This article seeks to operationalise "Afrocentricity" as an alternative theoretical lens to decipher intra-African relations (Asante, 2003). Using largely qualitative and secondary data, the article primarily examines the bilateral relations between South Africa (SA) and Swaziland, thus addressing Pretoria's foreign policy position on Mbabane. The country's reaction to crises in Swaziland, since the dawn of democracy in 1994, has reflected the competing values inherent in its foreign policy principles. While SA's foreign policy clearly states a commitment to advancing the principles of good governance and democracy, this has not been the obvious case when engaging with Swaziland,an absolute monarchy. This uneasiness has raised serious epistemological and policy questions. It has even perpetuated divisions in the ruling Tripartite Alliance in SA. Despite the fact that the Congress of South AfricanTrade Unions (CO