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
It will be some time before it becomes clear whether last week’s meeting in Washington between Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump, and their respective teams, was successful in trade terms. Getting the threatened 31 per cent tariffs on our exports reduced, and keeping the US open for our minerals and agricultural produce was a big part […]
A close look at the various links in this Digest makes an obvious point. The very diversity of situations and spheres of life which they deal with is a sign of the far reach of migrant and refugee experiences, and of how narratives, particularly negative narratives, spread into all areas of life. Thus for mobile […]
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
Since 1993 the United Nations has observed 22nd March as World Water Day. This should not be confused with World Water Monitoring Day, established in the USA and observed on 18th September, which is more explicitly aimed at education around water issues.1 BP 622 World Water Day 2025 by Peter-John Pearson
Each year World TB Day is commemorated on 24th March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic impacts of tuberculosis, and to urge acceleration of efforts to end the global TB epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading infectious disease killer worldwide, with an estimated […]
For the first time, South Africa is taking leadership of the G20, a forum comprising 19 countries with the world’s largest economies, plus the European Union and the African Union. This offers a significant opportunity to address not only the interests of Africa, but that of the Global South. The nations of the G20 account […]
