Obinna, RichardNawases, Roseta M2025-09-192025-09-192025http://hdl.handle.net/11070/4131A Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Political ScienceThis study systematically analyses the nature of China’s relations with Africa from a comparative perspective. It uses Sino-Botswana and Sino-Namibia relations as specific case studies. The necessity of the comparative approach is to draw out similarities and differences of factors that influence the nature of Sino- African relations, with a specific focus on these two southern African states. The systematic study is grounded in the constructivist theoretical paradigm. Constructivism claims that core issues of international relations, national interests, security, identity, norms, and ideas are socially constructed. The foregrounding of the study in constructivism necessitated the adoption of the qualitative research methodology which allowed for a comprehensive data collection, thus advancing the reliability and trustworthiness of data and findings. Botswana and Namibia were found to share several commonalities in terms of foreign policies and relations with China. The two southern African states have established strong and effective foreign policy principles which guide their engagement with other states in general, and with China in particular. Empirical evidence emerging from this study suggests that both Botswana and Namibia are driven by specific foreign policy principles. Despite these commonalities, the dissimilarity of factors influences positive economic and political outcomes for Botswana and Namibia in their ties with China. Firstly, history plays a vital role in the relations between China and Namibia but plays less role in the Sino- Botswana relations. The nature of the Sino-Namibian ties has been constant since the 1950s and is driven by historical linkage, specifically China’s role in Namibia’s liberation struggle. China was not largely involved in Botswana’s struggle for independence. Therefore, Botswana’s relations with China are not largely politically motivated but are economically determined. Secondly, results indicate that a change in political leadership and governance architecture has not entirely influenced the overall nature of relations China has with Namibia and Botswana. The principles of the relationships remain unchanged, however, approaches to the relations differ practically from one leader to another and these diverse foreign policy postures essentially influence the nature of Chinese presence in Botswana and Namibia in general and more so for Botswana. Also, stable and sustainable political leadership is essential in the bilateral relations China shares with Botswana and Namibia. iii Thirdly, Developmental State behaviour is noted. It has been established that while Botswana and Namibia are democratic developmental states, China is largely regarded as an authoritarian developmental state. However, the extent to which the Botswana and Namibian governments exert power and influence to achieve economic development goals in their relations with China vary. Motivated by economic determinism, Botswana exercises significant control and ownership of its natural resources and the mining industry. Motivated by political considerations, Namibia’s natural resources and the mining industry are largely owned by foreign entities, with China particularly in full control of the uranium mines in the Namibian state. Evidence which emerged from this comparative study suggests that patterns of the Sino- African relations duplicate those of neo-colonialism or rather demonstrate a “partially neo-colonising power”. The Asian state tends to take advantage of weaknesses inherent in the political economic system of different African states, as exemplified by Botswana and Namibia case studies. As a result of the historical past, the form of international neo-patrimonialism comes into play, particularly in the case of Namibia. The structure of the Forum of China -Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), in which African states are meant to sign documents containing what China has already decided to offer in terms of development to Africa, is brought forward. This happens without due consultation with African states and the priorities of such offerings in terms of Africa’s development agenda. This is indicative of a tendency of neo colonialism. The study suggests that for Namibia to benefit greatly from the relations with China in terms of economic development, there is a need for a clear distinction between political ties and economic ties, and a break from historic bondageenForeign relationsForeign policyPolitical leadershipGovernanceConstructivismDevelopment stateNeo-ColonialismThesis