South African destabilization : the economic cost of frontline resistance to apartheid.

Abstract

South Africa’s regional destabilization strategy during apartheid inflicted severe human and economic costs on neighboring states. Through military aggression, economic sabotage, and support for proxy forces, it caused over 1.5 million deaths, massive displacement, and $60 billion in economic losses (1980–88). Mozambique and Angola bore the brunt, with GDP losses exceeding 100% in some years, while other Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) members faced significant setbacks. Destruction of infrastructure, disrupted education, and forced dependence on South Africa exacerbated poverty and stalled development. Despite portraying itself as a "peacemaker," South Africa prolonged regional suffering.