Following Jacob Zuma’s tenure, during which corruption became endemic, tarnishing the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa was touted as the party’s saviour. But he failed to impress.
Current president Cyril Ramaphosa leads the ANC.
Eva-Lotta Jansson/Alamy
The second episode of What happened to Nelson Mandela’s South Africa?, a three-part podcast series on The Conversation Weekly. Featuring interviews with Mashupye Maserumule and Michael Sachs.
Public confidence in the Constitutional Court is key to its legitimacy.
Felix Dlangamandla/AFP via Getty Images.
The court covered itself in glory in the first 15 years, but its performance has been patchy since then, coinciding with Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
The April 1994 international mediation team in South Africa, with Washington Okumu sitting between the US’s Henry Kissinger and the UK’s Peter Carrington.
Washington Okumu, reused by Nancy J. Jacobs with permission
A lot of good has happened since apartheid ended in 1994. Sadly, 30 years on, the country is in a political and economic crisis. Many are questioning the choices of the past three decades.
Jacob Zuma at the launch of his new party, uMkhonto Wesizwe, in 2023.
Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images via Getty Images
When Essop Pahad was given a job, he did it efficiently. He surprised even his critics with his diligence.
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (C) and Ghana’s founder and first President Kwame Nkrumah (L) during the formation of the Organisation of African Unity.
STR/AFP via Getty Images
The African Union compares well to other continental unions. It accomplishes more than the Commonwealth or the Francophonie.
Chris Hani (R) after being elected secretary general of the South African Communist Party in December 1991. To his left is the former secretary general Jo Slovo.
Walter Dhladhla/AFP via Getty Images
South Africa’s foreign policy under Ramaphosa emphasises economic diplomacy and ‘progressive internationalism’, which promotes global equity and ending the dominance of the global north.
Loyalists of the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation (RET) at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
Rajesh Jantilal/AFP via Getty Images
Despite its vagueness, the RET has become central to the contemporary ANC. It is destined to remain a powerful bloc within the party, and a constant constraint on Ramaphosa leadership.
A replica of the famous Linton Panel.
Courtesy Rock Art Research Institute/Origins Centre
A new exhibition in Johannesburg focuses on the beliefs and paintings of the San people.
South Africa’s democratic era presidents, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa.
Penguin Random House South Africa
Mandela, the first president of a democratic South Africa, made big strategic choices – not necessarily the right ones, but certainly ones that were befitting of the times.
Protesters and police clash during a march against illegal immigrants in South Africa.
Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Scapegoating immigrants will not result in significantly improved healthcare service provision, reduced crime or less unemployment.
ANC supporters show support for corruption accused and suspended party secretary general Ace Magashule outside court in Bleomfontein.
EFE-EPA/Conrad Bornman