The FW de Klerk Foundation notes with deep sadness the passing of Steven Gruzd and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues at the South African Institute of International Affairs (“SAIIA”) and the broader South African and African policy community.

Steven Gruzd was widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading international relations thinkers and a principled advocate for good governance, accountability and democracy across Africa. As Head of SAIIA’s African Governance and Diplomacy Programme, he made a substantial contribution to public life through rigorous research, thoughtful analysis and a sustained commitment to strengthening democratic institutions on the continent.

His work on the African Peer Review Mechanism, African governance and South African foreign policy earned him wide respect in academic, diplomatic and policy circles. He had a rare ability to bring clarity to complex international developments and to elevate public debate through insight, balance and integrity.

The Foundation was privileged to engage Steven on its Constitution@Work platform in 2023, where he contributed to an important discussion on South Africa’s foreign policy and its implications for international relations. He brought to that conversation the qualities that defined his public engagement more broadly: intellectual seriousness, generosity of spirit and a deep respect for principled dialogue.

Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, said: “Steven Gruzd was a scholar of distinction and a man of quiet principle. He enriched South Africa’s public discourse through his intellect, his integrity and his unwavering belief in the value of democratic governance. His passing is a great loss to the country and to the continent.”

Ismail Joosub, Manager of Constitutional Advancement at the Foundation, said: “Steven’s voice carried both insight and decency. He showed that serious ideas can be advanced with humility and that conviction need not come at the expense of civility. His contribution to democratic thought and public understanding will long be remembered.”

The circumstances of Steven’s death are deeply distressing. We trust that the law will take its full course and that those responsible will be brought to justice.

Steven Gruzd will be remembered as a scholar, analyst and public intellectual whose work strengthened the cause of democratic governance in Africa.

May his memory be a blessing.