The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) was given a new Minister in the Government of National Unity, Dr Leon Schreiber, a member of the Democratic Alliance.1 It is of course not the first time that this portfolio has been held by a Minister outside of the ANC. For ten years Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi of the IFP was Minister of the same department.2 […]
Fathers play a critical role in the development and well-being of their children and have a lasting impact on their lives. However, there is no typical father in South Africa and the term father does not solely apply to biological relationships. There are social fathers, who in providing care and emotional support as well as teaching important life skills, are the father-figure […]
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world that explicitly recognises the right to sufficient water in its Constitution.1 Access to sufficient water is a gateway to the progressive realisation of other fundamental human rights such as the right to a clean environment, and ultimately, the right to living a dignified life. BP 603 Water Scarcity, Sanitation & […]
Earlier this year, on 26th March, Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) released its first Migration Report. It needs to be acknowledged that this report is published in an environment where many myths about migration have gained the unjustified status of fact, where prejudice often trumps reliable data and research, and where, for political expediency, entire narratives about migration are twisted to provide a background supportive […]
Every year the member states and institutions of the United Nations observe 20th June as World Refugee Day.1 This day has been officially observed since 20th June 2001, which date marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.2 BP 601 World Refugee Day 2024- ‘Solidarity with Refugees’ by Peter-John Pearson
Whether one calls it a government of national unity (which it isn’t really, since the third and fourth largest parties, accounting for nearly a quarter of the vote, are not in it) or a grand coalition (which it is, given that no less than eleven parties are participating), the administration announced by Cyril Ramaphosa on 30th June constitutes the most significant development […]
Although somewhat less publicised than so-called conventional forms of child abuse and neglect, internationally, historically and currently, the most prevalent form of child abuse is child labour.3 Observed on 12th June each year, World Day Against Child Labour is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour. The day emphasizes the link between social justice and child […]
2024 marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family (IYF). In its resolution of 9th December 1989, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) proclaimed the International Year of the Family, in recognition of the fundamental role that families play in society. BP 597 Thirtieth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family by Lois Law
Coalition discussions have understandably taken centre stage in the days following the election results, and these will probably continue up to, and possibly beyond, the first session of the seventh Parliament, which is due to convene on 17th June. BP 596 Assessing the 2024 Elections by Mike Pothier
Our recent Briefing Paper, New Candidates; Three Ballots; Old Worries,1 dealt with the novelty of independent candidates and the move to a three ballot system necessitated by their inclusion, and looked at some perennial concerns – attacks on the IEC by disgruntled parties, overly aggressive rhetoric, and the thankfully unlikely prospect of election-linked violence. With only a week to go before the elections, we […]
