HSF Briefs

Helen Suzman Foundation | Apr 08, 2015
Sorted by date

The Southern African Development Community I – Population
Jul 29, 2021
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Charles Simkins

The Southern African Development Community is made up of sixteen countries and all countries on the continent with territory below five degrees south. The fifteen other countries are linked to South Africa in many ways and constitute our ‘near abroad’. South Africans should know more about them than they often do, and the purpose of this brief series is to set the current state of development in its various aspects: demographic, economic, political and social. This brief focusses on the region’s population dynamics, namely the evolution of population size and its age structure, as determined by fertility, mortality and migration.

The Effects Of Looting On The South African Health Care System At A Time When It Is Most Needed
Jul 26, 2021
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Sophie Smit

In the past week and a half, South African news has been overtaken by reports of violent riots and looting which started in protest to the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. The effect of the looting is evident on small and big businesses as well as the economy, increasing unemployment and making it difficult for businesses to recover from their losses. However, there are ripple effects which are not as clear. These include those on the health sector, and by extension the vaccine roll out.

Addressing Provincial Health Departments’ Medicolegal Claims Liability: Developing The Law Of Delict
Jul 16, 2021
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Zeenat Emmamally

Provincial health departments face numerous claims for damages for medical negligence. The common law provides that payments must be made in one lump sum, but this impacts on health departments' capacity to provide healthcare for others. This brief considers how the courts have begun developing the common law to provide for payments in kind and periodic payments.

The Life Esidimeni Inquest, Due To Start On 19 July 2021
Jul 13, 2021
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Sophie Smit

Five years after the Life Esidimeni tragedy was first uncovered, a formal inquest is being launched by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). It is the hope that the inquest will contribute to uncovering the truth behind the decisions which contributed to the termination of the contract which led to the death of 144 mentally ill patients and facilitate closure, by making it clear whether criminal prosecutions are to be instituted.

Combatting Vaccine Hesitancy
Jun 29, 2021
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Sophie Smit & Josh Zients

In this brief, we consider the problem and potential effect of vaccine hesitancy, and argue that given the deep-rooted mistrust of the state, the private sector can play a crucial role in combatting vaccine hesitancy. It is futile to procure the vaccine if distribution cannot be effected, or if, for whatever reason, people simply do not wish to be vaccinated.