Citizens of the world are in search of a new world order and every nation is looking inward. The British hope that their exit from the EU will be the answer to their fears and hopes. In many Western nations nationalist groupings that advocate exclusionary policies are emerging. The next six months are going to redefine our space as we grapple with changing governments here and abroad.If the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump wins the US elections later this year, the world, including ours, will enter a new space.If Britain is joined by other European nations in marching out of the EU, again we will face a complicated new order.Closer to home, if the crisis in Zimbabwe continues and the State House in Harare is overrun in a popular uprising, South Africa will have to change its foreign policy and respond accordingly.Here in South Africa we are faced with a new challenge. A challenge of how the governing ANC will respond if it loses more power after next month's local government elections.We have seen how contestation for posts in the party has led to killings and instability.This is happening as President Jacob Zuma becomes weaker every day as his time in office approaches its end.It is these events that should trouble us as we endure a weakening economy the survival of which is linked to what happens around us. The fear we see today across the world is forcing some nations to look inwards and close their borders.The rise of nationalist movements in Europe is as a result of fear of immigrants. In Africa, populism, clothed in nationalist attire, is driven by the failure of governments to change the status quo even after years of independence.As we head to the elections, it is important that we look beyond the slogans and promises.We need leaders capable of understanding world events and of advancing South Africa's interests. Let this not be our endgame...