The Eagle and the Springbok

Essays on Nigeria and South Africa

Nigeria and South Africa account for about a third of Africa's economic might, and have led much of its conflict management initiatives over the last two-and-a-half decades. Both account for at least 60 per cent of the economy of their respective sub-regions in West and Southern Africa.The success of political and economic integration in Africa thus rests heavily on the shoulders of these two regional powers, who have both collaborated and competed with each other in a complex relationship that is Africa's most indispensable. Nigeria and South Africa have also sought to give Africa a stronger global voice, while competing as rivals on issues such as peacemaking in Côte d'Ivoire, Libya and Guinea-Bissau. While Nigeria is the most ethnically diverse country in Africa, South Africa is the most racially diverse state on the continent. Both countries have had a tremendous cultural impact on the continent in terms of Nollywood movies and the expansion of South Africa's corporate sector into Africa.This book assesses Nigeria/South Africa relations in the areas of politics, economics, and culture within the context of rivalries and hegemony.