insert_link Africa Kenya’s protests are different this time: 3 things that make it harder for government to crush them By Awino Okech, SOAS, University of London On 25 June 2024, a youth-led protest primarily composed of Gen Zs, as they are popularly referred to, stormed Kenya’s parliament. Legislators voted to pass the Finance Bill 2024 in its third and last reading ahead of presidential assent. This was the second countrywide protest over the proposed taxes in the draft law and excesses in government […] todayJuly 8, 2024 20
insert_link Africa The IMF is failing countries like Kenya: why, and what can be done about it By Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria The recent Kenyan protests are a warning that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is failing. The public does not think it is helping its member countries manage their economic and financial problems, which are being exacerbated by a rapidly changing global political economy. To be sure, the IMF is not the only cause of Kenya’s problems with raising […] todayJuly 3, 2024 10
insert_link Africa Kenyan police and protests: researchers on a violent, corrupt security force that’s beyond reform By Moina Spooner, The Conversation Kenya’s police are being criticised for their violent response to protests over the past week against government proposals to raise US$2.7 billion in additional taxes. Hundreds of thousands of people, across 35 of Kenya’s 37 counties, have poured out onto the streets in opposition to the tax hikes. The police have reacted with force, using live bullets and […] todayJune 26, 2024 28
insert_link Africa South Africa’s coalition government – making the case for hope By Brian Levy, Johns Hopkins University In the aftermath of South Africa’s recent election, renewed hope has made an unexpected appearance. In difficult times, even small gains can be valuable. But, on occasion, much more is possible. Small gains can feed on each other; momentum can build; a virtuous spiral can take hold. This may be such a moment. It’s not ordinarily a […] todayJune 26, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa South African parliament meets as ANC nears coalition deal By Julie BOURDIN, with Zama LUTHULI in Johannesburg South Africa's newly elected parliament met Friday and was expected to re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa to form an unprecedented coalition government as his humbled ANC raced to cobble together a deal. Chief Justice Raymond Zondo opened the first sitting of South Africa's seventh parliament since the advent of post-apartheid democracy in 1994, swearing in MPs in batches […] todayJune 14, 2024 33
Namibia Namibian youth turn backs on political parties, survey reveals https://youtu.be/xWLE28d7Arw By Valeria Handobe Owner of Survey Warehouse Christie Keulder says that young Namibians are distancing themselves from political parties, with many stating that they no longer feel close to any party. This follows a survey conducted by Afrobarometer in March this year, which revealed that only 56% of young people voted during the 2019 national election. Afrobarometer is a pan-African non-partisan survey research network […] todayJune 7, 2024 19
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa’s national student financial aid scheme has helped millions but is in trouble: here’s why South Africa’s minister of higher education and training, Blade Nzimande. Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images By Thandi Lewin, University of Johannesburg The board of South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been dissolved by the country’s higher education and training minister, Blade Nzimande, and the organisation placed under administration. Nzimande made the decision because of “(the problem of) non-payment of (students’) allowances”. Thandi Lewin is […] todayMay 6, 2024 26
insert_link Business / Economics Will Solomon Islands’ new leader stay close to China? By Priestley Habru, University of Adelaide and Claudina Habru, University of Adelaide Former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele has been elected the next prime minister of Solomon Islands, defeating the opposition leader, Matthew Wale, in a vote in parliament. The result is a mixed bag for former prime minister Manasseh Sogavare’s Ownership, Unity and Responsibility (OUR) Party. The party won just 15 of 50 seats in last month’s […] todayMay 3, 2024 33
insert_link 2 Opinion Pieces Reflection on local content policies: A catalyst for Namibia’s economic development and growth Opinion piece By Josef Kefas Sheehama On April 16–18, 2024, in Lüderitz, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and Antila Consultancy organized a local content oil and gas conference with the theme, "Empowering Namibia's Energy Ambitions by Connecting Industry and Indigenous Talent." According to Article 100 of Namibia's Constitution that, " Land, water, and natural resources below and above the surface of the land […] todayApril 24, 2024 13 2