Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every day during 2023 over 700 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.1 While South Africa has made efforts to improve maternal health services, including free antenatal care and antiretroviral […]

For low-income families, the dearth of affordable housing in South Africa is more than a headline; it is their lived reality. Despite the notable strides made in delivering housing since 1994, the country remains plagued by deep-seated spatial inequality and urban informality. The housing backlog remains over 2.3 million units, and more than 2.5 million […]

In the sermon at Pope Francis’ funeral, Cardinal BP 628 – In Memoriam – Jorge Mario Bergoglio, ‘a Voice Calling Out…’Re made mention of the Mass which Pope Francis celebrated on the USA/Mexico border in 2016, during his pastoral visit to Mexico. On the flight back to Rome he was asked about the border wall […]

South Africa’s post-apartheid transition envisaged a decentralised, developmental state with local municipalities at the coalface of addressing socio-economic inequalities and delivering essential services to their communities. However, the realities and the magnitude of South Africa’s challenges have hampered the realisation of this ideal. BP 627 A Turnaround Strategy for Local Government by Kenny Pasensie 2

Daily life in South Africa and indeed across the world shows an ever increasing tendency towards demonising foreigners and strengthening policies of exclusion. One increasingly popular method of criminalising and controlling migrants is through the use of the process of deportation. BP 626 Deportation – The Daily Despair of the Displaced by Peter-John Pearson

For well over a century 1st May has been observed around the world as May Day, Workers’ Day or Labour Day. It commemorates the historic struggles and gains made against often overwhelming odds and against a culture of exploitation. BP 625 Worth, Wellbeing and Welcome- the Missing Parts of Workers’ Day by Peter-John Pearson

Early Childhood Development (ECD)1 has been much in the news of late, with President Ramaphosa both acknowledging and regretting that ECD has hitherto been a neglected issue, to the detriment of children and compromising the development of future human capital that drives further economic growth, employment and development. BP 624 The Importance of Early Childhood […]

The public service sector plays a vital role in the development and progress of any nation. However, South Africa’s public service sector, responsible for delivering basic services to citizens, has been plagued with corruption, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. BP 623 On the Road to a Professional Public Service Sector by Kenny Pasensie