From the Alps to the Karoo
Lessons 30-Year-Old South Africa Can Learn from 734-Year-Old Switzerland
by Kirtan Bhana – TDS | 19 August 2025
Lindt, the Swiss Chocolatier had a variety of sweet treats for guests to enjoy (photo: TDS)
Switzerland turned 734 years old this month. South Africa, in comparison, has only just celebrated 30 years of democracy. Yet, standing side by side, these two diverse, multilingual societies share more in common than might first appear. Switzerland’s long journey of unity in diversity, stability, and innovation offers South Africa valuable lessons as it continues its own path of transformation.