Over the last 30 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. narrative is one that portrays post-apartheid South Africa as quickly having repositioned itself from its pariah status to exercising leadership regionally and globally. However, its stature and legitimacy have increasingly waned, due to, among other things, perceived shifts in emphasis of its foreign policy, its ideological orientation, its domestic politics and decreasing economic and military capability, and the incidence of xenophobic attacks on other Africans. In this week’s view of the nation, we reflect on the shifts and the continuity in South Africa’s foreign policy, look at the country’s position as a norm and agenda-setter, especially in relation to peace and security, and its future. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor joins Lerato Mbele for the conversation.