Over the first few weeks of November 2024, two topics have dominated the local news. Both have quickly become lightning rods for a fresh outpouring of xenophobic activity. Firstly, the horrific spike in deaths and severe illness, especially amongst children, due to eating toxic foods sold mostly by spaza shops. BP 614 Scapegoating – The […]
In February 2023, the electricity crisis in South Africa was declared a national state of disaster so as to address the economic impact caused by the severe levels of loadshedding. Although this declaration has since been terminated, procuring reliable energy sources has remained crucial to achieve long-term energy security. BP 613 South Africa’s Nuclear Energy […]
South Africa leads the list of the top ten countries with the highest amount of time spent on social media.1 Children2 today are growing up immersed in a digital world that is taking a toll on their mental health. BP 612 Children and Mental Well-being in a Digital World by Lois Law
The major challenges which South Africa has experienced over the last decade or two include slow economic growth, rising inequality and a high unemployment rate. Contributing to the slow economic growth are structural constraints in many areas, among these electricity transmission, telecommunications, logistics, water, etc. BP 611 Structural Reforms & Economic Growth through Operation Vulindlela […]
Each year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the CPLO has published a briefing paper focusing on mental well-being. While it soon became clear that there was a shadow pandemic of gender-based violence (GBV), COVID also brought to the fore the level of debilitating mental health burdens experienced by so many people of […]
Climate change refers to the increasingly extreme variation of long-term average weather conditions worldwide. According to a 2021 report by the Centre for Environmental Rights there is no scientific doubt that the climate of southern Africa is becoming warmer.1 South Africa has been experiencing associated extreme climatic events such as droughts, floods, and heat waves, […]
Plato once said, “The beginning is the most important part of the work.”1 On his first day in office, the new Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, extended the temporary concession for foreign nationals awaiting the outcomes of their visa, waiver or appeal applications to remain in the country and to exit the country without being declared undesirable. BP 608 ‘The […]
The Roman Catholic Church traditionally observes the last Sunday in September each year as the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees. The United Nations, on the other hand, focuses on refugees on 20th June each year2 and on migrants on 18th December.3 In holding the two categories together in one focus, the Church underlines the vulnerability common to both groups, […]
According to the 2022 census, 24.35 per cent (approximately 11.6 million) of South Africa’s population lives in townships, yet those who live in the cities are often oblivious, and have misconceptions, about the economic activities in the more than 532 townships across our country. BP 606 The Township Economy – More than meets the eye by Kenny Pasensie
This is CPLO’s 600th Briefing Paper, the series having started in 1997. As we have done in previous years with these ‘century’ papers, we take the opportunity to reflect on where we are as a country, and where we may be headed. As it happens, this paper comes at a time when South Africa finds itself once again at an inflection point. […]
