One of the hallmarks of the state capture era was the politics of patronage – numerous senior politicians, President Jacob Zuma chief among them, built up loyalty networks through the distribution of jobs in government and positions in public office, and by offering access to tenders and other forms of state spending. Democracy Digest 16 […]
In recent weeks we have witnessed yet another spike in xenophobic activity, especially with regard to what is now called medical xenophobia. Simply put, certain groups organise around the prevention of access to health services by foreign nationals, irrespective of status. This is happening despite court orders, clarification of provisions in the Constitution, and political […]
The theme of the 2025 National Women’s Day is ‘Building Resilient Economies for All’. This involves creating economies that can withstand and recover from shocks, while also ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources for everyone. This requires a multifaceted approach that addresses economic, social, and environmental factors. Response – National Women’s Day 2025- Building […]
Plastic bottles, containers and packaging are an integral part of everyday life, but plastic and its associated chemicals can negatively impact human health through various pathways, including direct exposure to microplastics as well as indirect effects from plastic production, use and waste management. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles of less than 5mm, are found in the […]
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 […]
Even as this Digest was being compiled, in the streets of Los Angeles tensions around the arrests and heavy handed treatment of suspected undocumented migrants continued to make headlines. A close reading of the situation reveals the myriad of dynamics that have made the issue of immigration such a contentious one in our times. We […]
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 […]
In its statement of 28th May, the Cabinet welcomed the launch of ‘Operation New Broom’ by the Department of Home Affairs. At one level it is part of a five point promise made by the Minister at the end of 2024, which included an acceleration of digital processes to boost efficiency in the Department. This […]
The proverb, ‘beware of Greeks bearing gifts’, derived from the story of the Trojan horse in Virgil’s Aeneid, is probably a good way to describe the brouhaha surrounding Starlink’s possible entry into South Africa. Evidence suggests that the technology itself could be a means to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, where connectivity remains […]
