Mitten in Zentralamerika liegt Costa Rica – eingerahmt von der Karibik im Osten, dem Pazifik im Westen, Nicaragua im Norden und Panama im Süden. Das Land ist international bekannt für seine beeindruckende Biodiversität, einen stark geförderten Ökotourismus sowie seinen hohen Anteil erneuerbarer Energien an der Energieversorgung. Darüber hinaus gilt Costa Rica oft als sicherer Hafen in einer von Krisen geprägten Region – unter anderem aufgrund einer langen demokratischen Tradition, der Abschaffung des Militärs im Jahr 1949 und des Beitritts zur OECD im Jahr 2021.

The Kruger National Park is one of Africa's largest and most renowned game reserves, spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometers in northeastern South Africa. Established in 1926, it is home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, including hundreas of bird species, as well as the Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. The park plays a critical role in protecting endangered species, while supporting vital ecosystems. At the same time, wildlife conservation in South Africa faces significant challenges, including habitat loss, poaching, and climate change.

In this episode, together with John Dyer we delve into his insights on wildlife conservation from a local, continental, and global perspective. Dyer is the founder and patron of the Ajubatus Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and the protection of endangered species. With a career spanning decades, he also spent 11 years as Chairman of Ulusaba Game Reserve, championing the preservation of Africa’s unique natural heritage.

Related sources and contacts (last accessed November 2024)

Ajubatus Foundation
https://www.ajubatus.co.za
Sean@ajubatus.com

Conservation in South Africa
https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa/Conservation

Kruger National Park
https://www.sahistory.org.za/place/kruger-national-park

With a youth unemployment rate reaching more than 45% in the first quarter of 2024, South Africa faces a significant challenge: young people are disproportionately affected compared to the national average of 30-35%. Despite the Department of Employment and Labour’s recent establishment of a National Minimum Wage of R27.58 per hour effective from March 2024, many workers remain in precarious jobs, often without social security or stable working conditions.

In this episode, we explore the complex landscape of workers' rights in South Africa with Dr. Mosa Phadi, an expert on state formation, Blackness, and class dynamics. Dr. Phadi, a researcher at the Public Affairs Research Institute and accomplished author of numerous articles and book chapters, shares her insights into the lived experiences of South African workers, unpacking the intersection of labor rights, socioeconomic instability, and the fight for fair treatment in the workplace.

Related statistics and sources (last accessed November 2024)

Unemployment rates
https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=17266

Minimum wage
https://www.ccma.org.za/labourlaws/new-minimum-wage-and-maximum-threshold/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Employment%20and,with%20effect%201%20March%202024.

History of migrant labor in South Africa
https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-migrant-labour-south-africa

Timeline of the Marikana Massacre
https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/timeline-marikana-massacre-2012-2013

Labor relations and trade unions in South Africa
https://www.gov.za/links/labour-relations-0

Precious working conditions in South Africa
https://marxistsociology.org/2022/09/reorganizing-the-core-precarity-organizing-and-the-labour-process-in-south-african-manufacturing/

With a Criminality Score of 7.18, South Africa ranks first out of 13 countries in Southern Africa, third in Africa and seventh worldwide in crime statistics. In this episode, we dive deeper into this topic and talk to Dr. Guy Lamb, a commissioner in South Africa's National Planning Commission and an expert on crime in South Africa. He has also worked with the UN on gun regulation and crime prevention projects.

In this episode, we discuss the topic of crime: what crime means, by whom and how it is committed and against whom it is directed. We also dive into the dimension of inequality, the role of the police and the government, and finally, why South Africa also has a comparatively high resilience score despite its high criminality score.

Related statistics and sources (last accessed November 2024)

Organized Crime Index
https://ocindex.net/country/south_africa

Global Militarization Index
https://gmi.bicc.de/#rank@2022

Global Firepower Index
https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php

UNGA Third Committee on hate speech and xenophobia rising
https://press.un.org/en/2023/gashc4393.doc.htm

ONCHR on xenophobic violence in south Africa
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/07/south-africa-un-experts-condemn-xenophobic-violence-and-racial

Report on gun use in South Africa
https://gfsa.org.za/news/#

With the phrase “From Pariah to Paragon,” South Africa’s foreign policy transformation is often described as a journey from isolation to active global engagement. Since the end of apartheid, the country has emphasized the promotion of human rights, multilateralism, pan-Africanism, and fostering good relations with both the global North and South. However, as the international order continues to evolve, so has South Africa’s approach to foreign policy.

In this episode, we unpack the dynamic interplay between South Africa’s foreign policy priorities and the challenges of a shifting global landscape with Prof. Dr. Scarlett Cornelissen, a leading expert in South African foreign policy. Prof. Cornelissen’s is a highly accomplished scholar with a PhD from the University of Glasgow and degrees from several universities in South Africa. She has held prestigious fellowships, including the aFellowship at Harvard's Radcliffe Institute. Her research has also been supported by institutions in Japan, such as Kyoto University, and the Institute of Developing Economies. As a co-editor of the Review of International Studies and Geopolitics, Dr. Scarlett also contributes to the editorial boards of leading journals.

Related sources (last accessed November 2024)

South African Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO)
https://dirco.gov.za/strategic-overview/

South Africa´s International Relations
https://www.gov.za/about-sa/international-relations

Current Presidency asserts responsibility and stance on South Africa’s foreign policy
https://dirco.gov.za/presidency-asserts-responsibility-and-stance-on-south-africas-foreign-policy/

Media Statement of Memorial to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
https://dirco.gov.za/south-africa-delivers-evidence-of-israel-genocide-to-icj/

South Africa's history is characterized by eras of oppression; colonialism and apartheid. At the same time, the country stands for resistance and hope, with icons such as Mandela and Biko. Today it reflects the challenges and achievements of the transition from injustice to democracy.today we dare to try to bring this whole story into one hour; with Dr. Schalk van der Merwe.

He is an accomplished historian, author, and professional musician. His PhD for example focused on popular Afrikaans music, exploring themes from Afrikaner nationalism to post-apartheid racial politics in music. Since he is an expert of South African history, I am happy to be able to interview him today about South Africa´s history– precolonial, colonial and in view of apartheid and how the history has shaped the culture and identity.”

Related sources (last accessed November 2024)

History of South Africa
https://www.gov.za/about-sa/history

The Colonisation of South Africa: A unique case
https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0259-9 4222017000300062#:~:text=The%20two%20European%20countries%20who,colony%20of%20Britain%20till%201961.

British occupation of the cape
https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Africa/British-occupation-of-the-Cape

A history of Apartheid in South Africa
https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-apartheid-south-africa

Apartheid Museum
https://www.apartheidmuseum.org

District 6 Museum
https://www.districtsix.co.za

Africa and China share a dynamic relationship based on economic cooperation, strategic partnership and common global interests. Over the past two decades, cooperation has intensified through investment, trade and development projects, focusing on key areas such as infrastructure, renewable energy and the digital economy. At the same time, China's loans and investments in Africa bring both opportunities and challenges. South Africa and China in particular are dependent on the BRICS alliance, which offers both players a platform for strengthening the interests of the global South.

In this episode, we delve into Africa-China relations, highlighting among others their economic ties and geopolitical strategies – together with Africa-China relations expert and PhD candidate Christopher Edyegu. He has extensive experience, as he was- among others, the Africa editor at the China Global South Project and is currently also an analyst for Africa Risk Consulting.

Related sources (last accessed November 2024)

FOCAC: Forum on China-Africa cooperation
http://www.focac.org/eng/

Statement by Cyril Ramaphose on relations between China and South Africa
https://www.gov.za/blog/relations-between-china-and-south-africa-enter-new-era-opportunity

UNDP: FOCAC in Perspective
https://www.undp.org/china/publications/focac-perspective

Chinese Loans to Africa
https://www.bu.edu/gdp/2023/09/18/a-new-state-of-lending-chinese-loans-to-africa/

South Africa’s history is marked by deep-rooted inequalities shaped by colonial policies and apartheid. The Native Land Act of 1913 dispossessed black South Africans, forcing them into overcrowded reserves, while the mining industry exploited migrant laborers, intertwining racial and class-based oppression. Although apartheid officially ended in 1994, many structural inequalities persist. Social tensions, such as those seen during the Phoenix riots of 2012, underscore the enduring challenges of poverty, unemployment, and racial disparity.

In this episode, we will talk about these historical and contemporary issues – together with Dr. Xaba, a scholar with ongoing research interests in industrial sociology. He particularly focuses on work organization, restructuring, globalization, empowerment legislation, the informal economy, and crime.

Related sources (last accessed November 2024):

The natives land act of 2013

https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/natives-land-act-1913

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1057/fr.2011.63?casa_token=04Ga6tQGk_kAAAAA%3AJpLedzaIe2DAxPsAoc8OaaXumRDfsxKGpoyDM0jzAveT39atu28iNLVHlC8J6PICgutLRNuWVKHJ19k

Further relevant literature:

Plaatje (1916): Native Life in South Africa

Tabata (1950): Awakening of a People

Magubane (1979): The Political Economy of Race and Class in South Africa

Alexander (1986): Against Racial Capitalism

Ngwane (2021): Amakomiti; People cannot live in the Air

uMbuso (2023): WeKnosi; Whose eyes are looking at history?

Desai (2023): Geographies of Racial Capitalism