Harare
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been working in Zimbabwe since 1980. It has witnessed firsthand the dramatic changes that took place in Zimbabwe from the very beginning and supported the work of civil society organisations in times of crisis. The work of the Foundation focuses on re-establishing the rule of law, liberal democracy and a free market economy, which have been virtually destroyed by the repressive regime currently in power. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Harare advocates the protection of the remaining democratic and constitutional liberties with the aim of expanding these once political change has taken place.
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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Africa’s growing geo-political influence
Three back-to-back visits by major world powers to Africa ahead of February’s African Union Summit follow a flurry of important diplomatic visits in 2022, including by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron. Together, they signal attention to Africa’s rising political and economic bargaining power globally, which has been brought into sharp focus by the Russian war in Ukraine. “It’s a sign of increased attention to the continent.”
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Nailbiter continues for Peace Prize of the German Book Trade winner Tsitsi Dangarembga
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has traveled to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the announced sentencing of Tsitsi Dangarembga. But the attrition tactics against the critic continue: the date for the pronouncement of the verdict has been postponed to September 29. Dangarembga is a peaceful critic of Zimbabwe's autocratic repressive system.
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Behind Zimbabwe’s currency woes
The Z$750 000 note shocked many as a bigger banknote, but the Z$100 billion-dollar note in 2008 stole the show, which remains named as the Guinness record world's highest denomination banknote notwithstanding the ensuing introduction of a Z$100 trillion dollar note. The 100 trillion-dollar note became part of Zimbabwe’s former central bank chief Gideon Gono's failed efforts at saving an economic Armageddon characterised by a feisty inflation and deficits...
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Russian invasion on Ukraine: Impact on Africa
When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, the effects immediately rippled out around the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, the conflict has thus far been felt most acutely as a commodities crisis, with prices of key goods imported from Russia and Ukraine already beginning to spike. But there are also diplomatic tensions brewing over the treatment of African students in Ukraine, as well as how African countries position themselves in relation to the conflict.
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Covid-19: A Time for Introspection in Zimbabwe
As of today, my government imposes a 21-day lockdown without the necessary measures in place, at the very least of ensuring that we have water supply. We hear of deaths happening in people’s homes yet our government tells us that only one Zimbabwean has succumbed to the Coronavirus. We know it’s not true and we are worried for our dear lives.
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Photo Collage of COVID-19 Change and Challenges in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s economy is primarily informal. The southern African nation, with a score of 60,6 percent, has the world’s second largest informal economy after Bolivia (62,3 percent), according to the International Monetary Fund. This picture book provides an overview of the pandemic’s effects on Zimbabwe and its people through pictures.
Social Media
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#Langa100 #HumanRightsDay21March Alfred Magwaca became a tour guide in Langa with the passion to counter "the distortion of history" that he says was taking place in his community. He recalls that the anti pass laws marches in the Western Cape province in South Africa took place on 30 March 1960 and not on 21 March as in Sharpville. The pass laws were designed by the apartheid government to tighten state control over the movement of black South Africans. Langa will be commemorating the pass laws marches of 30 March 1960 today (30 March 2023).
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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
