Leaders abuse governance to control citizens
Many African countries since independence from colonialism have operated under multiple systems of governance: the country’s formal institutions, laws and values, and, in parallel,…
Citizens & Leaders
Democracies cannot be healthy and flourish without active citizens who participate in society, who solve problems their communities face, who are informed and skilled in participation.
This applies to both citizens and citizen representatives or politicians. If political leaders do not espouse democratic principals and ethics and don’t have the required skills-set or theoretical framework democracy cannot grow.
Democracy Works Foundation, therefore, offers several innovative trainings that are targeted at the following beneficiaries:
- political leaders, whether established or youthful;
- citizen and community leaders;
- civil society activists and change-makers.
This is a country that can break one’s heart
This past week we again heard the name of Michael Komape. Michael was five years old when he fell into a pit latrine at…
Mugabe crumbles – but it’s too soon to celebrate in Zimbabwe
It seemed that Robert Mugabe, the 93-year-old Zimbabwean president, would rule his country until he died – but in the end, his fall was…
Are South Africa’s anti-corruption crusaders racist?
In the last few weeks, more attention has been focused on South African President Jacob Zuma than usual because of the release of an explosive new…
Instead of condemning Kenya’s violent elections, Britain pleads to be remembered
Democracy and the rule of law are bedfellows who take stuttering steps forward in Africa, and the now-concluded Kenyan elections are a case in…
Zuma acts without fear of consequence
In the past two weeks, we have heard Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba explain that we are choking in debt but that somehow social programmes…
Is Zuma’s nuclear gamble still in play?
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement last week had one simple message: we are drowning in debt. So it wasn’t surprising…
Coalitions a platform for parties to put interest of SA citizens first
It was not the first time local government elections produced coalitions. But what is of interest is that three big metros in Gauteng and…
Disintegrating state capacity is a betrayal of democracy
State capacity — the ability of the South African state to implement its declared policies, public services and programmes — has been undermined by…
How does Gigaba stop this endless cycle of expenditure, waste and corruption?
A lot can happen in a year. Ask Pravin Gordhan. In 2016, Pravin Gordhan was Minister of Finance, attempting a delicate and complex economic…