Cape Town
In South Africa, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom supports pioneering empirical research projects, publications and roundtable discussions that provide an alternative platform for debate and the free exchange of ideas. These activities address the social and economic challenges facing South Africa as it continues to develop. They aim to offer practical policy recommendations and solutions.Well-researched studies and recommendations strengthen public awareness of issues concerning South Africa’s political and economic development. An important part of the Foundation's work focuses on collaboration with the Democratic Alliance (DA) - South Africa's liberal voice.
News
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Why we need to take sides
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom opens its new office in Johannesburg at a time when there is much debate about the value of that very freedom. A value, that is indispensable for the self determined development of human beings and for democracy. Today, there are more autocratic states than democratic states in the world. The list of dictatorial regimes that oppress their people remains consistently long. African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Libya and the Central African Republic are consumed by brutal civil wars. In Europe, a war of conquest is being waged for the first time since the Second World War. Why should war and conflict concern us? Deputy chairperson at FNF, Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, gave a speech on the question.
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State of the Nation Address 2023
When he first stepped onto the stage as president he promised a “new dawn”. On Thursday Cyril Ramaphosa will rise to address a nation in crisis with very little hope of any light and in a temporary home. The power utility, ESKOM, is on the brink of collapse, and leaderless. South Africans are in the dark on a daily basis and will enter winter with the reality of at least 8 hours of electricity shortages (load-shedding/blackouts) per day. It is promised that this will only stop in two years if all goes to plan.
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A president under pressure
Many believe that President Ramaphosa would be the only one who can save the party from electoral disaster, but a scathing report released in November, with just over two weeks to go to the conference, exposed Ramaphosa as potentially much less clean than the corruption-fighting leader he has thus far been. The report - compiled by an independent panel appointed by parliament and headed by a retired chief justice found that there might be grounds for impeachment.
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The dilemma of whistleblowers of corruption in Africa
“Corruption in Africa really fights, this doesn’t mean that corruption doesn’t fight elsewhere, but corruption in Africa fights hard,” Pusetso Morapedi of the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF). She was speaking in a panel discussion on the SABCNews programme, It’s Topical on Sunday, 6 November 2022. The show assembled a panel discussion of a dozen whistleblowers who blew the lid on corruption at state owned enterprises and the private sector.
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Cry, the beloved country – South Africa’s shambolic vaccination situation
The second wave of the Corona pandemic has hit South Africa with full force. But the government has no plan for procuring vaccines, nor for distributing them. Mass vaccination requires months of preparation, the establishment of complex control systems, and the strategic deployment of resources. None of this necessary preparation has yet taken place.
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Omicron in South Africa: a sour note
“We are deeply disappointed by the decision of several countries to prohibit travel from several Southern African countries following the identification of the Omicron variant. This is a clear and completely unjustified departure from the commitment that many of these countries made at the meeting of G20 countries in Rome last month. These restrictions are unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country.”
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The story of Jacob Zuma and Al Capone
On Tuesday, South Africa’s apex court found former President Jacob Zuma to be in contempt of court and sentenced him to a term of 15 months imprisonment. The Constitutional Court’s decision is a resounding affirmation of the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. The court’s message is crystal clear: all are equal before the law and subject to its sanctions, even a former president. Citizens have been wondering for a while whether Zuma would be jailed.
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#YouthDay2022 46 Years Later!
To commemorate 46 years since the historical #SowetoUprising of 16 June 1976, FNF's Cape Town liberal workshop is to release a series of eight video profiles. The series captures the thoughts and perspectives of 46 South African YOUTH in the present day. Do they still remember, do they still care?
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Mayor Dan Plato Launches Youth Civic Education Workshops
Mayor Dan Plato launches youth civic education workshops: Future Citizens Project. The future of Cape Town lies in the hands of the thousands of young people in communities across our city. The key to multiplying our gains as an innovative local government today is empowering our young residents to become active citizens for tomorrow.
Social Media
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#Langa100 #HumanRightsDay21March Nomthunzi Jacobs, the founder of Guga S'Thebe Cultural Centre in Langa speaks of the importance of "building bridges", in the context of #Langa, highlight how the lack of equal education, economic participation and a lack of investment are a human rights issue in Langa. This, as the township celebrates its centenary and looks into the future.
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What should the modern liberal approach to Africa's problems be? The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Africa brings you the first episode of the Liberal Informer. Hosted by Ayanda Sihlahla, the series uses humour to highlight and encourage debate on current affairs. In this first episode, we take a look at sanctions in the African context. Have sanctions produced the desired results in Africa? During the recent annual African Union (AU) General Assembly in Addis Ababa, a discussion was held to probe the possible lifting of sanctions on Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea by the AU at the time. The three West Africa countries have sanctions imposed on them by the AU and are suspended from the Economic Community of West African States. This is because of military juntas that have taken over in the three countries. Sudan is also on the list of countries who are on the AU sanction list. There have been different types of sanctions on various African nations in the form of economic and diplomatic sanctions. Many would say the sanctions have not been effective, whilst some would say that sanctions are necessary and are a valid approach to resolving conflicts. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom as an institution is pro-sanctions. Even so, the institution does encourage debate and dialogue of challenges affecting our societies and tries to come up with the best modern liberal approaches to solving these challenges. In this context, and in line with globally debates on what the 21st century’s approach to resolving conflicts that would normally lead to sanctions should be, we would like to hear what you think? #LiberalInformer
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Human Rights Day, South Africa 21 March - Celebrating Langa Townships Centenary! The FNF #liberalworkshop will be releasing a series looking at the history of #HumanRightsDay #SharpvilleDay in particular, drawing attention to the connection between this day and the history of #Langa township in Cape Town as it celebrates 100 years. #Langa100 The series will profile local community leaders, civil society, entrepreneurs and other changemakers in Langa.
