Released in 1997, Vulindlela reflects the optimism of a democratic South Africa – but Fassie’s ‘bad girl’ image also asks who is really welcome in this new society.
Articles on South Africa democracy 30
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The filmmakers followed the Reclaim the City campaign for six years to document their struggle for accommodation in Cape Town’s elite ‘city bowl’.
While a few new residential developments improve racial mixing, most other developments do not.
South Africa’s civil service has failed to implement policies to eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment.
The 2024 elections may be the tipping point that enables opposition parties to portray themselves as viable contenders in forming a national coalition government.
The South African government has failed to reverse the decline in smallholder farming that began during apartheid. A different approach is needed to support smallholder livelihoods.
There is much to celebrate about the critical role the media have played in 30 years of democracy. But challenges remain.
Would South Africa have been torn apart by civil war without the myth of Nelson Mandela?
The third and final part of our series What happened to Nelson Mandela’s South Africa on The Conversation Weekly podcast. Featuring interviews with Sithembile Mbete and Richard Calland.
Fewer young South Africans are doing as well as their counterparts from 30 years ago. They are hardest hit by unemployment.
Commerce, culture and heritage mix in rather strange and sometimes unsettling ways in South Africa, especially when the struggle for freedom is commemorated.
MeerKAT has made remarkable contributions to South African and international science.
The security services that watch over South Africans today are a far cry from the instruments of minority rule of the apartheid era. They are subject to the constitution and the rule of law.
After 30 years of democracy, South Africa is in a deep electricity crisis which can only be solved if the government moves speedily to set up solar and wind plants.
The second episode of What happened to Nelson Mandela’s South Africa?, a three-part podcast series on The Conversation Weekly. Featuring interviews with Mashupye Maserumule and Michael Sachs.
The court covered itself in glory in the first 15 years, but its performance has been patchy since then, coinciding with Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
In a matter of days, one Kenyan’s intervention helped give South Africa a peaceful transition to its first post-apartheid government.
The first episode of What happened to Nelson Mandela’s South Africa?, a three-part podcast series on The Conversation Weekly. Featuring interviews with Steven Friedman and Sandy Africa.
A lot of good has happened since apartheid ended in 1994. Sadly, 30 years on, the country is in a political and economic crisis. Many are questioning the choices of the past three decades.
Top contributors
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Director Research, MISTRA and Research Associate, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria
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Senior lecturer in African Studies, Yale University
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Senior Lecturer in Anthropology and Development Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Senior Lecturer in Film and Television Studies, University of Cape Town
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Associate Professor of Astronomy, University of the Western Cape
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Professor of History, Brown University
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Lecturer, University of the Western Cape
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Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Development, Stellenbosch University
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Professor Emeritus of Public Law, University of Cape Town
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Senior Lecturer in Political Science, University of Pretoria
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Professor of Urban Governance, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication and Media, University of Johannesburg
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Lecturer Department of African Studies and Linguistics, University of Cape Town
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Adjunct Professor, University of the Witwatersrand