German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien

South Africa

South Africa exemplifies a largely successful peace process after the end of Apartheid. However, considerable political, social, and economic challenges persist. GIGA researchers examine South Africa’s democracy, political representation, foreign policy, and transitional justice, as well as its role in international relations.

Contact

Current Research

Countries and Regions

Dr. Martin Acheampong

Research Fellow

[email protected]

Democracy and Democratisation in Africa
(In-)Formal Political Institutions in Emerging Democracies
Political Representation
Parliaments in Africa
Personalization of Executive Power in Africa
Intra/inter-party competition

Sub-Sahara Africa
Ghana
South Africa

PD Dr. Dr. Ariel Macaspac Hernandez

Research Fellow

[email protected]

Negotiations and stakeholder dialogue
Conflict management
Transformation to sustainability
Care and human flourishing
Governance of sustainability transitions
Knowledge cooperation, knowledge/science diplomacy
Scenario-building and futures scenarios
Sustainable energy
Urban mobility
Food security
Climate change, climate governance
Environmental and climate justice

Asia and Pacific
Latin America and the Caribbean
Southern Africa
Philippines
Indonesia
India
Japan
Mexico
Brazil
South Africa
Jamaica

Dr. Maxine Rubin

Research Fellow / Editor Africa Spectrum

T. +49 (40) 42825-549 [email protected]

International Criminal Court.
Africa's International Relations and agency.
South African politics and international relations.
Transitional and transformative justice.
Reparations.

African members of the International Criminal Court.
South Africa

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

T. +49 (30) 25040-986 / +49 (40) 42825-590 [email protected]

International sanctions and interventions
Authoritarian regimes
Legitimation of political regimes
Foreign policy and development policy

Southern Africa and East Africa
South Africa
Botswana
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Kenya

GIGA Insights | 23/08/2023

BRICS Summit 2023: Union of the Global South

The alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa is meeting for the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. The grouping wants to reposition itself, and many countries of the Global South are interested in joining. GIGA experts observe and analyse these developments.

GIGA Journal Family | 17/12/2023

New Africa Spectrum 3/2023

Drawing upon ethnographic and historical research to study settings in East, West, and Southern Africa, the articles in this special issue review the social changes that have taken place regarding men's roles and assess prospects for the emergence of counter-hegemonic masculinities.

Aus Politik und Zeitgeschichte | 12/2024

Souveränität, territoriale Integrität, Nichteinmischung: BRICS als sicherheitspolitischer Akteur

Trotz ihrer Heterogenität sollte die Bedeutung der BRICS auch in sicherheitspolitischer Hinsicht nicht unterschätzt werden. Während interne Spannungen fortbestehen, gewinnt die Gruppe sowohl symbolisch als auch diskursiv an Einfluss – gerade im Globalen Süden.

Prof. Dr. Miriam Prys-Hansen

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Research Programme "Global Orders and Foreign Policies"

GIGA Focus Africa | 3/2024

South Africa’s Watershed Election: The Dawn of Coalition Politics

In a historic election, the African National Congress lost its absolute majority for the first time since the democratic transition in 1994. Amid a profound domestic crisis and significant international challenges, South Africa’s political landscape will fundamentally change.

Dr. Maxine Rubin

Research Fellow / Editor Africa Spectrum

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

Workshop | 16/10/2025

South Africa’s G20 Presidency – How to Foster New Global Partnerships in a Multipolar World

Given more fragmented and contested global cooperation, the question looms: Can the G20 effectively navigate a fractured international landscape? What does it take to tackle global challenges within weakened multilateral institutions? Can South Africa’s presidency offer a new path forward? How can Germany contribute to make South Africa’s G20 presidency a success? These and other questions will be addressed during our workshop.

F.A.Z. PRO Weltwirtschaft | Expert Comment / Guest Contribution | 10/07/2025

Kolumne Weltblick: Die Risse im BRICS-Bündnis wachsen

Die Ergebnisse des BRICS-Gipfels bleiben vage. Die gewachsene Gruppe des Globalen Südens vertritt keine gemeinsame Linie, stellt Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest fest.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

F.A.Z. PRO Weltwirtschaft | Expert Comment / Guest Contribution | 10/10/2024

Kolumne Weltblick: Südafrikas neues Regierungsbündnis macht Mut

Der Weg der „Regierung der Nationalen Einheit“ erscheint vielversprechend – in einem Land, in dem der Wohlstand extrem ungleich verteilt ist, meint unser Kolumnist.

Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest

Lead Research Fellow / Head of Policy Exchange and Berlin Office

Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | 10/04/2025

EU’s Engagement With Emerging Powers: Opportunities and Caveats

Organiser: Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Dr. Tomas Costa de Azevedo Marques (Speaker), Dr. Nele Fabian (Moderator)

The panel will focus on the EU's relations with emerging powers, with particular emphasis on Brazil and South Africa, in the context of climate change, green technology and the digital sphere. These countries and issue areas are considered of high potential for engagement.