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September

Reclaiming Tech: Countering Digital Violence Against Women Environmental Defenders in the Global South

Online event Wednesday, 10. September 2025

Articles & Publications

As Gaza is Devastated, So is International Law

The destruction of Gaza is not only a humanitarian catastrophe, but also a violation of international law. With the looming expulsion of Palestinians, the violence will only escalate further. Germany and the EU must finally leverage all the means at their disposal to stand up for human rights, writes HBF Co-President, Imme Schultz.

By Imme Schultz

“We’ll smoke them out”: The Criminalisation of Artisanal Mining in South Africa and the Tragedy of Stilfontein

Publication

In early 2025, police announced that operation ‘Vala Mgodi’ (Close the Holes) had been completed at the Buffelsfontein gold mine near Stilfontein. It is estimated that approximately 100 ‘illegal’ miners died as a result of the operation. This paper explores the background conditions and policy context which led to this avoidable tragedy, and makes recommendations as to how artisanal and small scale mining should be addressed in future.

By Dr. Neil Overy

Nuclear power in Africa: State of Play

Publication

Despite Africa’s exceptional solar and wind resources, and the exhibiting costs, lead time and risks of nuclear power, announcements of nuclear power plant projects and cooperation agreements proliferate across the continent. This report was commissioned to try to distinguish hype from reality and provide a realistic assessment of which African countries’ nuclear plans are likely to materialise in the coming two decades.

By Dr Tristen Taylor

Critical minerals framework is a test for commitment to climate justice

Opinion

This article examines how the G20’s forthcoming critical minerals framework could transform — or entrench — Africa’s role in the global green transition. Drawing on the African Green Minerals Strategy, it argues for a new paradigm of responsible mining, equitable value chains, and climate justice to ensure the continent’s vast mineral wealth drives sustainable, inclusive development

By Dr. Neil Overy

With Pots & Pens to Parliament

Community kitchens in Cape Town are feeding thousands amid rising food insecurity, yet their work extends far beyond food—each meal represents invisible care work, a daily act of resistance and solidarity that fills the gaps left by failing systems. This report shares findings from a four-year research project which explored how a strengthened informal sector can contribute to the progressive realisation of the right to food.

By Nicole Paganini

gun-related-femicide-in-sa-over-25-years-a-call-to-action

Gun-related femicide in SA: A call to action

South Africa is in the grip of a femicide crisis, with firearms playing a leading role in the murder of women. This brief, developed by our partner, Gun Free South Africa, outlines six key recommendations to strengthen gun control, close legal loopholes, and prevent firearms from falling into the hands of those who pose a threat to women’s safety.

Special Features

South Africa's G20: A Platform for Civil Society Voices

South Africa’s G20 Presidency marks a historic first for Africa — a chance to shape global economic, climate, and social agendas from an African perspective. HBF Cape Town is working with partners to connect global priorities with grassroots realities, creating space for dialogue and action that places civil society and community voices at the heart of decision-making.

Explore this project

30 Years of Democracy

Civil Society and Social Movements Organising for Change

30 Years of Democracy: Civil Society and Social Movements Organising for Change aims to reflect on the journey of CSOs and Social Movements in South Africa and their role in deepening South Africa's democracy alongside communities and citizens.

Explore the dossier

Perspectives Africa

Perspectives is a publication series of the Africa offices of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung. The series provides a platform for experts from Africa to express their views about issues pertinent to the democratic and sustainable development agenda in the region.

The latest edition of Perspectives "African Feminisms across Generations" is a collaboration between the Gender Focal Persons (HBF staff members who serve as resource persons on gender issues) from our four offices in Africa and the Africa Division at our head office in Berlin. The idea for the edition was born out of a strategy to collectively develop an approach to gender-related political goals that is rooted in feminist realities, thinking and narratives specific to the African continent.

Explore the Series

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

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Reclaiming Tech: Countering Digital Violence Against Women Environmental Defenders in the Global South