Dan Moyane (ENCA) conducted an interview with Dr Makhubela (19 December) on the decision by major shipping companies to re-route vessels from the Red Sea and Suez Canal, to seek passage to Europe via the Cape of Good Hope.
This development shows the extent to which the Middle East conflict is escalating due to resistance against Israeli actions against Gaza. Houthi rebels from Yemen have been attacking ships with drones and missiles, while they have also launched ballistic missiles against Israeli targets. US, French naval vessels have been deployed in the Red Sea to provide protection.
The implication is that ships are being re-routed via the Cape of Good Hope, underlining the critical importance of South Africa. Dr Makhubela analyses the implications for South Africa. As the Red Sea, Suez Canal is under threat and increasingly militarised, South Africa, and South Africans should wake up to the fact that this country now also runs the risk of increased geopolitical/military strategic pressure to ‘align’ itself to opposing global forces that want control and/or influence over the strategic shipping route via the Cape of Good Hope!