SA International Relations '80s

• International Reaction

  • Images of police + military cause global opposition
  • Economic + cultural sanctions
  • British Commonwealth condemned Botha’s policy
  • Foreign bankers + investors, concerned investments at risk, began to pull out
  • ‘85, Chase Manhattan Bank cause financial crisis
  • Refused to roll over short-term loans
  • Most international banks followed
  • ‘86, US Congress, override Reagan, pass mandatory sanctions on SA
  • Ban new investments + loans
  • End air links
  • Ban many SA imports
  • 50% fall in US investment; $5bn in ‘84 to $2.78bn ‘88
  • By ‘80s end, new key international factor; CW end
• SA in Angola

  • ‘88: SA military in south Angola ( gov. put there since ‘75 invasion) outmanoeuvred by Cuban troops
  • SA forces retreated south
  • Cuban troops had MIG fighters, much superior to SA’s French Mirages
  • Botha recognised SA could no longer extend military beyond country’s borders
  • Occupation of Namibia would inevitably become more costly in money + lives
  • Withdrew all SA forces from south Angola
  • Began Namibian independence negotiations
• Economic sanctions

  • '85: Secret talks between Mandela + Justice minister to discuss way forward
  • '86: New sanctions from US (anti-apartheid act) + EEC
  • Cost SA millions of £ over next few years
  • Black unemployment doubled
  • Would take while to defeat white government
  • Had rich farming land + plenty of raw material
  • Other countries need its products; coal, iron, steel
  • SA economy crumbling, increasing unemployment
  • Sanctions weren't working
  • '88 UN again demanded Mandela release
  • Concert held at Wembley to mark Mandela’s 70th birthday
  • Highlight international support for his release
• Cultural sanctions

  Sport

  • Pressure sports bodies to exclude SA
  • '81 Springbok tour (rugby) of NZ
  • 1000s protested
  • Invaded pitches
  • '85: UN International Convention Against Apartheid in Sports
  • Sports key for white SA, exclusion felt wider
  • Initially to de-racialize SA sport,
  • Early '80s aim force apartheid abandonment
  • Little evidence it directly contributed

  Music

  • Endorsed by UN resolution
  • Indicating foreign artists not work with SA
  • Voluntary
  • Enforced by public pressure
  • Ostracise those who performed there
  • White SA banned from world tours