Deeply concerning development in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Will @PresidencyZA or @RonaldLamola condemn this assault on democracy? Zimbabwe’s decline has the greatest impact on South African, and regional security as a whole. As a constitutional democracy, we cannot tolerate this.
🏛️Yesterday we had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Annelie Lotriet, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa.
We had the opportunity to share insights into our work on strengthening parliamentary processes in South Africa - a core priority for our foundation.
Because ultimately, a strong parliament is where democracy comes to life: where different perspectives meet, ideas are debated, government is held accountable and the voices of citizens are translated into policy. 🤝
Thank you Annelie Lotriet, MP - it was a pleasure to meet you and we look forward to future engagements!
One week ago, we came together to reflect on SONA 2026 — both what was said, and what remained unsaid.
Our joint event with the Mail & Guardian and the Embassy of Ireland provided an open space for exchange and fresh perspectives on Ramaphosas main aspects of the speech. Structural unemployment, economic growth, service delivery on local level and the fight against crime dominated a discussion that placed delivery, not rhetoric, at the centre of South Africa’s political moment.
A warm thank you to all our speakers — Asanda Ngoasheng, Prof. Christi van der Westhuizen, Angelo Fick and Sanusha Naidu — for sharing their insights, to Japhet Mathanda Ncube for moderating the discussion, and to our partners for making this conversation possible.
Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming our new Johannesburg KAS scholars.🧑🎓🤝
It was wonderful to connect, learn more about their studies and gain insight into their individual paths and ambitions. The KAS scholarship empowers both scholars and alumni to grow personally and academically ,exchange ideas and build lasting networks.🌏
Local must be lekker 🇿🇦🤝
With this focus, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung was proud to co host the FW de Klerk Foundation’s Annual Conference in Cape Town on 3 February 2026.
Thanks to the insights of Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, Auditor General Tsakani Maluleke and Executive Deputy Mayor Dr Ruben Richards, the conference spotlighted both the urgent need for change and the opportunities for renewal at the local level.
As Gregor Jaecke noted: “When local administrations are well structured, when procedures are clear, budgets transparent and services predictable, people start trusting their institutions.
And that trust strengthens democracy more than any speech or slogan ever could.”
With the 2026 Local Government Elections drawing closer, the topic could not be more urgent.
@fwdeklerkfdn
Der #Multilateralismus lebt: Trotz seiner Spannungen mit den USA präsentierte sich Gastgeber #Südafrika beim G20-Gipfel als geschickter Verhandlungsführer, analysieren unsere Südafrika-Experten @GregorJaecke & Christoph Wiedenroth im neuen Länderbericht 👇
https://t.co/3rmmHzJzi7
📍🏛️ 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗵𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮
From 15 to 18 November, Dr. Gerhard Wahlers, Deputy Secretary General and Head of the Division European and International Cooperation of the @KASonline, visited South Africa for high-level political discussions and meetings with partners.
The visit focused on the current domestic situation, including the Government of National Unity, security policy and South Africa’s role in international affairs. Dr. Wahlers also engaged with representatives of the Jewish and Christian communities and visited the @CTHGCentre. 📘
As part of the programme, he visited the Grassy Park Police Station to learn about the efforts that the police undertakes to ensure community safety. Further meetings with partners such as @SAIIA_info , the @fwdeklerkfdn and the Inkatha Freedom Party provided perspectives on political, societal and regional developments. 🌐
We thank all partners for the constructive exchange and continued cooperation. 🤝
#KASSouthAfrica #PoliticalDialogue #InternationalCooperation #SouthAfrica
🏛️ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 🇿🇦
"Local government is the frontline of democracy. It is where citizens experience political participation most directly through decisions about schools, roads, cultural services and social support. These decisions are tangible, immediate and relevant to everyday life." — Gregor Jaecke, Resident Representative of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in South Africa
On 16 October 2025, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung was invited by the @DDPdemocracy (DDP) for the Annual Local Government Conference 2025 in Durban.
The discussions underlined that local government remains the most immediate and visible sphere of democracy for South Africans, yet also one of the most challenged. With the 2026 local elections on the horizon, the conference explored how stronger governance, civic engagement and accountability can renew trust and strengthen local democracy.
A heartfelt thank you to our partner DDP and all participants for their valuable insights and commitment to building ethical, responsive and people-centred local governance. 🙏
#kassouthafrica #kas4democracy #localgovernance #civicengagement
Nous avons été accueillis chaleureusement par l’Ambassadeur Allemand en RDC, Excellence Ingo HERBERT pour remercier Mr. Jakob KERSTAN, Représentant Résident de la KAS en RDC, dont le mandat est arrivé à terme et souhaiter la bienvenue à Mr. Gregor JAECKE qui va faire l’intérim.