South Africa between Polarisation and Populism

South Africa between Polarisation and Populism

In Conversation with Gregor Jaecke and Doctor Holger Dix Three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa’s young democracy faces profound challenges. Persistent inequality, political polarization, and the legacy of racial segregation continue to shape the country’s future. Following the 2024 elections, the African National Congress (ANC) lost significant support and entered a Government of National Unity with several other parties. At the same time, populist movements and identity-based politics are reshaping the political landscape, making consensus and stable governance increasingly difficult. In this episode, we explore with Gregor Jaecke, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s South Africa Office, and Doctor Holger Dix, Head of the Konrad- Adenauer Foundation’s Regional Programme Political Dialogue Sub-Saharan Africa, the fragmentation of South Africa’s party system, the challenges facing its democracy, and the prospects for reform, social justice, and political stability. We also examine similar political trends across other African countries, where economic pressures, democratic backsliding, and growing public discontent are reshaping political landscapes and challenging established parties. The current issue of International Reports, the foreign policy magazine of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is available online here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/the-centre-right-a-look-at-conservative-and-christian-democratic-parties-worldwide [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/the-centre-right-a-look-at-conservative-and-christian-democratic-parties-worldwide] Find the full report by Gregor Jaecke and Dr. Christoph Wiedenroth on South Africa’s Fragile Political Centre, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/south-africa-s-fragile-political-centre [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/south-africa-s-fragile-political-centre] Find the full report by Dr. Holger Dix and Henri Bohnet on the Democracy Union of Africa, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/how-can-centre-right-parties-hold-their-ground-in-africa [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/how-can-centre-right-parties-hold-their-ground-in-africa] Subscribe to the print version of “International Reports” free of charge: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir]

Latin America’s Party Landscape Shifts to the Right

In Conversation with Henning Suhr and Olaf Jacob Latin America is once again in political transition—this time tilting to the right. In this episode, Henning Suhr, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Regional Programme Party Dialogue and Democracy in Latin America, and Olaf Jacob, Head of KAS in Chile, discuss the decline of the “pink tide” and the rise of leaders like Javier Milei and Nayib Bukele. Driven by a younger, less ideological electorate, the shift reflects demands for stability, growth, and accountability. But is this a durable realignment—or another turn in the region’s political cycle? The current issue of International Reports, the foreign policy magazine of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is available online here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/the-centre-right-a-look-at-conservative-and-christian-democratic-parties-worldwide [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/the-centre-right-a-look-at-conservative-and-christian-democratic-parties-worldwide] Find the full report by Henning Suhr on Latin America’s Party Landscape Shifts to the Right, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/latin-america-s-party-landscape-shifts-to-the-right [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/latin-america-s-party-landscape-shifts-to-the-right] Subscribe to the print version of “International Reports” free of charge: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir]

Backing with Side Effects: Israel’s View of Trump 2.0

In Conversation with Dr. Thomas Volk and Dr. Michael Rimmel This episode examines how the second administration of Donald Trump marks a return to a clearly pro-Israel but increasingly unilateral Middle East policy. Aid to Israel expanded while support for the Palestinian Authority froze. Joint strikes against Iran and disputes over Gaza reveal widening gaps, fueling debate in Israel over strategic risks and growing dependence on partisan US backing. In this episode, we speak with Michael Rimmel, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Jerusalem, and Thomas Volk, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department. They offer firsthand insights into Israel’s shifting political landscape and the regional implications of Trump’s second term. The current issue of International Reports, the foreign policy magazine of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is available online here: https://www.kas.de/documents/259121/41492686/IR0425AmericaFirstAgainFull_Issue.pdf/8e3b0046-1e5c-5427-b82c-3bb2a030a4ba?version=3.0&t=1765993932872 [https://www.kas.de/documents/259121/41492686/IR_04_25_America_First_Again_Full_Issue.pdf/8e3b0046-1e5c-5427-b82c-3bb2a030a4ba?version=3.0&t=1765993932872] Find the full report by Dr. Michael Rimmel, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/israel-s-view-of-trump-2-0 [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/israel-s-view-of-trump-2-0] Subscribe to the print version of “International Reports” free of charge: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir]

Asia’s relations with the United States under Trump 2.0

In Conversation with Christian Echle and Lewe Paul In this episode, we explore how Asia — and especially Vietnam — are navigating a new and unsettled era in their ties with Washington. We trace Vietnam’s rise since 1975, its ambitious doi moi reforms, and the recent peak in relations under Biden’s 2023 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Now, with tariffs initially set at 46 per cent and later reduced to 20 per cent, and with key USAID programmes suspended, Hanoi leans on its trademark “bamboo diplomacy” to maintain stability. While Lewe Paul, Head of the Vietnam Country Office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, offers insights into Vietnam’s position, Christian Echle, Head of the Department Asia and Pacific of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, explains how countries across Asia are recalibrating their relations with the United States in this new era of strategic uncertainty. The current issue of International Reports, the foreign policy magazine of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is available online here: America First – Again. How the World Is Dealing with Donald Trump’s Foreign Policy - International Reports - Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Find the full report by Lewe Paul on Vietnam’s Relations with the United States under Trump 2.0, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/vietnam-s-relations-with-the-united-states-under-trump-2-0 [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/vietnam-s-relations-with-the-united-states-under-trump-2-0] Subscribe to the print version of “International Reports” free of charge: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir]

Rethinking German Development Cooperation

In Conversation with Dr. Susanne Conrad and Dr. Olaf Wientzek German development cooperation should be more closely aligned with economic priorities and take a more strategic approach to strengthen public support at home and to facilitate access for German companies to developing and emerging economies. Partner countries often view an open and transparent acknowledgement of Germany’s own interests as respectful and legitimate, while paternalistic approaches shaped by socio-political debate in Germany weaken support both domestically and in partner countries. We trace the contours of a more pragmatic and transparent development policy — in conversation with Olaf Wientzek, Head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundations Multinational Development Policy Dialogue in Brussels, and Dr Susanne Conrad, Policy Adviser for Rule of Law and Security in Africa and for Anglophone West Africa at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The current issue of International Reports, the foreign policy magazine of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, is available online here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/colonial-legacy-and-foreign-policy [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/ausgaben/issues/-/content/colonial-legacy-and-foreign-policy] Find the full report by Fabian Wagener, Ingo F.J. Badoreck, Dr. Susanne Conrad, Magdalena Jetschgo-Morcillo, Dr. Olaf Wientzek, Nils Wörmer on Recommendations for a Realignment of German Development Cooperation, here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/anregungen-fuer-eine-neuausrichtung-der-deutschen-entwicklungszusammenarbeit [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/artikel/detail/-/content/anregungen-fuer-eine-neuausrichtung-der-deutschen-entwicklungszusammenarbeit] Subscribe to the print version of “International Reports” free of charge: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir [https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinformationen/subscribe-to-ir]