Wednesday 7 October, 2009 - 11:21
African National Congress Member of Parliament (MP), Sisa Njikelana, has urged civil society to call on African parliaments to account on international trade negotiations as MPs have in the past not been "robust" enough in ensuring that such talks deliver on developmental priorities.
Wednesday 23 September, 2009 - 9:38
With democracy being relatively new in South Africa, local government has had to undergo much institutional reform between 1994 and 2000. A key part of this overhaul has been the requirement for democratic processes in municipal decision-making methods between elections.
Recently, government has been encouraging municipalities to have public participation units. Local government in South Africa is now required to implement forms of public participation, particularly around development planning and budgeting.
The United Nations (UN) is able to recognise key global challenges, but beset by difficulties in trying to resolve them. In this, it represents the current global political balance, but is also the only international institution that could move it forward.
Tuesday 8 September, 2009 - 10:10
In March 2009, Sonke Gender Justice Network filed a complaint at the Equality court in Johannesburg against the ANC Youth League Leader, Julius Malema. The complaint was lodged in response to remarks he made to university students concerning Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser claiming that she likely enjoyed herself during the incident. Sonke’s Equality Court case alleges hate speech, unfair discrimination and harassment of women, and is only the second high profile gender equality case to be taken to the Equality Courts since their inception in 2003 (1).
Wednesday 12 August, 2009 - 13:46
A troubling question is increasingly asked about South Africa: At what point does corruption become endemic? When does corruption become so systematised that it becomes almost irreversibly ‘the way business is done’ – the expected norm?
Friday 7 August, 2009 - 15:46
Popular Isidingo actress, Hlubi Mboya, has been appointed ambassador of 46664’s Schools Bangle programme of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF).
Mboya, who received her new role with the school-girl enthusiasm, pointed out that, “I accepted the offer to be an ambassador for the 46664 project because I am passionate about the youth and education, my father being an academic of note. I am a lover of life. I am a lover of people.”
Wednesday 22 July, 2009 - 15:23
It is that time of the year again when reports about how well donors have performed in meeting their aid commitments are released. This year is unique because of the devastating effects of the global financial crisis. What is on everyone’s mind is: will donors sustain their commitments or will they buckle under the heavy weight of the global financial crisis?
Wednesday 22 July, 2009 - 12:54
Gender activist Mbuyiselo Botha - whom Julius Malema branded as a puppet of white racists - has slammed the ANC Youth League president's accusations as "pathetic".
Botha, Sonke's advocacy head, was responding to Malema's claims that the hate speech complaint against him - which centres on his comments that President Jacob Zuma's rape accuser enjoyed herself with him - was driven by "whites opposed to black rule".
Tuesday 21 July, 2009 - 16:19
The newly appointed South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) interim board is examining the costs of each of the beleaguered broadcaster's departments "line by line", chairperson Irene Charnley said on Tuesday.
"We need to stabilise the SABC at all levels. The situation is not normal. Financially the organisation is in dire straits."
The SABC reported a financial loss of R839-million for the 2008/09 financial year. The broadcaster had asked the government for a R2-billion bailout.
Friday 17 July, 2009 - 13:51
The National Executive Committee of the ANC will start a three-day meeting on Friday to discuss, among other things, recent service delivery protests, a spokesperson said.
"This meeting takes place in the background of some sporadic service delivery protests that have taken place in some parts of the country," said ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu.
