Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung

About Us

The Heinrich Böll Foundation has been active in Southern Africa since 1989. For many organisations and individuals, we have become a partner for civic education and formation of networks, provider of international contacts, observer and analyst in the region.

Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. We are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities and to the societal and political participation of immigrants.

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Latest Publications

Policy Development and Financing of the Operations of Shelters for Abused Women

pdf

In S v Baloyi the Constitutional Court placed a clear duty on the state to address domestic violence. Shelters disrupt this violence in significant ways but are significantly under-funded. This brief examines existing policy around shelters for abused women and recommends how this can be expanded and costed to more effectively uphold women’s rights and needs.

Perspectives Publication Series

Democracy & Social Justice

The City as a Democratic Common

Event

Albie Sachs is the keynote speaker at the upcoming seminar “The City as a Democratic Common”. He will share is thoughts about ”Representative Democracy and Participatory Democracy”.

Sustainable Development

Growing Urban Network

Article

High poverty, unemployment, inequality could be addressed by small-scale farming – campaign.

By Nazeer A Sonday

State of Play? Geoengineering in South Africa

Analysis

In the wake of the 2015 Paris Agreement adopting “well below 2°C” as the international goal to limit global warming, geoengineering is increasingly being promoted as a technological means to counteract climate change or its effects. This article unpacks the state of play of these technologies in South Africa.

By Neil Overy

Victory for Campaign Against Uranium Mining Project in South Africa's Karoo Region

An Australian firm which planned to mine in the iconic Karoo region of South Africa has been forced to leave after costly delays in the licensing process. Dr Stefan Cramer hopes its exit - combined with the environmental efforts of the new South African government - may enable the Karoo to finally realise its full potential in sustainable agriculture and renewable energies

By Dr Stefan Cramer

Radical Realism for Climate Justice

Limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial is feasible. And it is our best hope of achieving environmental and social justice, of containing the impacts of a global crisis that was born out of historical injustice and highly unequal responsibility.

Our Dossier is a civil society response to the challenge of limiting global warming to 1.5°C while also paving the way for climate justice. Because it’s is neither ‘naïve’ nor ‘politically unfeasible’, it is radically realistic.

Here you find an introductory overview of the disucssion on 1.5°C.

Radical Realism

Gender & Sexual Diversity

New Report Proposes More Equitable Costing for Operations of Women’s Shelters

News

A recently launched research report by the Hlanganisa Institute for Development in South Africa, the National Shelter Movement of South Africa and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, calls on government to strengthen current policy and funding to shelters for abused women. Greater investment in critical support services - such as those offered by shelters - is vital in a country with high rates of violence and abuse committed against women and children. 

By Claudia Lopes

Shelters — a Last Resort for Abused Women Who Have Nowhere Else to Turn

In the news

As Women’s Month draws to a close, about 130 vulnerable women living in shelters gathered on Thursday for a luncheon hosted by the Western Cape Women’s Shelter Network. Joy Lange, executive member of HBF's project partner, National Shelter Movement of SA, spoke to the Daily Maverick about the purpose of the event and some of the challenges facing shelters. 

By Suné Payne

Shelters for Abused Women Battle to Find Funds

In the news

Abused mentally, physically and emotionally by her husband for 15 years, Nadia Louw says at first she did not believe she could be helped at St Anne’s Home. But after living there for three months she finally feels she is at home. Louw is one of thousands of women victims of abuse and domestic violence who seek help in shelters. But shelter managers say funding is a major problem, writes GroundUp.

By Mary-Anne Gontsana

Resource Politics

Historic Silicosis/ Tuberculosis Class Action Settlement

Partner News

Yesterday, May 3rd 2018, a historic settlement was reached between South African mineworkers who contracted silicosis or tuberculosis while working underground and seven gold mining companies, the first class action settlement of its kind in the country.

Watch: Civil Society Wins Nuclear Court Case

Led by HBS partners Earthlife Africa (ELA) and the South African Faith Communities Environmental Institute (SAFCEI), the anti-nuke campaign has managed to challenge the South African government on its decision to pursue a 9.6GW nuclear procurement programme.

 
By Amanda Luxande

International Politics

Atlases