Malheureusement, l’invitation n’est disponible qu’en allemand et en anglais. Nous essayons toujours d’élargir notre offre en langue française et vous remercions de votre compréhension.

In the upcoming South African elections on 29 May 2024, an embattled African National Congress (ANC) faces the prospect of losing its majority for the first time since it came to power in 1994. The country may experience its first coalition government at a time when decisive action is needed to combat slow economic growth, rolling power blackouts, high crime, and unemployment. The election results will also affect South Africa’s delicate balancing of its foreign policy goals: achieving a rules-based international order, strengthening Africa’s position in the global order, and improving South–South cooperation. South Africa is not only an important country that must be engaged with in general, but also one of Germany’s key partners on the African continent. The BRICS member is set to host the G20 in 2025 and has made headlines both for its move to sue Israel at the International Court of Justice and its position towards Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

What are the implications of South Africa’s election results on both its domestic politics and foreign policy as well as on European and German relations? What are the prospects and challenges of the election results for collaborative efforts between Europe and South Africa in addressing global challenges such as climate change, security, and human rights?

These and other questions were at the core of the discussion to which the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) and the German Africa Foundation cordially invited.

Programme

Welcome Remarks:

Sabine Odhiambo, Secretary General, German Africa Foundation

Discussion:

Mohamed Cassimjee, Geopolitical Consultant, former diplomat and former Minister Plenipotentiary at the South African Embassy in Berlin

Qaanitah Hunter, former assistant editor for the major SA online news platform News24 and author of the book “Who will Rule South Africa?”

Dr Maxine Rubin, Research Fellow, GIGA Institute for African Affairs, German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)

Associate Professor Dr Zwelethu Jolobe, Head of Political Studies Department, University of Cape Town

Moderation:

Professor Dr Christian von Soest, Head of Research Programme « Peace and Security », German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)