Overcoming the apartheid system in South Africa, independence in Namibia, and democratic elections in most states of the region have resulted in a political renewal that has brought freedom to many people who have struggled for decades: whether in armed liberation movements or as members of civil-society organisations active in various ways to promote democracy and human rights. However, despite this progress, the region faces enormous and challenging problems which might endanger consolidation of the still unstable democracies.
The Heinrich Boell Foundation has been actively promoting the consolidation of democracy in Southern Africa since 1989. For many organisations and individuals the Foundation has become a partner for civic education and formation of networks, provider of international contacts, observer and analyst in the region.
In 2007 the Foundation moved its regional office for Southern Africa from Johannesburg to Cape Town to be able to focus the Foundation’s work more on the interface between civil society and parliament. The Foundation aims to provide spaces for constructive dialogue and exchange between non-governmental organizations and democratic institutions. In doing so the Foundation seeks to improve civil society participation in decision making processes and make a valuable contribution to the acceptance of democracy.
In South Africa, safeguarding and adding to the young democracy’s achievements are the Foundation’s key issues. In light of the dominance of the ANC and the executive authorities, the Foundation aims to contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and to improving co-operation between civil society and political decision-makers. In order to overcome the inherited mass poverty and income inequalities the South African government has been banking on fast economic growth as a proven solution to these difficulties. However, this strategy has not led to the desired outcomes. Over a decade after the end of apartheid, South Africa is still confronted with these acute problems.
The foundation focuses on socially explosive issues (e.g. increasing xenophobia) and the environmental damage caused by the policies geared towards growth.
In Zimbabwe, a state on the brink of collapse due to the tense political situation and economic meltdown, civil society plays a decisive role. Non-profit organisations document the Mugabe regime’s human rights violations and act as a catalyst for the country’s democratic renaissance. The Foundation’s long-standing media partners, the radio station Voice of the People (VOP) and the online newspaper ZimOnline, both play an important role by providing Zimbabweans in and outside the country with trustworthy and impartial reports.
The political culture in Namibia has changed dramatically since the formation of the new opposition party ‘Rally for Democracy and Progress’ (RDP) in late 2007. The political climate has become more hostile and democratic practices and virtues seem to be under threat. Together with its long-term project partner ‘Forum for the Future’ (FFF) the Foundation aims to create platforms of discussion and dialogue that instil critical but inclusive debate, that uphold political freedoms and that foster solidarity across partisan, ethnic, racial and sectoral cleavages.
