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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Lesotho and the Reintegration of South Africa
Author:Southall, Roger J.ISNI
Year:1990
Periodical:Africa Insight
Volume:20
Issue:4
Pages:247-254
Language:English
Geographic terms:Lesotho
South Africa
Subjects:foreign policy
Politics and Government
Inter-African Relations
Economics and Trade
Abstract:The reintegration of the four nominally independent bantustans and the 'homelands' into a future democratic South Africa will have major implications for the region as a whole. The author argues that these developments provide Lesotho, whose extreme dependence on South Africa renders it not unlike a bantustan, with a historic opportunity to review its relationship with South Africa. The article first discusses the Draft Decree on the Proposed National Referendum issued by Transkei's new military leader, Major-General Bantu Holomisa, which outlines five possible scenarios in response to the question of whether and on what basis Transkei should rejoin South Africa, and the ANC Constitutional Guidelines, which say nothing about the reintegration of the bantustans. Having explained that the prospects of Lesotho joining a federal South Africa are minimal, given the fact that federation cannot be regarded as being on either the South African or Southern African agenda for at least some years to come, the author turns to the question of how a reformulation of Lesotho's relation with South Africa may be conceived. Lesotho's negotiating union with the Republic should and will become a serious issue of debate. By opting to retain independence, Lesotho would stand in danger of becoming a de facto bantustan at the very moment when these present 'national States' are moving beyond that de jure status. Notes, ref.
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