ANC Centenary
By Tony | January 8, 2012
As the ANC celebrates the 100th anniversary of it’s founding, ACTSA’s director Tony Dykes takes a look at the history of the party and the celebrations that will take place throughout 2012.
Today the African National Congress (ANC), Africa’s oldest liberation movement, celebrates its centenary.
Events are being held in Mangaung (previously known as Bloemfontein) where the ANC was founded a 100 years ago. It was initially called the South Africa Native National Congress until 1923 when it became the African National Congress. Read the rest of this entry »
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Southern Africa – prospects for 2012
By Tony | January 4, 2012
ACTSA’s director, Tony Dykes, considers what will be happening in southern Africa in 2012.
Parliamentary Elections are due to be held in Angola by the end of year. In Lesotho and the Seychelles elections for their National Assembly are due to take place and in the DRC following the disputed parliamentary and presidential elections of 2011 provincial elections are due on 25 February 2012. Read the rest of this entry »
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SA Agriculture Minister says food security must be discussed at Climate Change Summit
By admin | September 8, 2011
Mail and Guardian, 8 September
The world will suffer dire consequences if food security was not placed on the agenda at November’s COP17 climate-change meeting in Durban, according to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson. Read the rest of this entry »
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Em Angola a paz vai bem, mas não o suficiente
By Mark | August 15, 2011
Observações pessoais de um profissional da área do desenvolvimento
Após muitos anos de viagens a Angola, em visita recente depois de uma ausência de cinco anos, percebi o quanto as coisas mudaram e o quanto permanecem como antes. Passei duas semanas trabalhando com comunidades rurais em três províncias para discutirmos os efeitos das mudanças climáticas sobre seus ambientes e meios de vida. Ao longo do processo fui exposto ao que significa o desenvolvimento pós-guerra para os angolanos comuns. Read the rest of this entry »
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Angola: observations from a development worker
By Campaigns | July 25, 2011
Angola Monitor, July 2011
Peace is good but not yet good enough
Following many years of travel to Angola from 1999 on, a recent return trip after five years’ absence showed how much has changed – and how much hasn’t. I spent two weeks working with rural communities in three provinces to discuss the effects of climate change on their environment and livelihoods. In the process I was exposed to what post-war development in Angola means for ordinary Angolans. Read the rest of this entry »
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Beyond the spotlight of the Arab Spring, our influence in southern Africa must not wither
By Campaigns | July 21, 2011
ACTSA News, Summer 2011
Steven Twigg MP, Shadow Minister for Africa and the Middle East
Since taking my post as Shadow Minister for Africa and the Middle East in October 2010 we have witnessed, it is fair to say, a historic period in international affairs. The pace and scale of change is unprecedented for this generation. Events in the Middle East and North Africa region have, almost exclusively, framed the focus of attention of governments around the world on the Arab Spring. Read the rest of this entry »
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South Africa – One year on from the World Cup
By Mark | June 14, 2011
Tony Dykes, Left Foot Forward, 11 June
Today marks the anniversary of South Africa’s hosting of the World Cup. It is also the anniversary of Nelson Mandela and his comrades being sentenced to life imprisonment and the 1988 Wembley concert that called for his release.
Where is South Africa today? There have been recent issues of violence including attacks on and the murder of foreigners, so called xenophobic violence. There are calls for policies which reduce poverty and inequality, and for improved service delivery. Read the rest of this entry »
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Invite to royal wedding should be withdrawn for Swaziland’s king
By Mark | April 27, 2011
Mark Beacon, Left Foot Forward
Yesterday evening more than 60 protesters gathered outside London’s Dorchester Hotel, anticipating the arrival of one of the most controversial guests at the royal wedding – Africa’s only absolute monarch, king Mswati III of Swaziland. Read the rest of this entry »
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Malawi Expels British High Commissioner and Britain retaliates, view from a Malawian living in the UK
By Mark | April 27, 2011
The report on the expulsion of the British High Commissioner Mr Fegus Cochrane-Dyet to Malawi has raised concerns from all quarters of Malawian society. The Malawi government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs told the British High Commissioner to leave Malawi within 48 hours. According to various academics and historians alike, the decision is a misjudgement and there is rising demand for the President to reverse the decision. The British government have since informed the Acting Malawian High Commissioner to London to leave as soon as possible. Read the rest of this entry »
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Aid, development and solidarity
By Tony | March 4, 2011
ACTSA’s Director, Tony Dykes comments on the government’s aid review
On 1 March the Secretary of State for International Development announced the results of the aid review. There were winners, where the aid budget was increased and losers where aid was cut completely. Action for Southern Africa is asking that the decision to cut the UK aid budget to Lesotho be reviewed. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and has the 3rd highest rate of HIV/AIDS. Nearly 50 per cent of the population try to live on less than $1.25 cents a day. The Department for International Development (DFID) spent £5 million in Lesotho in 09/10. Not a lot, but Lesotho is relatively small with 2 million people and £5 million spent well there can make an important contribution to poverty reduction and development. It could have a much greater impact in Lesotho than being re-allocated. (DFID) says Lesotho is one of the poorest countries in the world with a high degree of vulnerability. So we think right to push for a rethink. Read the rest of this entry »
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