South Africa in the post-apartheid period has registered steady growth, but mounting problems over inequality threaten the continent's economic engine, explains this Backgrounder.

The recent announcement of a BRICS development bank raised many questions. Isobel Coleman writes about the potential structure and purpose of the BRICS development bank and its implications for international development and the global economy.

Between enthusiasm for President Obama's pro-democracy message and appreciation for the Democratic Party's support for the anti-apartheid movement, South Africans strongly favor Obama's reelection, says Moeletsi Mbeki.

The emerging BRICS economies agree that the West should hold less sway in the global economy. But their leaders, despite regular summits, have failed to articulate a coherent vision because of divergent interests, says journalist Martin Wolf.

Leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa) made this declaration at the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi on March 29, 2012.

CFR's James M. Lindsay discusses Nelson Mandela's release from prison in February 1990 and his subsequent rise to the presidency to show how individuals shape history.

Because of increasing American recalcitrance on multilateral issues, Jagdish Bhagwati holds little hope for the Durban climate change talks.

Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool discusses South Africa's role in the changing landscape of global health governance.

Yanzhong Huang discusses the impact of chronic, noncommunicable disease on development in the BRICS nations.

Jendayi Frazer and Valandra discuss Nelson Mandela on his ninety-third birthday.

John Campbell discusses Nelson Mandela's contributions to South Africa.

When apartheid ended, the new regime in South Africa promised to redistribute land that whites had stolen from blacks.

The upcoming soccer World Cup brings enormous prestige to South Africa's still-emerging democracy. But for all its post-apartheid progress, the country still must fix deep-rooted economic and political problems, writes CFR's Princeton Lyman.

Michael A. Levi and Katherine Michonski discuss the consequences of the World Bank's refusal to fund a controversial coal-fired power plant in South Africa.

Princeton Lyman addresses the complex issue of reparations for the millions of black South Africans who suffered under the apartheid regime.

CFR's Princeton Lyman says deep economic challenges confront South Africa's presumed next president, Jacob Zuma, but there are also opportunities for improved U.S. ties.

Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress and former deputy president of South Africa discusses South Africa's role in addressing regional challenges and his thoughts about the country's future. After the forced resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki in September, and the subsequent departure of several cabinet members, it is widely expected that Jacob Zuma will fill South Africa's presidential seat in upcoming elections.

Africa expert Princeton Lyman discusses current political upheaval in South Africa and the outlook for the country's economy.

The resignation of South African President Thabo Mbeki has exposed a rift in the ruling ANC party, raising questions about the future of one of the continent's champions and a regional powerbroker.

Late April saw a letter from President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa to President Bush, angrily condemning the U.S. for taking sides against Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Michael Gerson points out that this is just one of many examples of the South African president’s apparent endorsement of regimes that violate human rights.