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After introductory words of welcome from Tilmann Feltes, KAS, Dr Theuns Eloff presented his book Wat nou, Suid-Afrika? ("What now, South Africa?"), published in Afrikaans in February. The English translation will appear in March 2017 under the title "Turning Point".

Dr Eloff began his presentation by praising Dr. Holger Dix, Country Office Manager of KAS South Africa, who left South Africa the following day after four and a half years. After that, Dr Eloff devoted himself to his book. The idea behind "Wat nou, Suid-Afrika?" is to take stock of South Africa with a view to the future. Three questions were in the foreground: Where does the country stand? What went wrong? And what are the turning points that South Africa is about to face?

On the positive side of the balance sheet are the constitution, the national development plan, the successful transition from apartheid to democracy, tax policy, the "resilient" economy, the informal sector, the multi-party system, civil society, as well as economic successes and poverty reduction. On the negative side, one would find political instability, the rivalries within the ANC, corruption, slow growth, the increasing troubling criticism of transition and the constitution, the lack of maintenance of infrastructure, high crime rates, failing education and health systems, deficiencies in electricity and water supply and public transport, the "culture of dependency" and the tensions between parts of the black and white population.

What has gone wrong since the end of apartheid? According to Dr Eloff, the challenges in 1994 had been underestimated, the ANC had failed to transform itself from a liberation movement into a political party, the influence of communist ideology was too strong in the government, good plans were not being implemented, ex-president Mbeki had alienated minorities, too many able civil servants had left the civil service as a result, black economic empowerment had gone wrong, and a culture of corruption and nepotism had entered government under Jacob Zuma.

Dr Eloff proposes ten solutions to steer South Africa in the right direction at this turning point. The country should rediscover its roots and values; a new political leadership is needed; the power of the President should be reduced; civil society must hold government accountable; Businesses would have to be involved in the development of the country; poverty is to be combated; find a way to deal with the new radical youth movement; Relationships between black and white parts of the population should be improved in everyday life; Corruption must be fought; and the best idea for the next President is a government of national unity. Finally, the optimistic Professor Eloff said South Africa was nearing its bottom from which it would start to pick up again.

Afterwards, Dr. Dix farewell. After his own farewell speech, in which he thanked numerous companions, the managing director of the South African Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA), Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, underlined the long-standing, successful and trusting partnership with KAS and Dr. Dix, whom she wished all the best for the future.