Abstract After its birth in April 1994, the democratic new South Africa has returned to the "big family" of African countries.
While applauding and embracing SA's re-entry, African
countries hope that the new South Africa, based on its strong economic power, its political appeal due to its successful transition to multiparty democracy and the personal charm of Nelson Mandela, could take the responsibility for Africa Renaissance and lead Africa to the 21th century. In the last two years, although the new SA paid attention to developing relations with Africa and has done a great deal of beneficial work in promoting Africa's economic development and economic integration in Southern Africa as well as in mediating the regional conflicts in the continent, it still fell behind the expectations of African countries. As emphasis bas been put on the reconstruction and development of its domestic economy,new SA was not eager to be the "Iocomotive" in economic field, or take the lead in promoting democracy, human rights and peacekeeping beyond South Africa. President Mandela also did his best to keep a low profile on Africa's foreign stage. Judging by the interdependent
relationship on political, economic and security fields between the new SA and other African countries, the new SA should develop its relations with Africa first before it develops its relations with Europe, America and Asia. To neglect Africa orto regard Africa as a burden would not only arouse the aversion of the other African countries, but also make the new SA risk the danger of going back to isolation in Africa.