In Rabat, a South African voice rose with clarity and conviction to support Moroccan autonomy plan for the final settlement of the Moroccan Sahara issue. That voice belongs to Stevens Mokgalapa, former Mayor of Tshwane (South Africa’s administrative capital) and former Member of the National Assembly.
By publicly endorsing the Moroccan proposal, Stevens Mokgalapa breaks with a long-standing dominant stance within South Africa’s political establishment, traditionally aligned with the separatist Polisario cause.
This position was expressed during the 9th edition of the African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO), organized by the Policy Center for the New South, and held in Rabat from June 19 to 20, 2025. Under the theme “Africa in the Face of Global Uncertainties”, the conference brought together high-level experts, researchers, policymakers, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and military officials to address a critical issue: the collective and sustainable construction of peace in Africa amid the continent’s transformations and today’s global disruptions.
Mokgalapa’s declaration marks both a symbolic and strategic turning point. A seasoned political figure in South Africa, he joined the Democratic Party in 1999 and its successor, the Democratic Alliance (DA), in 2000. Rising quickly through the ranks, he served as a regional executive member, branch chairperson, and township strategy officer, before being elected municipal councillor for Tshwane in December 2000. Following the 2006 local elections, he became a proportional representation (PR) councillor and held several key strategy roles within the DA caucus. Elected to the National Assembly in 2009, he served for a decade until becoming Mayor of Tshwane in 2019.
With such strong credentials, Stevens Mokgalapa today lends clear and explicit support to Moroccan autonomy plan, which he describes as “a pragmatic, sustainable solution that aligns with the region’s development aspirations.” He also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to foster peace dynamics while respecting national sovereignty and promoting economic growth in Morocco’s southern provinces.
In a country like South Africa, where support for the Polisario has long been dogmatic, Mokgalapa’s position represents a decisive shift in tone. He emphasized that an increasing number of African leaders—including those in Southern Africa—now recognize Morocco’s plan as the only serious and credible framework for resolution. He urged a reassessment of entrenched postures and highlighted the need for South-South cooperation to take precedence over Cold War-era ideological legacies.
By choosing Rabat to deliver this message, Stevens Mokgalapa sends a clear signal: South Africa can and must recalibrate its foreign policy in a more balanced direction, one that reflects the continent’s evolving geopolitical landscape. His speech aligns with a broader trend of African states deepening ties with Morocco through economic diplomacy, investment, and a shared vision for the continent’s future.
Mokgalapa’s endorsement is not an isolated act—it reflects a slow but tangible evolution in the mindset of South Africa’s political elite. It may well pave the way for a reconfiguration of alliances and perspectives surrounding the Sahara issue, in favor of stability, dialogue, and regional development.
