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More than 26 million South Africans – out of a population of 62 million people – depend on social grants. Given the country’s extraordinarily high unemployment rate, it is no wonder that grants – from old age pensions to children’s grants – have become an emotive political issue. The governing African National Congress stands accused of politicising grants, claiming that they would be lost if the opposition came to power. However, new research by Leila Patel and Yolanda Sadie shows that the fear of losing grants will not be a deciding factor in the country’s upcoming election.
Ghana is losing its forests at a rapid rate. A growing population and a rise in mining activities and cocoa production are some of the reasons. Policies to stop the loss of valuable tree cover have not been successful. Forestry researcher John Tennyson Afele explains why and suggests ways forward.
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Leila Patel, University of Johannesburg; Yolanda Sadie, University of Johannesburg
Many grant recipients are young, unemployed, and not necessarily loyal to the governing ANC like older generations.
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John Tennyson Afele, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Ghana is losing forests because of cocoa farming, firewood harvesting, mining and logging.
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Sara Harmouch, American University
With both sides in Sudan’s civil war accused of recruiting Islamist militiamen, terrorist groups look set to capitalize on a power vacuum.
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Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria
South Africa should encourage the G20 to commission studies on the challenges that the international community faces, and suggest responses.
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From our international editions
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Michelle O'Shea, Western Sydney University; Hannah Adler, Griffith University; Marilla L. Druitt, Deakin University; Mike Armour, Western Sydney University
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