Ofentse Donald Davhie
Ofentse Donald Davhie is a Research Associate for the Centre for Risk Analysis (CRA), with a focus on political risk and foreign policy. He contributes to the analysis of global developments, supporting the CRA’s mission to provide strategic insights to clients. With a keen interest in geopolitics, Ofentse applies his expertise in foreign policy analysis to assess global trends and their implications for South Africa.
Utilising his skills in qualitative and quantitative research, he assists in developing research projects to inform the CRA’s publications and client reports. Ofentse enhances the CRA’s data-driven approach to risk analysis through his expertise in data analysis and research methodologies. He holds an Honours in International Studies and a BA in Humanities with majors in Political Science and Sociology, both from Stellenbosch University.
Political risk is a business problem, not just a headline
23 July, 2026
Operation Dudula and March and March are not political parties but they closed shops, disrupted supply chains and triggered a migrant exodus.
South Africa’s Missing Immigration Policy Tool is Foreign Policy
11 July, 2026
Ofentse Davhie writes on how South Africa should consider making its foreign policy a bit more Trumpian.
The manual nobody handed Pretoria’s diplomats
11 July, 2026
There is a ritual that plays out every few months in Pretoria. A newly arrived political counsellor, three weeks into a posting, sits down for an introductory coffee and asks a version of the same question: who actually decides things here now?
Coalition partners should review their own ministers
10 July, 2026
Political analyst Dirk Kotzé observes that “the driving force of this was very definitely the DA’s internal evaluation process” (Ramaphosa reshuffle driven by DA review, not ANC overhaul, July 5). He is right, but where the surrounding commentary errs is in treating this as a curiosity, something faintly irregular that requires explanation.
Germany funded its defence turnaround, South Africa isn’t
08 July, 2026
The Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, recently announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet has formally endorsed the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) “Journey to Greatness” 30-year plan to rebuild South Africa’s armed forces and eventually reach a defence budget of 1.5% of GDP. Although this may seem like a step in the right direction, recent government spending behaviour has not encouraged enthusiasm for this bold ambition.
The political science that explains xenophobic violence
10 June, 2026
Distrust of authorities and belief in mob action fuel unrest
The curious case of South Africa’s African Renaissance Fund
08 June, 2026
R100m was approved for earthquake victims in Türkiye and Syria.
SA’s foreign policy doctrine lacks the necessary budget
05 June, 2026
Mandela’s vision is being tested as economic limitations undermine global ambitions
