South Africa

Long the example of stability on the African continent, South Africa emerged in the 1990s, after decades of apartheid, as an up-and-coming democracy ruled by the African National Congress (ANC), then headed by Nelson Mandela. It was listed as one of the BRICS rising economies – along with Brazil, Russia, ...

With alleged corruption permeating the South African government and protests spreading across the country for President Jacob Zuma to go, some outside observers view the once up-and-coming African nation as on the road to downfall. The Cipher Brief’s Kaitlin Lavinder spoke with the University of Johannesburg political scientist Steven Friedman, ...

The new Fund for Peace 2017 Fragile States Index (FSI) shows South Africa as increasingly unstable, ranking third in stability for Africa, behind Botswana and Ghana, and one of the most-worsened countries in the past decade. Retired Ambassador Herman Cohen, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs ...

The political party almost synonymous with anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, the African National Congress (ANC), is losing its grip on power. At the same time, South African President and ANC party head Jacob Zuma is attempting to tighten his hold on the reins.  Zuma announced he will begin to directly ...

The political party associated with anti-apartheid leader and former South African President Nelson Mandela – the African National Congress (ANC) –  may, for the first time since apartheid ended, be in a position to lose the next presidential elections in 2019. The Cipher Brief’s Kaitlin Lavinder spoke with the University ...

South Africa’s ruling party since the end of apartheid in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC), has been dropping in popular support, exemplified by recent losses in local elections. With presidential elections coming up in 2019, The Cipher Brief’s Kaitlin Lavinder asked Prince Mashele, a South African national and Executive ...

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa has achieved much: over 3.5 million homes have been built for those with low-incomes, millions have benefitted from the provision of electricity, and a sophisticated social grant system benefitting 15 million people has reduced the number of people facing absolute poverty. ...

Since Somalia’s independence in 1960, its relationship with the U.S. has been—for lack of a better metaphor—on a roller coaster that travels up and down dangerous steeps and performs sudden inversions that turn everything upside down. In other words, due to lack of formal and sustainable policy toward Somalia, the ...

Historically, Sub-Saharan Africa has been most known for poverty, hunger, corruption, and violence.  Alongside this message, the image of a rising, or aspiring, Africa has recently emerged, as many Sub-Saharan African countries are becoming known for their vast resources and growing business opportunities.  How did this continent, once known primarily ...

Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s January 1 announcement that he will stand for a third term following the December 2015 constitutional referendum, thereby ending the two-term limit, was expected. But what does it mean for Rwanda’s future? Some observers say that voters want continuity. Rwandans have certainly benefited from the country’s ...

South Africa has come a long way since 1994, when the country was on a knife’s edge, and it seemed civil war was imminent. With strong leadership by Nelson Mandela, the transition was relatively peaceful, and political violence reduced substantially during the first years of democracy.  Indeed, since the birth ...

CSS Tactical (Pty) Ltd, a security company in Johannesburg, South Africa, takes a community policing approach to crime prevention.  CEO Ricky Croock discussed with The Cipher Brief the biggest security concerns to businesses operating in South Africa and how technology and manpower can help confront the growing crime threat.  The ...

Ambassador John Campbell served as a Foreign Service Officer in South Africa during the transition from apartheid to majority rule.  He told The Cipher Brief that South Africa has undergone immense changes, but more needs to be done to reduce poverty which has led to a recent spike in crime ...

Illovo Sugar Limited, Africa’s biggest sugar producer, exports raw and refined sugar globally.  After crime and conflict in South Africa over land ownership affected business operations, Illovo South Africa began working on redistributing land to local farmers, well before the government implemented such a policy.  Chris Fitz-Gerald, Illovo’s Communication Manager, ...