Title: Cultural diplomacy in post-apartheid South Africa's international relations: cosmetic or genuine change?

Authors: Lebogang L. Nawa; Mzo Sirayi; Modimowabarwa Kanyane

Addresses: Faculty of the Arts, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X 680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa ' Faculty of the Arts, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X 680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa ' Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery, Human Sciences Research Council, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 001, South Africa; Faculty of the Arts, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X 680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

Abstract: In this article, we examine the extent to which South Africa responds to recent major paradigm shifts in international relations. We record that the country's readmission to the international cultural relations arena after the collapse of apartheid in 1994 has brought about new challenges for it to tackle. Two of these are: how to project a new image of a united society with diverse cultures in harmonious co-existence different from that of the past; and how to shift from a previous government-centric diplomacy to a new public-participatory alternative. We support the prompt drafting of a cultural diplomacy policy initiated by law makers in order to mediate the afore-mentioned opposites. The study followed qualitative methodological approaches to arrive at the arguments and conclusions made.

Keywords: Batho Pele; Ubuntu/Botho; cultural agreements; cultural boycott; cultural diplomacy; cultural exchanges; cultural policy; cultural attaché; foreign policy; international relations; public diplomacy; South Africa; diverse cultures; culture; public participation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2017.081064

International Journal of Public Policy, 2017 Vol.13 No.1/2, pp.117 - 133

Accepted: 12 Aug 2016
Published online: 19 Dec 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article