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 […]
The clouds of xenophobia and the ongoing dynamic of exclusion of foreign nationals, along with the scapegoating of such communities, continue to hang very low over the sad realities of mobile people in South Africa. The politics of recent years, and specifically over the past months, have witnessed a marked shift towards ‘blame shifting.’ Refugee […]
Since 1911 International Women’s Day has been celebrated on 8th March. It serves to commemorate women’s fight for equality; celebrate women’s achievements; raise awareness about discrimination; and take action to forge gender parity. This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, reminds us of the inter-connectedness of these three fundamental principles. It […]
The very disturbing events in recent weeks at Stilfontein, around the contested issues of illegal mining and the various abuses that have emerged with regard to those activities, also have a very prominent ‘migration thread’ running through them. Indeed, this has been the case since the very start of the mining industry. The Leon Commission […]
World Obesity Day is marked on 4th March. It serves as an annual platform to raise awareness and to advocate for practical solutions in addressing the global obesity crisis, which the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes as one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. This calls for a cohesive, cross-sector response. […]
The dramatic decision to postpone this year’s budget speech at the last second, and the fact that there is clearly a major disagreement on fiscal matters between the ANC and its coalition partners – and possibly within senior ANC leadership circles too – surely means that the time has come to thoroughly review government’s thinking […]
