South African freedom struggle stalwart Andrew Mlangeni at the UN.
Although a commited veteran of the ANC, Mlangeni was no party apparatchik. He was outspoken against endemic corruption in government.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s freedom struggle icon and first black president, continues to be revered around the world.
Mandela left at the right time in 1999, when the country still seemed in a healthy state, after which he consolidated his international reputation.
The post-apartheid system of participatory democracy is generally considered to have failed.
EPA-EFE/Yeshiel Panchia
The challenge for the deepening of South Africa’s democracy is that the very existence of vanguardism prevents the realisation of empowered citizens.
South African Tourism
The stalemate in Tshwane is a manifestation of coalition arrangements that serve the partisan interests of parties, to the detriment of citizens.
Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24/Gallo Images/Getty Images
South Africa’s Constitutional Court verdict is possibly a defining moment for South Africa’s electoral system.
Rivonia trialist Denis Goldberg speaking at a gala event in 2011 to honour the surviving members of the Rivonia Trial.
Photo by Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Goldberg was the youngest Rivonia triallist. Segregated prisons meant he was sent to Pretoria, while his fellow accused were incarcerated on Robben Island.
Oukasie residents protest over poor service delivery in 2010.
Jaco Marais/Gallo Images/Getty Images
A readable and important new book on the struggle for justice in South Africa’s Oukasie township does not go far enough to question the feasibility of grassroots resistance.
Flowcomm/Flickr/Sol Plaatje House Museum
The life and work of seminal South African writer, intellectual and politician Sol Plaatje seems more relevant than ever. We look into some of the latest scholarly inquiry.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has to inspire confidence amid growing scepticism.
GCIS
The challenge to deliver a persuasive speech comes firstly in the context of intense doubts as to whether President Ramaphosa is truly in charge of the ANC.
FW de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa.
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In his new capacity as President of South Africa, FW de Klerk directly experienced for the first time how the international community had abandoned its support for minority white rule.
Anti-corruption protesters march on Parliament in Cape Town in 2017.
shutterstock/Aqua Images
In South Africa, state corruption has taken hold with utter disregard for ethics and democratic norms in a cynical exploitation of the post-apartheid transformation agenda.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech failed to inspire confidence.
EFE-EPA/ANC handout
The year ahead promises to be a very difficult but also a very decisive year for South Africa. Is President Ramaphosa equal to the challenge?
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and the governing African National Congress.
EPA/Nic Bothma
The most that may be hoped for from the party’s annual statement is evidence of a president who is confident, clear and courageous.
Cyril Ramaphosa is president of South Africa as well as president of the governing African National Congress. The party has scuppered coalition building at local government level.
EPA/Yeshiel Panchia
Coalitions work best when parties in the partnership are aligned politically.
Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters Julius Malema (C) addresses the media after local elections in 2016.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
Political mistrust is high as the country looks to the next municipal elections in 2021.
Johannesburg: one of three South African cities in which coalitions have collapsed.
EPA/Jon Hrusa
Successful coalition governance ultimately depends on political maturity and the ability to govern across divisions.
South Africa’s new sex education curriculum is seen by some as infringing on the rights of parents.
EFE-EPA/Jon Hrusa
Objections raised about the school syllabus by parents, schools and civil society point to a bigger problem with the state.
Helen Zille’s election as head of the Democratic Alliance’s federal council has rattled many.
EFE-EPA/Nic Bothma
All signs point to the Democratic Alliance being in deep turmoil which will affect its strength as South Africa’s official opposition.
Supporters of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa gather earlier this year to listen to the party’s leaders.
Epa/Kim Ludbrook
Race is the fault line. Prominent black DA figures label attempts to remove leader Mmusi Maimane as an attempt by whites to force black members into a subordinate position.
Mmusi Maimane, leader of South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
Because it’s a blend of political influences the transition it is facing has, inevitably, had an existential effect on the Democratic Alliance.