Food Safety in Southern Africa: rethinking world health worries
The theme for World Health Day, held on 7 April 2015, was ‘From farm to plate – make food safe.’ The main motivation for the theme was the alarming amount of bacteria borne diseases across the globe, transmitted by eating food which is contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances.
Burundi crisis a key issue for the African Union summit
A few weeks ago, forces loyal to President Pierre Nkurunziza stymied a coup d’état in Burundi. A few months earlier, last October to be precise, the exact opposite occurred when an army officer in Burkina Faso, Lt Col. Isaac Zida, dislodged in a bloodless coup d’état West Africa’s former strong-man and president of that country, Blaise Compaoré.
Energetic Dialogues in South Africa: The Inga Example
Studies of major hydropower projects such as that at the Grand Inga Dam in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) stress generation capacity and call for regional integration.
Controversy Follows E-Tolls Although ‘User Pays’ Principle Looks Set to Stay
A new pricing model for the controversial electronic toll collection (e-tolling) on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) was announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa last week, which will dramatically reduce user fees but link unpaid fees to driver’s licence renewals.
Preventive Diplomacy and the AU Panel of the Wise in Africa’s Electoral-related Conflicts
In recent years a spate of electoral-related conflicts in Africa has made the quest for ‘peace’ predominate electoral processes, especially in situations that hold substantial threats to peace and stability.
Deepening democratic norms is crucial for a self-assured Ethiopian foreign policy
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country, and one of the 12 fastest growing economies in the world is heading to a general election on 24 May 2015. There is very little to suggest that the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which came to power after a bloody civil war in 1991 should have much to worry about.
Democratising the BRICS image through inclusive global agendas
The BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) Academic Forum in Moscow took place from 21-23 May 2015.
South Africa’s foreign policy priorities for the 21st century: a closer look at the potential for co-operation in the South Atlantic zone
The South Atlantic Zone refers to a grouping of countries from Latin America and Africa that fall on the littoral border of the South Atlantic Ocean. This region holds significant strategic and economic potential for countries from both regions.
Safeguarding Africa’s Natural Heritage: The Case of Mining in Protected Areas
Protected areas (PAs) are conservation management tools designed to safeguard the world’s most threatened species and protect essential ecosystem services and biological resources. Today 200,000 PAs, including national parks and indigenous and communal areas, cover approximately 14.6% of the world’s land surface and 2.8% of its oceans.
The World Health Assembly revisited: renewed focus on regional governance in 2015
The 68th session of the World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva from 18 to 26 of May. The focus for this year’s Assembly is ‘Ebola: Ending the current outbreak, strengthening global preparedness and ensuring the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) capacity to prepare for and respond to future large-scale outbreaks and emergencies with health consequences,’ and ‘Health in the post-2015 development agenda’.