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establishment <strong>of</strong> diplomatic missions in Africa early on. 224 The predominant patternsince then, however, has been one <strong>of</strong> limited engagement. One parliamentarian hasattributed this to “parliament’s uncertainty about its role in the foreign policyprocess”; <strong>and</strong>, also to executive domination <strong>of</strong> foreign policy. 225 Another possiblereason is the under-resourcing <strong>of</strong> parliamentarians’ capacity to develop thenecessary expertise to play a more active role in foreign policy initiation. Theproportional representation electoral system is another important political limitationon parliamentarians’ involvement on foreign policy issues. Because ANC MPs (whoare in the majority <strong>and</strong> hence could prove most effective) are elected on a party list,they have little incentive to challenge government positions, or to champion specificissues, 226 <strong>and</strong> so exhibit greater loyalty to the Party leadership.A further crucial dimension <strong>of</strong> Parliament’s activity (or more aptly, inactivity) onforeign policy is its inability to introduce money bills. 227 This right is reserved forthe executive, in the person <strong>of</strong> the Minister <strong>of</strong> Finance. Therefore, any foreignpolicy initiatives requiring large disbursements <strong>of</strong> funds, including those not relatedto any international crisis, may – if not introduced by the Department <strong>of</strong> ForeignAffairs - only be introduced by the Finance Minister, who is already a privilegedassociate <strong>of</strong> the President by virtue <strong>of</strong> his presidential appointment, furtherentrenching executive control <strong>of</strong> foreign policy. Parliament’s primary point <strong>of</strong>influence <strong>of</strong> foreign policy budgetary questions is the Department <strong>of</strong> ForeignAffairs Budget Vote, during which allocations <strong>of</strong> funds for the conduct <strong>of</strong> foreignrelations are made. In accordance with South Africa’s growing continental <strong>and</strong>international responsibilities from 2001 onward, this amount grew incrementallyeach year, by an unusual 27% in 2001/2, 13,32% in 2002/3, <strong>and</strong> a sizable 35% toreach R5,6 billion (US$716m at 2011 rates) in Mbeki’s last year as president, 2008. 228224 Roger Southall, “Regional security: The “new security” in southern Africa”, SouthernAfrica Report, 10, No. 5, July 1995. Accessed online at:http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=3936 on 14 August, 2010.225 A.K. Ahmed, “The role <strong>of</strong> parliament in South Africa’s foreign policy developmentprocess: lessons from the United States’ Congress”, South African Journal <strong>of</strong>International Affairs,16, No.3 (2009): 291-292.226 Ibid., 303.227 Ibid., 296.228 Department <strong>of</strong> Foreign Affairs, Annual Reports, 2001/2, 2002/3, <strong>and</strong> 2008/9. Thisamounted to only a fraction (0,8%) <strong>of</strong> the three-year budget for that period, however.See National Treasury, 2008. “A People’s Guide to the Budget”, accessed online at:http://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/national%20budget/2008/guides/Budget%20Peoples%20guide%20eng%202008.pdf on 5 September, 2011.113

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