Gerbrandt van Heerden
Gerbrandt van Heerden is the Deputy Head of Research at the Centre For Risk Analysis (CRA).
One of his key tasks is to oversee the production process of the CRA’s Macro Review – a monthly report which provides a deep-dive analysis of the major trends shaping South Africa. These reports have allowed him to build extensive knowledge of the socio-economic situation in the country. He temporarily served as a lecturer for the North-West University (NWU) and volunteered for six months as a radio presenter at GaySA Radio – Africa’s first LGBT+ radio station.
Gerbrandt holds a BA Degree in Communication studies and a Master’s Degree in Political Sciences from NWU.
[Opinion] SA’s emerging demographic crisis: dependency on the rise
17 August, 2025
The pressure on those who work to support the jobless keeps rising in South Africa.
[Opinion] SA policy status quo harming black people the most
08 March, 2025
After 30 years of democracy, the vast majority of black South Africans continue to languish in poverty at much higher rates than other racial groups.
[Opinion] Quality over quantity
18 March, 2024
Will the declining average levels of basic service delivery influence voter behaviour in the 2024 National and Provincial elections?
[Opinion] Affirmative action failures: Malaysia’s warning for South Africa
18 April, 2023
Centre For Risk Analysis analyst, Gerbrandt van Heerden expands on the failures of affirmative action policies in Malaysia, and warns of the possibility of similar consequences in South Africa.
[Audio] Uganda se streng teen-gay-wetgewing veroordeel
24 March, 2023
Uganda’s anti-LGBTQ Bill condemned.
Discussion: Increase of pupils at independent schools
03 February, 2023
CRA’s Gerbrandt Van Heerden speaks on ENCA about school vouchers.
No plan to fix education
27 January, 2023
27 January 2023 - Deputy Head of Reseach, Gerbrandt van Heerden, unpacks South Africa's real matric pass rate, and the underlying issues facing public schools.
[Opinion] South Africa's welfare dilemma
06 October, 2022
Despite South Africans’ high dependency on the welfare system, the government seems unable or unwilling to turn the situation around. It now is considering making the temporary, special Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant more permanent.
