South Africa Disarmament: Champion or Covert Collaborator with Nuclear Nations

South Africa actively aims to expand its nuclear power capabilities as part of its commitment to a just transition towards cleaner energy, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. This according to Minister of Energy and Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, is an essential strategy for securing the country’s energy needs while moving toward greener energy solutions. Ramokgopa emphasised that nuclear energy will play a key role in the energy mix, helping South Africa achieve energy independence and sustainability.

However, South Africa's current involvement with nuclear energy seems to extend beyond merely just enhancing its energy capabilities. This comes as a result of multiple questions raised about how the country is balancing its commitment to disarmament at home with its growing relationships with global nuclear-armed states.

Between the 1940s and the 1990s, South Africa's apartheid government was deeply involved in developing weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear arms. During this period, the apartheid regime built strong international relationships, particularly with the United States, a country with nuclear capabilities itself. The country’s apartheid government believed that acquiring nuclear weapons would enhance the nation's global standing and shield it from perceived security threats. In a remarkable turn of events, South Africa became the first country to voluntarily dismantle its nuclear weapons program in 1989. The apartheid government had secretly developed six atomic warheads, but under the leadership of President F.W. de Klerk, it chose to dismantle them. De Klerk publicly announced the decision, marking the end of the country's proliferation ambitions.

Debates surrounding this move suggest racial motivations played a significant role. The ruling National Party feared that the African National Congress (ANC), which was gaining popularity, might one day control nuclear arms under a democratic black government, something the apartheid regime had long opposed. Additionally, de Klerk was also influenced by the Soviet Union’s aggressive policies in Southern Africa and great concerns over the ANC's ties to communism. However, this move arguably holds less weight given that the ANC had consistently opposed nuclear weapons. From 1952 to 1967, former ANC president Chief Albert Luthuli was a vocal advocate for nuclear disarmament, calling for the abolition of nuclear warfare. South Africa’s anti-nuclear stance was further solidified in 1991 when the country signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear-weapon state. Later in 1993, the country ended its biochemical, chemical and ballistic missile programs. By 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that South Africa had completely dismantled its nuclear arsenal. Since then, the country has been celebrated as a global champion of disarmament.

Yet, despite this legacy, South Africa’s international alliances raise questions. Over the years, South Africa has developed close ties with some of the nine countries that currently possess nuclear weapons, namely, the United States, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, Israel, France and the United Kingdom. In 2010, South Africa joined the BRICS alliance, initially established by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006. The bloc has since expanded to include nations like Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. BRICS aims to unite major developing nations in countering the political and economic dominance of North America and Western Europe.

However, South Africa’s alignment with nuclear-armed BRICS members—Russia, India, and China—raises concerns. Its support for the inclusion of Iran, a country suspected of developing nuclear capabilities, also seems at odds with South Africa’s disarmament stance. Iran's secretive nuclear activities suggest it could be on the threshold of becoming a nuclear power, further complicating the bloc’s dynamics, especially considering that Saudi Arabia vowed to build a nuclear weapon if their rival continued to do so. 

If South Africa is to benefit from its association with these nuclear-armed states, it may be seen as complicit, blurring its once-clear stance on disarmament. This is particularly significant considering the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, where Russian officials have warned that if Western nations allow Ukraine to use donated weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory, it could lead to a major escalation, potentially involving the use of nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin added that Moscow would consider such action if it detected a large-scale launch of missiles, aircraft, or drones against Russia. He also emphasised that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if either Russia or its ally is subjected to aggression, even by conventional weapons. South Africa would prefer to avoid becoming entangled in such matters, as doing so would undermine its longstanding principles regarding nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Supporting and/or staying silent on these activities could significantly weaken the credibility of the nation’s commitment to maintaining a principled stance on nuclear issues.

South Africa's nuclear energy strategy is a complex and multifaceted issue. On one hand, the country's expansion of nuclear power is presented as a key element of its transition to cleaner energy, addressing its domestic energy needs while pursuing sustainability. On the other hand, South Africa’s historical disarmament and its role as a global advocate for non-proliferation seem to contrast with its contemporary relationships with nuclear-armed states. As it navigates its energy future, it must carefully balance its commitments to global nuclear non-proliferation with its geopolitical alliances, ensuring that its leadership in disarmament remains credible amid the evolving global dynamics. 

As a disarmament champion, government should assert its opposition to nuclear weapons, making it clear that it condemns the development and possession of such arms even with regard to its allies. Furthermore, it should resist the inclusion of any state aiming to build nuclear weapons whether in a bilateral or multilateral arrangement. Such a clear stance is essential for the country to uphold its leadership in global disarmament initiatives.