HSF Briefs

Department seeks to amend the legislation governing the public service, but squanders the opportunity for meaningful reform

This brief examines the Department of Public Service and Administration's proposed amendments to the legislative scheme governing the public service. It is argued that the amendment bills fall short of what is required to professionalise the public service and end corruption.

COVID-19 Vaccines - South African Developments And Issues

This is the second of two briefs about COVID-19 vaccines. This brief sets out vaccine developments in South Africa as well as the various issues that are being faced by the government, the health sector and the people in accessing the vaccine.

Vaccine Nationalism And Global Equity

This is the first of two briefs discussing issues relating to COVID-19 vaccines. This brief argues that, in order to combat COVID-19, global equity to vaccine access is necessary. However, in order to achieve this equitable distribution, vaccine nationalism as well as poor government policy and governance surrounding vaccine access will have to be overcome.

Impeachment of the Public Protector

This brief explores the implications of the Independent Panel report and concludes that careful consideration of its findings about the Public Protector is necessary to protect our constitutional democracy.

What Can We Expect From The Economy In 2021?

This brief explores what economic drivers lie behind the economic growth projections from various international organisations, South African official sources and South African commercial banks.

Understanding Cronyism

This brief examines cronyism as a subtype of corruption, and argues, using the executive ethics code as an example, that frameworks do not adequately safeguard against cronyism.

Has Statistics South Africa Under-Estimated The Employment Recovery?

Many commentators have argued that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a sharp increase in the unemployment rate, relying solely on Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS). But the QLFS is not the only source of information on the labour market. This brief considers the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the labour market by reviewing data from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Employment Statistics and national accounts, as well as the National Income Dynamics Study Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey.

The Expropriation Bill - Why is everyone focusing on expropriation without compensation and not on the major land reform issues?

This brief examines the many problematic aspects on the subject of land reform in South Africa and points out that the proposed amendment to the Constitution and the Expropriation Bill are not the major issues of concern.