insert_link South Africa Cape Town Challenges District Development Model Regulations The City of Cape Town has declared a formal intergovernmental dispute over what it describes as the unconstitutional and unlawful District Development Model regulations. The regulations came into effect in May this year under the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the regulations mandate each municipality to draw up a One Plan for approval by the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, which will be adopted by […] todayNovember 22, 2024 6
insert_link Namibia Phil Balhao Re-elected as Lüderitz Mayor With Swapo’s Josephine Heita Named Deputy Independent Patriots for Change's Phil Balhao has been re-elected as Lüderitz mayor, with Josephine Heita from Swapo appointed as deputy mayor. The new leadership commits to working together for the community’s progress in the coastal town. Balhao expressed gratitude when speaking with Future Media News. todayNovember 12, 2024 24
insert_link Business / Economics Expert Discusses Financial Challenges Facing Local Authorities Business and economics researcher Josef Sheehama addresses the financial struggles of local authorities. He points out concerns about poor financial management, inadequate service delivery, and emphasizes the urgent need for improved governance and accountability. Meanwhile, residents of Katutura are intensifying their challenge against the City of Windhoek's decision to block electricity meters of unpaid clients, arguing that it is unlawful. Spokesman Shaun Gariseb comments: todayNovember 11, 2024 17
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa nears compliance with the Financial Action Task Force’s financial crime requirements South Africa is close to meeting the Financial Action Task Force's requirements to combat financial crimes like money laundering and terrorism financing. In his first medium-term budget policy statement for the seventh administration, Finance minister Enoch Godongwana said only six items remain to be addressed by February next year, with 16 of the 22 requirements already fully or mostly completed: todayOctober 31, 2024 12
insert_link Africa Kenya’s lawmakers want to extend Presidential term to seven years Kenyan lawmakers have proposed revising the country’s constitution to extend presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years from five, according to a notice published in the Daily Nation newspaper. A bill submitted to the Senate and first read on 26 September 2024 is under discussion by a committee, according to the notice that calls for the public to submit its views on the proposal. todayOctober 2, 2024 17
insert_link South Africa SA’s Ramaphosa says the current approach to world peace is unjust, unfair and unsustainable South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa says at a time when the threats to international peace and security are many and complex, the world’s security can no longer be placed in the hands of a few major powers. He attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said the current approach to world peace is unjust, unfair, and unsustainable, and the UN Security […] todaySeptember 30, 2024 21
insert_link Africa Lesotho needs constitutional reforms to help gain political stability – but the latest attempt is flawed By Hoolo 'Nyane, University of Limpopo Lesotho, a small country landlocked by South Africa, has been struggling to make constitutional reforms since the advent of coalition politics in 2012. It needs the reforms to address political instability which has been a feature of the country for more than five decades. The judiciary, security agencies and civil service have been politicised, resulting in the institutions being […] todaySeptember 23, 2024 22
insert_link Africa African countries are adopting two houses of parliament to boost democracy – but that’s not always what happens By Thalia Gerzso, University of York At independence, most African states had two legislative chambers – a lower and upper chamber – in their parliament. African leaders saw that as a colonial legacy and as inefficient, so most states removed the upper chambers. Before 1990, only two states kept these bicameral parliaments: Liberia and Nigeria. Since then, however, 40% of the 44 sub-Saharan African states that hold regular […] todaySeptember 13, 2024 24
insert_link Namibia United Nations report criticizes Namibia’s SDG scores The Head of Governance at UN Namibia, Alka Bhatia says the Global Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goals does not give Namibia a good score on peace, justice, and strong institutions. SDG 16 promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. todaySeptember 4, 2024 48