Briefs.png

HSF Briefs

An Assault on Parliamentary Democracy?
Author: Kameel Premhid
Published: 22 Aug 2014
The recent behaviour of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and the responses to it by the African National Congress (ANC), and the Democratic Alliance (DA), is worrying and troublesome. This brief explains why their conduct bodes ill for Parliament as an institution which is vital to democracy.
Briefs Politics Promoting Constitutional Democracy
SOUTH AFRICA’S NOUVELLE CUISINE: SLICING AND DICING PROPERTY RIGHTS
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 21 Aug 2014
Historically, redistribution of assets has taken a number of forms. It may take place at the end of a war or as an outcome of a revolution. It may be the result of special action of greater or lesser legality under an authoritarian government. South Africa is developing an approach which differs from all the above. It has the following characteristics:
Briefs Land
The HSF and the JSC
Author: Helen Suzman Foundation
Published: 05 Aug 2014
This brief details the HSF's ongoing litigation against the JSC.
Briefs Strengthening the Judicial System Justice
BRICS: THE NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK (NDB) AND THE CONTINGENT RESERVE ARRANGEMENT (CRA)
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 04 Aug 2014
On 15 July, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa signed agreements to establish the New Development Bank and the Contingency Reserve Arrangement. The provisions of each have to be incorporated into the law of each country. Once this is done, probably by 2016, the institutions can start operation. How will they work?
Briefs International
THE SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY IN THE SHORT RUN
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 29 Jul 2014
Hardly a week goes by without some fresh depressing news about the current state of the South African economy. The Reserve Bank has twice this year reduced its growth forecast for 2014, from 2.8% at the beginning of the year to 2.1% and most recently to 1.7%. It has also reduced its forecasts for 2015 and 2016. Standard and Poor’s and Fitch have downgraded South Africa’s credit rating and Moody’s has put it on negative watch. The Minister of Finance has warned recently that the period ahead will not be easy.
Economy Briefs
SADC Tribunal Back in the Spotlight
Author: Kameel Premhid
Published: 29 Jul 2014
The recent announcement by the Tanganyika Law Society to challenge the disbandment of the SADC Tribunal (before the High Court in Tanzania) has once again put the demise of this organisation in the spotlight. This Brief tracks the history of the Tribunal and explains why it is so important for the Rule of Law.
Briefs International
What is the Gauteng Department of Education smoking?
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 21 Jul 2014
City Press reported on 29 June [1] and IOL reported on 10 July 2014 [2] that the Gauteng MEC for education, Panyaza Lesufi, plans to merge former Model C schools with township schools. This is new. The Gauteng Department is smoking. The HSF has observed the smoke signal and we are trying to interpret it. In our efforts, we have posed ourselves the following questions:
Education Briefs
© Helen Suzman Foundation