Helen Suzman Foundation

Helen Suzman Foundation
Company typePromotion of liberal democracy
Founded1993; 31 years ago (1993) in Johannesburg, South Africa[1]
Number of employees
13 staff
20 research fellows
11 trustees (2019)
Websitehsf.org.za

The Helen Suzman Foundation is an independent, non-partisan think tank in South Africa dedicated to promoting liberal democratic values and human rights in post-apartheid South Africa through its research, publications, litigation[2] and submissions[3] to the South African Parliament.

The foundation was established in honour of Helen Suzman, a long-time liberal opposition MP who opposed apartheid in the South African parliament and the foundation's patron. Its liberalism is grounded in Helen’s legacy, and draws from the history of liberal thought in South Africa.

The foundation believes that the Constitution of South Africa is a liberal document. In its preamble the Constitution calls for “a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”, which aims to “free the potential of each person” and where “every citizen is equally protected by law”.[4]

The foundation publishes opinion pieces on its website,[1] in a quarterly electronic magazine, Focus,[5] and via email.

Academic R. W. Johnson was the foundation's first director until he resigned in 1995.[6] Johnson's successor at the foundation, Lawrence Schlemmer, In 2006, Raenette Taljaard succeeded Schlemmer to become the foundation's director.[7] She, in turn, was succeeded by Francis Antonie in 2010. Nicole Fritz is currently the Executive Director.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference HSF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference HSF Litigation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference HSF Submissions was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "The South African Constitution". www.justice.gov.za. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference HSF Focus was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ John Fox, "Reflections On the Tragedy of SA", All Africa, 6 December 2004
  7. ^ "Former MP to head Suzman Foundation", South African Press Association, 11 April 2006