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.
Beyond the Miracle: Inside the New South Africa
"Beyond the Miracle" offers a comprehensive and moving account of the years in South Africa since the 1994 election of a democratic government - a defining moment in twentieth-century political life. Written by Allister Sparks, one of South Africa's most distinguished living journalists, "Beyond the Miracle" covers both the proud achievements and disappointing failures of the administrations and then looks to the future, asking whether this nation can overcome its history and current global trends to create a truly nonracial, multicultural, and multiparty democracy. Sparks unflinchingly examines the obstacles that the new, democratic South Africa faces: an increasingly wide gap between rich and poor, the disastrous long-term effects of civil conflicts, and the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. Drawing on decades of experience as a journalist, as well as his recent insider access to key figures in the liberation government, Sparks takes stock of where South Africa has been, where it's going, and why the rest of the world should not turn away from this country where the First and Third Worlds meet. "Beyond the Miracle" includes interviews with presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, as well as with less widely known individuals, such as Afrikaner Helena Dolny, the widow of anti-apartheid activist Joe Slovo. A brilliant analysis of political life since South Africa's "bloodless revolution," "Beyond the Miracle" persuasively argues that achieving Mandela's vision of a peaceful "rainbow nation" is crucial not just for the salvation of Africa, but also for the world.
Skeletal complications in osteogenesis imperfecta. A review of 153 South African patients.
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is one of the most important inherited skeletal dysplasias. Clinical, radiographic and genetic investigations have been undertaken in a series of 153 South African patients from 84 separate families. A further 60 relatives in whom a definite diagnosis could be made were not available for examination. Seventy-nine patients from 39 families had type I OI (mild skeletal fragility, blue sclerae, autosomal dominant inheritance). The orthopaedic complications were mild and stature was relatively normal. Only 26 patients had experienced more than 10 fractures. Trunk shortening, often with mild kyphoscoliosis, was present in 11 patients. One girl was paraplegic, but none of the other patients had evidence of spinal cord compression. Persistent backache was troublesome in 4 cases. Two of the patients were chair-bound and 9 used crutches or wore calipers. Sixteen patients (sporadic cases) had type II OI (lethal in the perinatal period, autosomal recessive inheritance). The orthopaedic importance of this form of OI lies in its differentiation from other types for the purposes of prognostication and planning of long-term management. Twenty-one patients from 14 families had type III OI (severe fracturing and deformity, white sclerae, autosomal recessive inheritance). Orthopaedic complications predominated. Although only 6 of the 21 patients were adults, 16 were dwarfed, 14 had experienced more than 20 fractures and 19 had significant limb bowing. Seven were chair-bound and 9 walked with crutches or calipers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)