Democracy and Political Culture

The artwork, created by the artist Lwanda Mthengenya, shows citizens demonstrating for accountability while the country faces high unemployment and political crises. — Creator: FES South Africa I Artist: Lwanda Mthengenya

The persistence of inequality, exploitation, oppression, violence, corruption and commodification of public services has caused a big credibility crisis for South Africa’s democracy. In the same vein, politics – once thought of as a tool for ordinary people to exercise agency – is increasingly seen as a tool of the elites. At FES we believe that politics and the work of democracy cannot be left to the powerful. Our work supports the building of alliances between progressive activists who work for renewal inside political parties and those who practice politics outside party machineries. We aim to contribute to an inclusive political culture that leans on feminist insights and centers the marginalized voices of the working class, women, youth, and members of the LGBTQI community. We also believe that an inclusive political culture broadens the meaning of participation beyond elections and foregrounds creativity, imagination, agency, renewal and hope.

Events

Event
Democracy and Political Culture

Age of identity politics?

South Africa’s 2024 elections have significantly demonstrated how political, racial, regional, and ethnic identities have been shifting...

Event
Democracy and Political Culture

International Youth Summit: Expand Democracy

“Anger is not sustainable as an organizing tool. It does not give us the longevity to topple inequality and change the economy of this country.

News
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Youth leadership programme
Democracy and Political Culture
Fort Hare Autumn School

Fort Hare Activist School Call for Application 2025

South Africa needs progressive leaders. Will you be one of them?

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Recent Publications

Gendered impacts - blind responses

Dommen, Caroline | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

the 2025 Tariff crisis and the case for gender transformative reforms

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Gendered costs of the US tariff shock in South Africa's export citrus sector

Naidu, Vahini ; Bagooro, Sylvester Wullo | Bonn : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, September 2026

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Forging strong alliances

Adotey Buckman, David ; Essien, Lucy Abotare ; Meissner, Kathrin | Johannesburg : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Trade Union Competence Centre for Sub-Saharan Africa, [2024]

trade unions uniting across Sub-Saharan Africa and Germany

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The quest for equitable multilateralism

Mbete, Sithembile | Johannesburg : Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, [2024]

mapping South African interests in reforming the global order

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A diverse group of around 20 young people pose together inside a museum or exhibition space with wooden floors and white walls. Some are standing while others sit on the floor, smiling and looking at the camera. Several wear event badges on lanyards. Behind them is a large black-and-white historical photograph and two portrait displays mounted on the wall, creating a sense of learning, heritage, and collective engagement. — Creator: Xara Fourie

Youth Leadership programme

Over the course of one year, 25 young leaders grapple with the challenges facing South African society and imagine alternative pathways out of SA’s crises in the Fort Hare Autumn School.