INTERVIEW: Omar van Reenen Reflects on Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize

INTERVIEW: Omar van Reenen Reflects on Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize

In a groundbreaking moment for LGBTQI+ rights in Namibia, Omar van Reenen has been awarded the prestigious Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize. This honor recognizes young leaders worldwide for their dedication to safeguarding democracy and human rights. In an exclusive interview, van Reenen shared his thoughts on receiving this award, its significance for the LGBTQI+ community, and his plans moving forward. Van Reenen expressed his gratitude for being nominated by […]

November 1, 2024 16

Africa

Kenya protests: Gen Z shows the power of digital activism – driving change from screens to the streets

By Job Mwaura, University of the Witwatersrand Nationwide demonstrations have erupted in Kenya over a controversial tax bill. The Finance Bill 2024, initially presented to parliament in May, has sparked discontent with an increase in an array of taxes and levies for Kenyans. The mass protests, initially organised in the capital city, Nairobi, have spread across the country. Demonstrations have taken place in […]

June 24, 2024 55

Namibia

Politicians urged to simplify manifestos to engage young voters

https://youtu.be/94YOzZof2fs By: Valeria Handobe, via News on One Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Youth Leader and Head of Communications, Julia Nekwaya called on political parties to make their manifestos more digestible for young voters. Nekwaya was speaking at the EduVote panel discussion, hosted by the Global Shapers - Windhoek hub, which aims to amplify the voices and perspectives of young voters, encouraging them to actively engage […]

June 3, 2024 23

Africa

Tanzania’s political parties have few women in leadership and candidate lists: some solutions

By Victoria Melkisedeck Lihiru, The Open University of Tanzania Tanzania, in keeping with global political trends, reserves 30% of seats in parliament for women. These so-called special seats were introduced with multiparty politics in 1992, in response to the low numbers of women elected to positions of power. There were only eight elected female parliamentarians after the first multiparty elections in 1995. Ten years later, 17 […]

May 14, 2024 16

Namibia

Youth reluctant to vote in upcoming elections.

https://youtu.be/BdYbJa81628 By Finna Kahili As national elections approach, there is a concern about youth reluctance to vote despite calls for their participation. The turnout of young voters could significantly influence election outcomes and shape political priorities and policymaking. NewsOnOne interviewed several university students about the upcoming National Assembly and Presidential elections slated for 27 November this year. Students indicated they might participated in the voter […]

May 13, 2024 53

Africa

Lagos’ slum dwellers are excluded from decisions that affect them. 3 ways to change that

By Oluwaseyi Omowunmi Popogbe, Crawford University Lagos is a city of two halves: money dripping in the corridors of corporate offices, and stagnant water dripping in the slums that are home to over 20 million. Residents of informal settlements grapple with the daily challenges that come with inadequate infrastructure, limited access to essential services, and social exclusion. Social exclusion means being excluded from participating wholly in the […]

April 22, 2024 15

South Africa

ANC loses case against the MK Party in SA Electoral Court

The South African Electoral Court has dismissed the African National Congress's attempt to prevent a new party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma, from participating in the upcoming general election. The ANC had argued that uMKhonto weSizwe had not met the criteria for official registration. According to the SABC, the country’s electoral court on Tuesday morning rejected that challenge. The ANC, according to the BBC, has said it accepts the […]

March 26, 2024 12

Namibia

IPPR calls for youth involvement in 2024 election

The Institute for Public Policy Research has warned that unless young people can be persuaded to take an interest in local politics, the country is likely to see a low election turnout. Here’s IPPR executive director Graham Hopwood with more.

February 19, 2024 34

Opinion Pieces

Even with a 30% quota in place, Indonesian women face an uphill battle running for office

By Sally White, Australian National University In the 2019 general election, Indonesians voted more women into the national parliament than ever before. After the first election of the post-authoritarian period in 1999, women’s representation was a paltry 8.8%, so the rise to 20.9% in 2019 seemed worth celebrating. Indeed, women activists had worked long and hard to reach this point. Disappointed with the results of the first […]

February 9, 2024 15