Details
The Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre (JHGC) hosted a workshop titled “The Fragility of Democracy” in September 2026, with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). Participants were youths from different political parties, non-affiliated youths and students from WITS, UP and UJ.
The workshop took place in the lead-up to South Africa’s 2026 local government elections, and at a moment when democratic institutions around the world and in South Africa are facing growing threats from populism, nationalism, apathy, and disinformation. The objective was to deepen understanding of democratic principles and the shared responsibility of citizens in protecting them. Drawing on the historical case studies of apartheid in South Africa, the Holocaust and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, participants examined how democratic systems can erode and collapse under the weight of hatred, division, and political manipulation and how the law can be used as a tool of oppression and liberation
The aim of the workshop was to deepen participants’ understanding of South Africa’s current democratic challenges considering lessons from the past and amid political polarization and the upcoming local government elections. It sought to foster constructive dialogue among participants from diverse backgrounds, identify practical ways to engage as active citizens and strengthen democratic resilience, and build networks for future collaboration on democracy-related initiatives.
The presenters were Dr Mispa Roux, University of Pretoria, Mr Mbekezeli Benjamin Judges Matter, and the staff of the JHGC.
