Over the last 25 years, South Africa’s regional and global stature has been in flux. Although there is continuity in its foreign policy objectives, there have been changes in emphasis and application. These changes, together with shifts in the domestic political and economic landscape, have impacted negatively on South Africa’s international relations. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his 2018 State of the Nation Address, boldly proclaimed a ‘new dawn’ for South Africa. A key aspect of the intended new dawn is the repositioning of South Africa regionally and globally. This paper examines the shifts and the continuity in South Africa’s foreign policy, and the reasons for its waning global and regional stature. The paper argues that South Africa is once again in a position to be a norm- and agenda-setter, especially in relation to peace and security, but that this will be a lost opportunity if there is a lack of the necessary reflection, visioning and redress needed for transformation.

在过去的25年中，南非的区域和全球地位不断变化。尽管其外交政策目标是连续的，但重点和应用却发生了变化。这些变化以及国内政治和经济格局的变化，对南非的国际关系产生了负面影响。西里尔·拉马福萨（Cyril Ramaphosa）总统在他的2018年《国情咨文》中大胆地宣布南非的``新曙光'' 预期的新曙光的一个关键方面是南非在区域和全球范围内的重新定位。本文研究了南非外交政策的变化和连续性，以及其全球和地区地位下降的原因。该论文认为，南非再次有能力成为规范制定者和议程制定者，特别是在和平与安全方面，