The Wicked Conversation

The July 2021 unrest a year later – have the lessons been learned?
On 7 July 2021, former President Jacob Zuma began serving a 15-month prison sentence. His arrest stemmed from an unprecedented judgment by the Constitutional Court, which called for his imprisonment for failing to appear before the State Capture Inquiry. The following...
Expert analysis

Africa must reverse the resource curse
The African continent has an abundance of minerals that could drive the just energy transition – if governments and investors get it right. Last month, the South African delegation at the World Economic Forum affirmed that the country is ready to partner with the...

NGOs in Zimbabwe under threat — and not for the first time
As Zimbabwe counts down to the 2023 elections, civil society is again fighting for its very existence. The parliament has, since November 2021, been working towards the amendment of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act. If passed, the amendments will provide...

Cabinet reshuffle will make or break the ANC
Towards the end of last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa overcame his most difficult political battles. The parliamentary section 89 report on the money stolen from his Phala Phala farm that could have led to an impeachment process was set aside and he...

Is ESG just Colonialism 2.0?
In a recent editorial for the Washington Examiner, African Energy Chamber Executive Chair NJ Ayuk labelled Environmental Social Governance (ESG) as "Colonialism 2.0”. Mr Ayuk argues that ESG criteria for financial investments are being weaponised to impose green...

Stability lies at the heart of prosperity
Investors and the business community have an incentive and a responsibility to enhance local governance performance in South Africa. This is the clear conclusion in the latest intelligence report produced by Good Governance Africa. Stability is a necessary condition...
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The Governance Report
Explore Africa’s 54 countries from the Governance Report
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COP26: What should be at the top of Africa’s agenda?
In November, the United Kingdom will host the 26th annual United Nations (UN) global climate summit – called COP – or “Conference of the Parties” in Glasgow. COP26 (delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic) has a unique urgency and could prove to be one of the most important conferences of our time. Most experts agree that the…
The Africa Governance Papers
Podcasts

ESG is good for everyone, including the extractive industries
Why is good Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) in fragile...

PODCAST: Africa’s divided response to the war in Ukraine
Ukraine: Africa's divided response We look at Africa's perceived lack of...

PODCAST: West Africa Coups
West Africa Coups In recent years, West Africa has seen a spate of coups and...
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ANC conference: Phala Phala must not detract from critical governance issues
On 22 November, the head of the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) electoral committee, former president Kgalema Motlanthe, announced the procedures and results of branch nominations for the party’s top six positions ahead of the party’s 55th National Conference, due...

SA’s social compact has stalled
President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated in his State of the Nation Address in February that the government and its social partners had 100 days to finish a comprehensive social compact to address issues of economic growth and unemployment. Social partners, as represented...

The private sector can help ensure local-level stability in South Africa
At the forefront of debates about the functioning of local government in South Africa is a question of stability. This discourse is understandably dominated by the attention given to political aspects of instability in metropolitan councils. These emphasise the role...

Is terminating the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit legal?
Introduction The Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, has every right to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) regime, as he did on 19 November 2021. The ZEP programme was initially set up as a demonstration of goodwill by the South African government...
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