A false dawn for Zimbabwe - 1st August 2008

There has been much speculation in the media that the Zimbabwe negotiations taking place between the MDC and ZANU-PF in Pretoria herald a new dawn for that country. But the talks, and their success or failure, are falsely heralded as breakthrough in Zimbabwe’s crisis as the problems and challenges Zimbabwe face are now as much about economics and social conditions as they once were about politics. Improving those conditions may take decades regardless of who runs the country. This article was first published on www.sairr.org.za

Better sports policy for South Africa

This current spat between the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the parliamentary portfolio committee on sport has revealed how necessary it is to keep politicians out of sports policy. This first appeared on SAIRR Today, www.sairr.org.za.

Threats to the Constitutional Court are both menacing and ludicrous

Some of Jacob Zuma’s supporters would feel at home in Robert Mugabe’s cabinet, given their threats of violence and attacks on the highest court in the land, says John Kane-Berman. This column appeared in Business Day on 10th July 2008.

South Africa's cops should do better.

The South African Police Service brought out 2007/08 crime figures this week. Overall they showed that most categories of crime continued to be slightly down year on year. The general post-2003/4 decline in crime levels therefore continued. While certain kinds of crime such as house robberies and hijackings increased the police appear satisfied that their targets of a 7%-10% annual reduction in certain crime types are being met. Is this good enough? This article was first posted by Frans Cronje on the website of the South African Institute of Race Relations - www.sairr.org.za

Zuma's friends will have to kill millions - 27th June 2008

Julius Malema and Zwelinzima Vavi have both uttered statements that they are prepared to kill anyone standing between Zuma and the presidency. They have also in the past insinuated that the free press, the due process of law, the political opposition, and even political activity within the ANC, have somehow conspired against Zuma. But the real threats to Zuma come not from any of the above but from the poor and the unemployed. If Malema and Vavi want to kill to protect Zuma they will have to start here. This article was first posted on www.sairr.org.za.

Need for Jacob Zuma to denounce killing talk - 26th June 2008

Mr Jacob Zuma’s response to recent threats of violence by some of his key supporters has been inadequate, suggesting that he is afraid of them or condones what they say. This column by John Kane-Berman appeared in Business Day on 26th June 2008.

African growth promise - a lesson to South Africa - 20th June 2008

Economic data from a number of African economies demonstrate that these are outperforming South Africa. While South Africa remains the continent’s biggest economy it is no longer certain that the continent’s economic destiny depends on South Africa’s performance. With South Africa’s own growth rates under pressure it may be a useful exercise to pay close attention to promising economic performances on display north of our borders. This article was first posted by Frans Cronje on www.sairr.org.za

Prague spring or flash in the pan? - 13th June 2008

A development that has accompanied the fall of Thabo Mbeki is that South Africans seem far more willing to hold political leaders to account than was the case just a year ago. Newspaper editorials, columnists, news bulletins, business leaders, and civil society organizations appear to have lost much of the fear that once kept them in awe of the ANC. Will this Prague spring survive or is it simply a flash in the pan until the next government takes office in 2009? This article was first posted on www.sairr.org.za.

No quick-fix remedy for informal settlements - 12th June

John Kane-Berman lists various objections to the housing minister’s proposals to eradicate informal settlements. This article first appeared in Business Day on 12th June 2008.

A better life for all - 6th June 2008

Much bitter criticism has been directed at Thabo Mbeki and his failed government over the past month. The Institute issued what was widely described as a “scathing indictment” of Mbeki’s tenure in office. No doubt all of that criticism was well deserved by a complacent government that stood by when it should have been apparent that the wheels were coming off for South Africa. But the criticism, our own included, has arguably ignored one vital point - that Thabo Mbeki and his government were elected freely and democratically by a large majority. This article was first posted by Frans Cronje on www.sair.org.za