South African Boundaries

In recent years, South Africa has been increasingly referred to as "The New South Africa"[1]. This term is in reference to the changes in political and social boundary changes in the last several years, particularly since 1994. The changes in South African boundaries have much to do with the apartheid. "South Africa's apartheid regime used boundary demarcations such as 'homelands' and 'group areas' to maintain and enforce political control by a white elite." [2] After the apartheid, the government had to redistribute "homelands" and land parcels in a more fair and justifiable way.

When these new boundaries were created "only one has posed a problem of national security: the provincial boundaries."[2] South Africa currently has nine systems of provincial government. These divisions are proving to cost a great deal. This cost alongside the continued tension about "boundary disputes left unresolved by the state"[2] created some serious tensions over South African boundaries. 

When South Africa entered the Southern African Development Community, the boundaries were all reorganized. This changed state boundaries and many believe the "New South Africa" has the resources to develop a successful nation-state. Many of the divisions of land were related to political party compromises. Some of these divisions proved to be harmful for national security. The substantial amount of "non-viable provinces" and "years of boundary conflicts"[2] left the infrastructure of the region collapsing. Revenue was draining out of the national government and there were continuing social struggles. 

The new regional boundary changes brought a completely new set of problems. "South Africa's new... boundaries are responses to shifting power relations."[1] New boundaries brought a "new distribution of wealth and power"[1] and will continue to affect South Africa for years to come. The boundary changes are a reflection of power shifts and socio-cultural changes. We have yet to see the true impact of the continued struggle for boundaries and a "New South Africa."


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Sources Cited:

[1] Griggs, Richard A. "The Boundaries of a New South Africa." January 1, 1995. Accessed February 28, 2015. https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/ibru/publications/full/bsb2-4_griggs.pdf.

[2] "The Security Costs of Party-Political Boundary Demarcations: The Case of South Africa - African Security Review Vol 7 No 2, 1998." The Security Costs of Party-Political Boundary Demarcations: The Case of South Africa - African Security Review Vol 7 No 2, 1998. Accessed February 28, 2015. http://www.issafrica.org/pubs/ASR/7No2/Griggs.html.