures of diplomacy came together in forming the new Department of Foreign Affairs. These cultures have had a significant impact on the thrust and direction of post-apartheid South Africa foreign policy.
The new millennium
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited connective tissue disorders characterised by skeletal fragility, frequent fracturing and variable bone deformity. The primary pathological defect is an abnormality in type I collagen and, in addition to the skeleton, other tissues such as the teeth, tendons, sclerae and skin may also be affected. The most widely used classification of OI is that proposed by Sillence et al.[1] describing four main types. This classification is based upon an analysis of clinical and genetic factors (Table 1). OI type III (OI III) is an uncommon yet well-defined autosomal recessive condition in which marked impairment of growth, bone fragility and severe progressive deformity are major characteristics. At birth, affected individuals present with multiple fractures and limb deformities. The fractures continue into childhood and long bones tend to bend, resulting in a disturbance of growth and, often, consequent stunted stature. The neck and trunk are relatively short and a discrepancy in the ratio of arm span to height is consistently found. Kyphoscoliosis is a frequent presentation and is age-related, with the majority of adults having severe spinal deformity. Death usually occurs during the first and second decades of life due to complications arising from the severe bone fragility, marked skeletal deformity, pulmonary hypertension and cardiopulmonary failure.[1] The condition is well recognised in South Africa (SA).[2] Radiographic features are a porotic skeleton as well as the consequences of several fractures. The long bones are usually bowed and Wormian bones are evident in the cranium. Vertebral biconcavity, protusio acetabulae and elongation of the pedicles of the lumbar vertebrae are important diagnostic criteria.[2] Since 2006, a growing list of mutant genes causing the 5 10% of recessive cases of OI has emerged. These include CRTAP, LEPRE1, PPIB, PLOD2, SERPINH1, SERPINF1, BMP1, TMEM38B, SP7, WNT1, CREB3L1 and FKBP10. These genes are responsible for the multistep process that involves a number of post-translational modifications in the processing, assembly and transportation of procollagen chains during the biosynthesis of collagen type I. OI III does not compromise intellectual ability and some individuals with the condition succeed in school and the workplace. They are able to develop and maintain satisfying social and family relationships and acquire a remarkable sense of independence. Affected individuals invariably face many challenges such as limited mobility, physical pain, lack of access to medical and social services, social prejudices and architectural access barriers.[3]
Redistribution of rare-earth elements during diagenesis of carbonate rocks from the Mid-Proterozoic Newland Formation, Montana, U.S.A.
Abstract REE data for carbonate rocks from the Mid-Proterozoic Newland Formation, Belt Supergroup, show variable degrees of relative REE enrichment when normalized to a composite shale of the Newland Formation. Most conspicuous are relative enrichments in LREE's and positive Eu anomalies. Possible coprecipitation of REE's in carbonates from seawater is much too small to account for the REE enrichment, thus only diagenetic REE enrichment has to be considered. By far the strongest LREE enrichment is observed in carbonates with interbedded shales. During diagenesis REE apparently moved from the shale partings to the adjacent limestone beds. Massive limestone units have considerably smaller REE enrichments (except in proximity to shales), suggesting that REE addition from formation waters is less efficient for supplying REE's than is local redistribution between shale and limestone beds. Early precipitation of diagenetic silica in pore spaces reduces REE enrichment in limestone beds by reducing their permeability. Dolostones are cemented by pervasive early-diagenetic silica and lack significant REE enrichment except for Eu, probably because silica cement prohibited access of REE-bearing pore waters. Positive Eu anomalies indicate reduction of Eu to the divalent state during diagenesis and relatively large mobility of divalent Eu.