John Kane-Berman says we have the freedom to fight for our freedoms, and should use it.
Latest from the IRR
The weasel clause that was taken out of an earlier version of the Promotion of Investment Bill of 2015 (the Investment Bill) has effectively reappeared in the latest version of the Expropriation Bill of 2015 (the Expropriation Bill).
Het die EFF ooit die ANC verlaat?
No scientific basis to climate change scare
25 November 2015 – “Belief that mankind is changing the climate in a dangerous way has become a ruling ideology of today,” writes Andrew Kenny, an engineer and energy expert, in the latest issue of @Liberty, the policy bulletin of the IRR.
In the first of a series Sara Gon writes on the concept of demographic representivity.
Man-made climate change is not a threat at all
24 November 2015 – “Our planet faces many environmental threats, such as over-fishing in our oceans and the devastation of wild animals in Africa. But manmade climate change is no threat at all.”
A week is a long time in politics. In South Africa a day is a long time in politics, but an issue has been bubbling under and now is swirling about our ears. It is a phenomenon over which the government has no control: the worst drought in over 30 years.
Sara Gon on the problem of the abuse of patients at public hospitals.
Paul Pereira says the party's efforts to mirror the ANC are potential ruinous for itself and SA.
The water shortages are having an affect on all South Africa citizens and on Biznews yesterday we got Anthony Turton’s take on the situation. His conclusion is that as much as the drought is a cause for concern, the actual water shortages are ‘induced’ due to a skills shortage and ineffective water waste management systems. In the article below the Institute of Race Relations’ Anthea Jeffery takes the discussion a step further. She says the drought will slow economic growth, threaten future development and is a public health concern
SA can drive the adoption of e-commerce by embarking on deregulation regarding the use of mobile money.
Die studentebetogings waardeur die land vanjaar geteister is, is deur ’n aantal ontleders en aktiviste as net so belangrik beskryf as dié van 1976. Daar is egter ’n betekenisvolle verskil. In 1976 was die revolusie gerig teen ’n verdagte en ongeoorloofde regering in ’n land waar die meerderheid mense geen ander opsie gehad het nie as gewelddadige protes om die regering te verander. In 2015 regverdig diegene wat hulle tot gewelddadige betogings wend, ’n opstand teen ’n regmatige demokrasie. Die enigste ooreenkoms is dat daar, net soos in 1976 toe daar teen veel meer as Afrikaans geprotesteer is, weer baie meer aan die gebeur is as net ’n protesbeweging teen universiteitsgelde.
Water wastage and contamination from an ‘induced’ deficit of engineering skills
11 November 2015 – Average water consumption in South Africa, at 235 litres per person per day (l/p/d), is a staggering 26% higher than the global average of 173 l/p/d, writes water expert Dr Anthony Turton in an analysis recently published in @Liberty, the policy bulletin of the IRR (Institute of Race Relations).
A looming water disaster that could have been avoided
10 November 2015 – South Africa’s water shortage is not simply the result of the current drought, says water expert Dr Anthony Turton in an analysis published today in @Liberty, the policy bulletin of the IRR (Institute of Race Relations).
While the demand by the protester for 0% fees is entitled to complete sympathy from the public, a real concern goes to the elements of undemocratic behaviour that are increasingly playing out in the protests.
Sara Gon on how Wits' nine measures are an act of desperation.
Sara Gon responds to Suraya Dadoo's defence of that organisation and her attack on Israel.
A number of issues mean that the judiciary currently being able to ‘reflect broadly the racial and gender composition’ of SA isn’t possible.
IRR report warns on growth, incomes and disposable income and calls for return to GEAR
2 November 2015 – A report released by the IRR last week warned that South Africa is likely to enter a long-term period of low economic growth. The report features long-term trends for major economic indicators together with forecasts of GDP growth, per capita GDP, inflation, interest rates, the rand, and household disposable income levels up to 2019.
Could the circular economy be the solution to youth unemployment?
28 October 2015 – The process of collecting, transporting, and recycling waste could generate hundreds of thousands of sustainable jobs and viable small businesses, thereby tackling one of South Africa’s greatest challenges – joblessness.
IT IS irresponsible to describe as "unsubstantiated", as Africa Check does (Louw’s claim remains unsubstantiated, October 20) the claim that black South Africans have seen significant improvements in their living standards since 1994. It is also offensive to the efforts of all South Africans who have worked so hard to build a better nation after 1994.
The question that has been raised this week is whether it is possible to increase funding for universities. Most mainstream analysts, commentators in the media, and the higher education minister have suggested it is not. However, analysis by the South African Institute of Race Relations suggests it is, if government spending priorities can be adjusted.
South Africa currently generates close on 110 million tonnes of waste a year. Most of it ends up in landfills and very little of it is recycled. If this could be changed, it would help unlock the significant wealth to be found in waste. It would also generate jobs and many new waste management businesses.
‘Waste economy’ holds economic and environmental benefits for South Africa
21 October 2015 – South Africa should be doing much more to ‘monetise’ the waste products currently being deposited in landfills and other dumps. This would clean up the environment while also creating local jobs and supporting the emergence of local entrepreneurs.
ONE of the significant statements made by President Jacob Zuma at the fourth national general council of the African National Congress (ANC) in Midrand recently seems to have been largely ignored by the print media.
Frans Cronje says farmers need to play a much more decisive role in setting the terms of reference for the debate around land and agriculture.
Housing vouchers to empower people
7 October 2015 – The solution to rising housing costs and poor delivery lies in what many people have been saying for years: that the State should transfer the housing subsidy directly to them, as they could use it more efficiently.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has found a new way to weaken patent rights via the Copyright Amendment Bill of 2015 (the Copyright Bill) and its proposed new “intellectual property tribunal” (the IP tribunal).
Housing Policy: Costly and Ineffective
6 October 2015 – In the past 21 years, the State has provided more than 2.5 million houses and a further 1.2 million serviced sites. "But at the same time," notes the IRR, "the housing backlog has grown from 1.5 million units in 1994 to 2.1 million units today. In addition, the number of informal settlements has expanded from 300 in 1994 to 2 225 now."
Something alarming is going on at the University of Stellenbosch. About a month ago Piet le Roux, head of the research institute of the Solidarity trade union and a member of the university’s council, sent out a tweet which, in English translation, read: "Blade Nzimande and transformania won’t win. Support the Afrikaanse Alumni Association."