The North-West University’s (NWU’s) subject group History recently hosted a thought-provoking seminar titled "A pragmatic morality: Gerald R Ford and US relations with apartheid South Africa during the mid-1970s".
The event featured keynote speaker Dr Eddie Michel, a distinguished research fellow from the University of Pretoria's Department of Historical and Heritage Studies.
The seminar delved into the concept of “principled pragmatism” that was embraced by the Gerald R Ford presidential administration during its interaction with South Africa during the apartheid era.
With president Ford's ascent to the Oval Office following Richard Nixon's resignation, his administration's policy towards apartheid-era South Africa was marked by a nuanced approach, balancing moral values with strategic considerations.
Dr Michel's presentation shed light on how the Ford administration, while upholding values of equality and justice, recognised the complexities of international relations, particularly in the Southern African region.
“Under Ford's leadership, the White House aimed to signal disapproval of South Africa's racial policies without resorting to measures that could hinder efforts to end apartheid. Instead, engaging with South Africa was seen as strategically vital to advancing broader US geopolitical interests in the region,” said Dr Michel.
During the seminar, he emphasised that the Ford era saw a commitment to pragmatic morality in US relations with apartheid South Africa. “Although Ford personally championed moral values, his administration understood the necessity of maintaining diplomatic leverage over Pretoria to influence policy changes effectively.
"The Ford administration, while desiring to express dissent against South African racial policies, avoided actions deemed counterproductive to ending apartheid," added Dr Michel.
He further highlighted how the White House strategically utilised its relationship with South Africa to pursue broader US geopolitical and moral objectives, without condoning racial injustices.
Dr Michel's expertise on US policy towards South Africa during the apartheid era was evident throughout the seminar. As a respected scholar with extensive research credentials, including being a Schlesinger Fellow at the John F Kennedy Presidential Library, he provided valuable insights into this complex period of history. His work has been supported by prestigious foundations, underscoring the significance of his contributions to understanding US foreign policy dynamics.
Overall, the seminar provided attendees valuable perspectives on the complexities of diplomatic engagement during a turbulent period in history.
Prof Eddie Michel.
