Expert Analysis
Addressing Zambia’s Water Security Challenges
This policy briefing outlines the scale of Zambia’s current water crisis and examines its impact on agriculture, the environment, and the economy. Based on this analysis, it recommends a multifaceted approach to improve water management and distribution. Key...
GNU must reignite the culture of democracy
A growing axis of authoritarianism across the world threatens the democracies that remain, of which there are only a handful (24) that The Economist Intelligence Unit classifies as “full democracies”. In its 2023 index of democratic health — Age of Conflict — South...
Gas plan is a regional opportunity
In the wake of South Africa cementing itself as a coalition nation — through forming a government of national unity — attention is focused on re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce a new cabinet. The new ministers will pick up from where the sixth democratic...
The billion dollar ivory illusion
Southern African nations are at it again. Nyasha Chingono reported in late May that those “hosting the largest elephant populations in the world made a fresh pitch…to be allowed to sell their $1bn ivory stockpiles”, purportedly to allocate it towards conservation. How...
The myth of “too many elephants”
If you’ve had a conversation with anyone recently returned from the Kruger National Park (KNP), you’re likely to hear: “It was lekker, but there are too many elephants! The damage to the trees is crazy.” The idea is often linked to thinking that suggests we should...
Political popularity has a price to pay for both politicians and citizens
In a general election where South African voters participated at lower rates than ever before, those who cast their ballot primarily put forward five political parties. These include the African National Congress, the Democratic Alliance, the uMkhonto WeSizwe Party,...
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