africa

South Africa: An Electoral Tremor, Not An Earthquake

Gerry Lynch on August 7, 2016, 8:07 pm

| Readers 775

In few countries would a governing political party in the throes of internal crisis consider 54% of the vote in mid-term elections to local councils a disappointing result. In South Africa, however, this represents a significant shot across the bows of the ANC 22 years after it took power, a decline of 8% from the equivalent elections in 2011, and almost 16% from its all-time best result in the 2004 general election. (Official results service here.) The shock is amplified …

Ringtone and the drum: Africa’s underclass’s clash with technology

Mick Fealty on October 26, 2012, 3:53 pm

| Readers 62

My old friend from River Path has a book out today (his first, hooray!). I’d be lying if I told I’d read the whole thing right through, yet (I’m waiting for a free copy, rather than reams of white paper!!). But I have been talking with Mark on and off about the project for much of the last two years. If you want to get to grips with what’s happening in rapid development of Africa, Mark’s work is generally both …

The Failings of Global Aid- is it Time to Make Charity History?

Rory Fenton on September 1, 2011, 10:05 am

| Readers 30

Walking by a lake you see a child drowning. There is no one else around- what should you do? The clear moral answer is to jump in and pull the child out without sparing a thought for potential inconvenience. It has long been argued that the same moral reasoning applies to world poverty- we must intervene to help the world’s poorest. The widely held view is that this help should be aid. But does sending aid make the difference it …