The Dimming of the Illuminated State

Abstract

This is an attempt to set in poem the reintroduction of South Africa to international trade after apartheid and trace it to today, with its historic ties to its colonial masters and Western powers, its look eastward and its engagement with peers in the Global South and on the African continent. It is a journey with many twists. South Africa maintains strong ties with the European Union, United States and China, all major importers of its agricultural goods and commodities like gold. South Africa has played a leading role in shaping trade policy in southern Africa though it must tread carefully. It has also highlighted concerns of the Global South and taken steps to move away from investor–state dispute settlement. The African continent is rising and, alongside other nations, it has immense potential. The future belongs to Africa—if it is bold. South Africa must play its part.

The Dimming of the Illuminated State

In southern winds where dreams once ignited,

The embers of which still glow red.

Is the land of green, hurt and hope

A leader amongst leaders, but will it lead?

It met its peers emerging after seclusion.

But looked away to those beyond

For its burgeoning nation

Needed succour most deep.

A history there was of trade routes old,

Diamonds and gold, a story told.

Filled with colonial echoes, a heavy toll,

Yet, resilience rises, a determined soul.

Apartheid’s grip, a darkened hour,

Trade shackled by an unjust power

But winds of change began to blow

Trade policies shifting, a hopeful glow.

And so, it walked the path

Of obsequious nature

To beg through giving away

The valued rule of law

Replacing their courts, with others

Though South Africa stood, a beacon bright.

Trade policies unfurled their sail,

A journey began to move forward by stepping back.

To Europe’s shores, the gaze did steer,

New alliances, dispelling fear.

At what cost though,

Trade is a bridge to unity.

The needs of its nations together

Focused it to itself.

Therein it found the clash.

In outward form to its internal needs

Stepping forward once more

It found its voice.

In protecting its forests and people

Its communities and its rules

Leading to a battle it lost

Twice, it fell, was punished through lawfare.

For its friendship, for its giving nature

Once it escaped with wounds

On the horizon, a broader view,

Trade not just with the red, white, and blue.

In Africa’s embrace, a call resounds,

Trade with neighbours, on common grounds.

The neighbours, of the same place and mind

Not only Cape to Cairo, a continent-wide span,

But also, of a common Southward vision

Across oceans wide, all standing after being held down.

The movements from before

Partly re-enacted.

Coalitions formed of shared history.

Of shared interest, however untrue

The neighbours close, linked.

Through trade past and future

Chose to learn lessons together.

Of protecting forest and people

Across the savannas, rivers, and mountains

Intra-African trade, a master plan.

Borders fade, unity found,

Trade the heartbeat, a rhythmic sound.

Minerals and resources rich,

Trade corridors, a strategic pitch.

Investments bloom on African soil,

A shared destiny, a common toil.

Fear of harm done

Of moneys thrown away

Of having lost their will and favour

Of their peoples, desperate for opportunities

However, this inward-looking process

Delays aspirations

Sometimes stops the true cooperation.

Hinders closeness and raises fears.

Pretoria’s hills to the Eastern Cape’s shore,

Trade policies evolving evermore.

Bridges to be built, connections have grown,

A tapestry woven, both fast and slow.

First the path closes ranks with neighbours.

Ideas grow and solidify.

Concrete steps move the region together.

Only for the need to break the walls.

Through savannas wide, and deserts vast,

Trade’s journey unfolds, a story cast.

A symphony played, harmony and cacophony,

In the trade of ideas, a global board.

Then talks upon talks upon talks unfold.

With others fighting off the yoke of history past

The two steps forward, one step back

The conversations are hard, deep, and effective.

From Drakensberg peaks to Kalahari’s heat,

South Africa’s trade, a heartbeat.

In the dance of nations, hand in hand,

A policy journey, across the land.

On the continent an understanding grows.

We stand together, centre Africa.

All the while encouraging collective change.

For all our peoples

To work together, means no one runs ahead.

Talk with one voice.

Pull up those that need it.

Leading without being a leader

The dimming of the illuminated state

A dire possibility, but is being fought against

If only we hold onto newly forged friendships

Newer ties as well as the old

The tale continues, winds of change blow,

Trade’s epic poem, in ebb and flow.

In the Southern Cross’s guiding light,

South Africa’s trade, a beacon bright.