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Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice
Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2026
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| _version_ | 1869484036874829824 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Blake, Robin |
| author_browse | Blake, Robin |
| author_facet | Blake, Robin |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 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, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/108331 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-07-01T04:08:30.899Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| 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:2263/108331 Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice Blake, Robin segoatithapi05@gmail.com Segoati, Thapalatse Ephodia UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Cutural Diplomacy Soft Power New public diplomacy Diplomatic practice Diplomacy Mini Dissertation (MA (Diplomatic Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2025. This mini-dissertation examines the integration of soft power, cultural diplomacy, and ‘new’ public diplomacy as complementary instruments for enhancing South Africa’s diplomatic practice. While these concepts appear mutually reinforcing, the study seeks to address the inherent fragmentation and policy incoherence that characterise their current application within South Africa’s foreign policy environment. The research argues that the absence of a cohesive and coordinated policy framework has resulted in a disjointed approach that limits the country’s ability to fully leverage its soft power resources. Drawing on a qualitative literature review and conceptual analysis, the study develops an integrated framework that positions soft power as the power of attraction, cultural diplomacy as its practical instrument, and ‘new’ public diplomacy as the communication mechanism through which influence is projected. The study seeks to address how these three concepts can be conceptually integrated and practically applied to enhance a state’s diplomatic efforts in advancing its soft power, with particular reference to the South African context. The research demonstrates that South Africa possesses significant soft power resources, including its democratic transition, rich cultural heritage, Ubuntu philosophy, and active participation in multilateral institutions. However, the study seeks to address the challenges posed by policy fragmentation, institutional silos, inconsistent messaging, limited funding, and the absence of a formal cultural diplomacy strategy, all of which undermine the country’s global influence and diplomatic effectiveness. By applying the conceptual framework to the mandates and activities of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the study concludes that South Africa requires a unified and deliberate soft power strategy. Institutional coordination, increased investment, and the formalisation of cultural diplomacy are essential to enhance South Africa’s diplomatic effectiveness and position the country as a leading soft power actor in Africa and beyond. Political Sciences MA (Diplomatic Studies) Unrestricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-17: Partnerships for the goals 2026-02-17T12:45:25Z 2026-02-17T12:45:25Z 2026-05 2025-11 Mini Dissertation * A2026 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108331 u25367715 en © 2024 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) Cutural Diplomacy Soft Power New public diplomacy Diplomatic practice Diplomacy Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title | Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title_full | Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title_fullStr | Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title_short | Advancing South Africa`s soft power with cultural diplomacy and "new" public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| title_sort | advancing south africa s soft power with cultural diplomacy and new public diplomacy as diplomatic practice |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Cutural Diplomacy Soft Power New public diplomacy Diplomatic practice Diplomacy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/108331 |