NEWS ANALYSIS: Constitution casts a different light on Tshwane mayor’s trip to Taiwan
A cabinet minister and a department cite the constitution in criticising a mayor’s Taiwan visit, but a closer reading puts the issue in another light, writes Mark Allix
Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa’s statement that the DA is being "disingenuous over the colossal diplomatic gaffe" prompted by Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga’s visit to Taiwan is instructive.In her well-argued, if somewhat sarcastic, piece she reiterates that all reference to the visit by the DA is "dressed in the pious language of job creation and promoting investment".Molewa says it is "diplomacy 101" for anyone who understands diplomatic relations that they should not confuse trade missions to establish new markets — by nonpolitical staff and the business community — with furthering diplomatic ties.The minister chairs government’s international co-operation, trade and security cluster and the ANC’s international-relations subcommittee. So she knows a thing or two about SA’s relationship with mainland China and its "renegade province", the island of Taiwan.SA and the UN do not recognise Taiwan as a sovereign state, although about 20 members of the UN, mostly smaller Centr...
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