South Africa

List of South Africa articles

  • Two men, one in a t-shirt, the other in a uniform, beret and sunglasses, hold up a large painted portrait of Jacob Zuma in military garb and holding a spear. The men stand in front of a large stadium, with the crowd seen behind them.
    Two men, one in a t-shirt, the other in a uniform, beret and sunglasses, hold up a large painted portrait of Jacob Zuma in military garb and holding a spear. The men stand in front of a large stadium, with the crowd seen behind them.

    Why Jacob Zuma Still Looms Large in South African Politics

    South Africa’s controversial former president could end up as the country’s kingmaker—despite being banned from running for office.

  • Field level inside a soccer stadium, four players running towards camera smile and hug each other to celebrate a goal. A frowning opposition goalkeeper is a bit behind them on the right of the composition. The fans in the stadium stands are blurred in the background.
    Field level inside a soccer stadium, four players running towards camera smile and hug each other to celebrate a goal. A frowning opposition goalkeeper is a bit behind them on the right of the composition. The fans in the stadium stands are blurred in the background.

    The African Cup of Migrations

    Aspiring soccer players used to leave the continent to pursue their dreams in Europe. Now they are coming home.

  • Several photographers and videographers swarm a bench of judges as they take their seats at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands. The room is lined with wooden paneling and chandeliers hang above. headphones and translation devices sit on the bench in front of the members of the court.
    Several photographers and videographers swarm a bench of judges as they take their seats at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands. The room is lined with wooden paneling and chandeliers hang above. headphones and translation devices sit on the bench in front of the members of the court.
  • A man with a serious expression holds the Palestinian and South African flags as he stands at a demonstration in support for Palestinians in Bucharest, Romania, under a cloudy sky.
    A man with a serious expression holds the Palestinian and South African flags as he stands at a demonstration in support for Palestinians in Bucharest, Romania, under a cloudy sky.

    South Africa’s ICJ Case Was Too Narrow

    By omitting Hamas and limiting its case to the crime of genocide, Pretoria lost an opportunity to halt the fighting.

  • A crowd of people wave Palestinian flags under a dim sky at dusk as they gather around a statue of late South African President Nelson Mandela with his fist raised in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.
    A crowd of people wave Palestinian flags under a dim sky at dusk as they gather around a statue of late South African President Nelson Mandela with his fist raised in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

    What South Africa Really Won at the ICJ

    For much of the world, Pretoria has restored its reputation as a moral beacon—at America’s expense.

  • An illustration shows a row of clenched fists holding the national flags of the U.K., the U.S., Bangladesh, South Africa, and India for a story about nationalism in elections.
    An illustration shows a row of clenched fists holding the national flags of the U.K., the U.S., Bangladesh, South Africa, and India for a story about nationalism in elections.

    The Specter of Nationalism

    Identity politics has always influenced elections. In 2024, it will pose a serious threat to liberalism—and to democracy itself. This article has an audio recording

  • A photo collage illustration shows candidates for global elections in 2024 including: India's Narendra Modi; Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum; Russia's Vladimir Putin; Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro; South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa; Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina; the United Kingdom's Rishi Sunak; Taiwan's Lai Ching-te; El Salvador's Nayib Bukele; and Tunisia's Kais Said.
    A photo collage illustration shows candidates for global elections in 2024 including: India's Narendra Modi; Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum; Russia's Vladimir Putin; Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro; South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa; Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina; the United Kingdom's Rishi Sunak; Taiwan's Lai Ching-te; El Salvador's Nayib Bukele; and Tunisia's Kais Said.

    Elections to Follow in 2024

    Dozens of countries will vote this year. In many of them, democracy is at a tipping point.

  • An illustration shows the lopped off lower half of the globe with a diverse group of people holding it up from below for a story about the term "the global south."
    An illustration shows the lopped off lower half of the globe with a diverse group of people holding it up from below for a story about the term "the global south."

    Was 2023 the Year of the Global South?

    From the halls of the United Nations to leaders’ podiums, policymakers fixated on the concept this year.

  • foreign-policy-Podcasts-2023-fp
    foreign-policy-Podcasts-2023-fp

    Our Podcasts, Ourselves

    FP’s five best episodes of 2023.

  • From left to right: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gesture during the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
    From left to right: Chinese President Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gesture during the 2023 BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The Dollar’s Dominance Is Shakier Than Ever

    BRICS has growing currency leverage despite internal divisions.

  • A large crowd of supporters of Nelson Mandela protest against apartheid in 1994. A group of men in the foreground carry a long white box that reads "Farewell apartheid, don't come back."
    A large crowd of supporters of Nelson Mandela protest against apartheid in 1994. A group of men in the foreground carry a long white box that reads "Farewell apartheid, don't come back."

    South African History From Above

    A sweeping new history of the country focuses primarily on elites, rather than the grassroots movements that overturned apartheid.

  • Argentine President Alberto Fernández (right) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prepare for photos as part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit hosted in Buenos Aires on Jan. 24.
    Argentine President Alberto Fernández (right) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prepare for photos as part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit hosted in Buenos Aires on Jan. 24.

    BRICS Invitation Puts Argentina in a Tough Spot

    Ahead of a presidential election, debate in Buenos Aires reveals the mounting challenges of multi-alignment.

  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022.
    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022.

    India Can’t Cut the Cord From China

    Amid a stalemate at the border, it’s clear that Xi Jinping still has the upper hand.

  • U.S. President Joe Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walk to a working session at the G-7 summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom.
    U.S. President Joe Biden and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa walk to a working session at the G-7 summit in Cornwall in the United Kingdom.

    Inside the Desperate Diplomatic Efforts to Salvage U.S.-South Africa Ties

    South Africa’s support for Russia after its invasion of Ukraine has incensed some in Washington.

  • From left to right: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for photos at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1.
    From left to right: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar pose for photos at the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 1.

    BRICS Faces a Reckoning

    Enlargement would be a sign not of the group’s strength, but of China’s growing influence.

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