Helen Suzman Foundation

{{Short description|Independent, non-partisan think-tank in South Africa}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Helen Suzman Foundation

| logo =

| type = Promotion of liberal democracy

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| founded = {{Start date and age|1993}} in Johannesburg, South Africa

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| num_employees = 13 staff
20 research fellows
11 trustees

| num_employees_year = 2019

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| website = {{URL|hsf.org.za}}

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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 and submissions 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”.{{Cite web |title=The South African Constitution |url=https://www.justice.gov.za/constitution/chp02.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=www.justice.gov.za}}

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

Academic R. W. Johnson was the foundation's first director until he resigned in 1995.John Fox, "Reflections On the Tragedy of SA", All Africa, 6 December 2004 Johnson's successor at the foundation, Lawrence Schlemmer, In 2006, Raenette Taljaard succeeded Schlemmer to become the foundation's director."Former MP to head Suzman Foundation", South African Press Association, 11 April 2006 She, in turn, was succeeded by Francis Antonie in 2010. Francis Antonie served as director from 2010 until he was replaced by Nicole Fritz, who took over the reins in 2022. Nicole Fritz resigned in December 2023. Naseema Fakir is currently the Executive Director.