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An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world
Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613459462488064 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Isike, Christopher |
| author_browse | Isike, Christopher |
| author_facet | Isike, Christopher |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100611 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:29.146Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100611 An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world Isike, Christopher 19197056@tuks.co.za Meyong, Bizana Abiba Blyss UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Digital Diplomacy Soft power Post-COVID-19 South Africa Foreign policy Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Over the years, traditional concepts of diplomacy have undergone significant transformation, largely driven by globalisation, which has reshaped how states engage in diplomatic relations. The COVID-19 pandemic further compounded this shift by limiting physical diplomatic engagements and accelerating the reliance on digital tools for international communication and negotiation. In the case of South Africa, this shift presented both unique challenges and significant opportunities in leveraging digital diplomacy to advance its foreign policy objectives in the post-pandemic world. Despite the growing prominence of digital diplomacy across Africa, there is a distinct gap in research focused on how this form of diplomacy specifically operates within South Africa’s geopolitical and socio-economic context. This study addresses this gap by investigating the role of digital diplomacy in South Africa’s foreign policy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative research approach, the study involved in-depth interviews with academics and practitioners who have more than five years of experience in the fields of diplomacy and foreign policy. Thematic analysis of the interview data, framed through a soft power lens, highlights the potential for digital diplomacy to enhance South Africa’s international standing within the international system. The findings reveal that digital diplomacy offers critical opportunities for South Africa, including enhancing direct communication with global actors, improving diplomatic responsiveness, and leveraging cultural diplomacy to reshape international perceptions, particularly through storytelling and digital engagement on platforms like social media. Furthermore, the digital realm provides South Africa with an avenue to strengthen its role in multilateral forums by fostering deeper regional cooperation and amplifying its leadership in addressing global challenges. However, the study also identifies several key challenges that complicate South Africa’s adoption of digital diplomacy. These include the digital divide, which exacerbates unequal access to technology and hampers broader participation in digital diplomatic initiatives, as well as concerns over cybersecurity, misinformation, and risk of data privacy violations. Despite these challenges, the research underscores that digital diplomacy could play a transformative role in South Africa's foreign policy, enabling the country to navigate the complexities of the post-COVID world more effectively. Political Sciences MA (Diplomatic Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure 2025-02-07T09:28:46Z 2025-02-07T09:28:46Z 2025-04 2024-11 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100611 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.27912564 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Digital Diplomacy Soft power Post-COVID-19 South Africa Foreign policy An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title | An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title_full | An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title_fullStr | An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title_full_unstemmed | An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title_short | An analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering South Africa’s foreign policy in a post-COVID-19 world |
| title_sort | analysis of digital diplomacy in furthering south africa s foreign policy in a post covid 19 world |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Digital Diplomacy Soft power Post-COVID-19 South Africa Foreign policy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100611 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.27912564 |