With only a few weeks to kick-off, South Africa’s readiness for the 2010 Fifa World Cup is evident, and tickets have been snapped up by South Africans – enthusiastic football fans and those simply caught up in the excitement. Notwithstanding the satisfaction that the “Afro-pessimists” have been proven wrong, South Africa’s successful bid for the 2010 Fifa World Cup triggered heated debates. The collection of articles gathered here presents some of these discussions. more»

Equal Education participates in public hearings on delivery of quality education and access to education – June 3, 2010 - On the 25th of May Equal Education (EE) participated in public hearings on delivery of quality education and access to education hosted by the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in Parliament. 60 learners from EE were in attendance as EE raised critical issues with regards to the improvement of access to basic education such as infrastructure, and functioning school libraries. more»

Submission to Portfolio Committee on Basic Education – Comments on How to Improve Basic Education – March 5, 2010 - This paper deals with the broad basic infrastructural needs and backlogs faced by many South African schools, which include the supply of water; sanitation; electricity; libraries; laboratories and computer centres. There still exists major inequality in access to basic resources in our schools. This is reflected in the disparate results between poor and privileged schools, with the latter performing better across the board. more»

We can't afford not to - Costing the provision of functional school – March 5, 2010 - This paper pursues three closely related objectives: to review the field of international and local research which, particularly over the past two decades, has pointed to the positive causal relationship between functional school libraries and improved learner outcomes; to contextualize the current state of affairs in South African schools; and lastly, to provide detailed cost estimates which can be used as the basis for a comprehensive implementation plan. more»

SA’s ‘incomes-based’ education system perpetuates inequality – January 11, 2010 - IN LONG Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela places enormous hope in education. “Education is the great engine of personal development,” he writes. “It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm- workers can become the president.” Many people know this quote. By Doron Isaacs more»

People from Mhondoro Ngezi speak on the constitution – December 3, 2009 - Crisis Coalition in conjunction with Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe held a constitutional meeting this week at Mamina growth point in Mhondoro Ngezi, Mashonaland West province. More than 80 villagers attended the meeting, including councilors from various wards. The meeting is part of the ongoing meetings being held by Crisis coalition to stimulate debate around the envisaged constitution making process. more»

Watchdogs need citizens to watch over them – December 1, 2009 - If we want institutions that watch over our rights, we ought to do more to watch over them. The appointment of a new Human Rights Commission (HRC) a few weeks ago should have been controversial. The new chair, former public protector Lawrence Mushwana, has been criticised by some for a perceived unwillingness to tackle political power-holders. Half the commissioners are former African National Congress (ANC) MPs, while respected figures with no ties to the ANC were ignored. By Steven Friedman more»

Civil society and the post-Polokwane South African state: assessing civil society’s prospects of improved policy engagement – November 10, 2009 - Citizens' organisations in South Africa may have more influence than they believe - but only if they think more strategically and try harder to represent people at the grassroots. This is the key finding of this study of civil society organisations undertaken by the Centre for the Study of Democracy at Rhodes University and the University of Johannesburg and funded by the Heinrich Boell Foundation. more»

Equal Education campaigns for better schools – September 22, 2009 - Windows to change - Over the past five years, Luhlaza Senior Secondary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, accumulated more than 500 broken windows. Pupils and teachers accepted this as an unpleasant reality. They shivered through winter, complained to one another and stuck pieces of cardboard over the holes. more»