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Paradiplomacy in South Africa: the Role of Interest and Identity in the International Relations of Kwazulu-Natal Province

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Paradiplomacy in South Africa: the Role of Interest and Identity in the International Relations of Kwazulu-Natal Province Paradiplomacy in South Africa: the role of interest and identity in the international relations of KwaZulu-Natal province By Nolubabalo Magam Student No: 214546887 Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations In the School of Social Science At the University of KwaZulu-Natal Supervisor: Dr Khondlo Mtshali July 2018 Declaration I, Nolubabalo Magam, declare that: The research reported in this thesis, except where otherwise indicated, is my original research. I. This thesis has not been submitted for any degree or examination at any other university. II. This thesis does not contain other persons‟ data, pictures, graphs or other information unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other persons. III. This thesis does not contain other persons' writing unless specifically acknowledged as being sourced from other researchers. Where other written sources have been quoted, then: IV. Their words have been re-written but the general information attributed to them has been referenced V. Where their exact words have been used, then their writing has been placed in italics and inside quotation marks and referenced. VI. This thesis does not contain text, graphics or tables copied and pasted from the Internet, u unless specifically acknowledged, and the source being detailed in the thesis and in the references sections. Signature: ______________________ i Abstract This study offered an analysis of the importance of international relations activities undertaken by sub-national governments in South Africa, with a specific reference to the province of KwaZulu-Natal. These activities were conceptualised as paradiplomacy. The goal of the study was to advance the notion of paradiplomacy and explore how identity and interest facilitate paradiplomacy. The study explored this phenomenon from the context of Constructivism as a theory, highlighting the role of interests and identity in paradiplomacy. Positing a reciprocal relation between identity and interests, Constructivism argues that identities and interests shape and are shaped by foreign policy of a particular political entity. This was a qualitative, single-case study which relied on primary and secondary data.. Semi-structured interviews with key informants from the national government, provincial government of KwaZulu-Natal, external partners and academics, were used to gather empirical data. In addition to that, official government reports, international agreements and MOUs were analysed to augment the empirical data. In addition, the works of leading scholars in paradiplomacy such as Geldenhuys and Nganje (in South Africa) and Kuznetsov, Keating,Lecours,amongst others were invaluable sources of secondary data in this study. The study contributed to the growing body of literature on paradiplomay by providing analytical insight into (i) What is the legal framework for paradiplomacy in South Africa; (ii) What is the role of interest and identity in paradiplomatic activities of KwaZulu-Natal and (iii) How has paradiplomacy affected development in the province? Although subnational governments engage in international relations, primarily, for developing their local economies, they also advance the national agenda. In the case of South Africa, paradiplomacy is a reflection of the national government’s foreign policy agenda. The study showed how KwaZulu-Natal’s identities and interests are shaped by the broader and historical South African context. The study demonstrated how KwaZulu-Natal’s paradiplomatic activities are influenced by interests and identities. In addition, the study also explored the existence of multiple identities and interests, which are as a result of social and corporate identities. The findings revealed that paradiplomatic activities in the KwaZulu-Natal advance the provincial development strategy. The specific areas of cooperation are development-oriented ii and address development challenges the province is faced with. The study concluded by recommending that the legal framework of paradiplomacy be explicit in the constitution, to ensure that subnational governments work within a clear and explicit constitutional framework. iii Acknowledgment I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation to all the people who contributed and encouraged me through my journey in this study; I would have not been able to achieve this had it not been for your support. I acknowledge the following individuals in this regard: My deepest gratitude to GOD (MY COMFORTER) for everything, without which I would have not achieved anything. I am grateful for the protection, guidance and wisdom. MY ROCK OF AGES Research participants who agreed to be part of this study My humble supervisor, Dr Khondlo Mtshali, I thank you for your academic guidance, encouragement, mentoring and for pushing me harder even when I wanted to give up I thank my mother, my rock (Nontombi Magam) for supporting me throughout my journey My sisters Sindiswa and Nandipha, no words can describe my gratitude. Your love and support is much appreciated A very special thank you to Rex you have been amazing, thank you. I thank all my friends/colleagues who supported me, Dr. Molefe, Sakhile Nkosi, Andrew and Mutshidzi iv List of Acronyms AIDS- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ANC – African National Congress BBBEE- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment BRIC- Brazil Russia India BRICS-Brazil Russia India China South Africa CETESB- Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo CoGTA – Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs COP 17- 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties CNN-Cable News Network DA – Democratic Alliance DAEA – Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs DRC- Democratic Republic of Congo DIRCO – Department of International Relations and Cooperation EU- European Union FDI- Foreign Direct Investment FET- Further Education and Training GDP – Gross Domestic Product GPG- Gauteng Provincial Government v HE- His Excellency HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus ICCA- International Congress and Convention Association IFP – Inkatha Freedom Party ITC- International Technology Corporation IGR – Intergovernmental Relations IR-International Relations KZN – KwaZulu-Natal ODA-Official Development Assistance MDGs- Millennium Development Goals MEC – Member of the Executive Council MICE – Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events MOUs – Memorandum of Understanding MNCs- Multinational Corporations NCOP – National Council of Provinces NPD- National Development Plan NEPAD – New Partnership for Africa’s Development PFMA – Public Finance Management Act PGDS – Provincial Growth and Development Strategy RBIDZ- Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone vi SADC- Southern African Development Community SALGA- South African Local Government Association SAPS- South African Police Service SDF-Spatial Development Framework SMMEs- Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises SEZs – Special Economic Zones SNGs – Sub-national Governments TAFI- Travel Agency Federation of India TB- Tuberculosis TIKZN – Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal TKZN – Tourism KwaZulu-Natal UN- United Nations UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation US- United States of America WCG- Western Cape Government vii List of figures Figure 1.1. Realism Figure 1.2. Constructivism Figure 1.3. Interaction of Interest and Identity Figure 1.4. Multiple Meanings of Anarchy Figure 1.5. KZN in the South/Southern African and Global Context Figure 1.6. KZN-Logo/Identity Figure 1.7. What Policy of Paradiplomacy Should Contain viii List of Tables Table 1.1. Schedule 5: Functional Areas of Excusive Provincial Legislative Competence Table 1.2. Schedule 4: Functional Areas of Concurrent National and Provincial legislative Competence ix Table of Contents Declaration ........................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgment ............................................................................................................................... iv List of Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. v List of figures .................................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE: ORIENTATION OF THE STUDY ................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Problem Statement ...................................................................................................................... 3 1.3. Research Questions: Key questions to be asked ......................................................................... 4 1.4. Research problems objectives: Broader issues to be investigated:............................................. 5 1.5. Aim of the Study .........................................................................................................................
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