The issue of spaces for engagement between civil society and government is one that continues to be controversial as many debate that these spaces are closing down or being underutilised. This was a matter raised at a debate chaired by Inyathelo which provides support for South African civil society. DA ...

While previous elections have been dominated by colourful mass rallies and door-to-door campaigning, these days Twitter "town hall" meetings, Google Hangouts and Facebook debates have become de riguer. Political parties have made a conscious effort to use these and other social media platforms in the run up to the elections ...

There has been a two-day stand-off with the Speaker and his spokesperson refusing to confirm the establishment of a parliamentary committee to investigate Nkandla. People’s Assembly does not understand this coyness as parliamentary papers announced this committee today as a fait accompli.

The Speaker of Parliament announced the appointment of ...

With the 2014 elections fast approaching, some media reports have bemoaned levels of voter apathy in South Africa, with The Citizen declaring “SA Voter Apathy Worrying” (The Citizen, 4 March, 2014) and The Star calling for “Change Needed to Fight Voter Apathy” (The Star, 7 November 2013). But while ...

In an opinion piece published in City Press last year, outspoken writer TO Molefe boldly declared that he was going to spoil his ballot in protest during the upcoming elections. He explained that many people have reacted in shock to his decision.

“Others think I lose my right to complain ...

On Monday 31 March, My Vote Counts (MVC) and sixty mass-based organisations and NGOs including the Awethu! Platform, Black Sash, Right2Know campaign, Corruption Watch, Open Democracy Advice Centre, Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum, sent a letter to 14 political parties requesting they reveal their private funders.

According to the letter, ...

As a means of ensuring free and fair elections, the secret ballot voting method guarantees voter confidentiality and helps to protect them from any attempts to influence their decision through bribery and intimidation.

South Africa’s elections are just around the corner. Have you ever wondered how the Independent Electoral Commission ...

South Africa experiences some of the worst road fatalities in the world with about 40 people reportedly dying on our roads daily. This is usually associated with a number of factors, including but not limited to, drunken driving, speeding, reckless overtaking, and driver fatigue from long and uninterrupted driving, failure ...

Since the start of this election year, accusations have been made about important pieces of legislation being pushed or “bulldozed” through Parliament, specifically pointing fingers at the ruling party who has been accused of rushing through bills to garner more support from the public.

Some of the concerns were that ...

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed fifteen bills in just two days this week (26 and 27 March), in a rush before the close of Parliament’s last session. Twelve of the bills were sent to the President for assent. Minor amendments were made to only three bills by the ...