Press freedom under attack in South Africa

South Africa is on the brink of a major step backward in press freedom.

Democracy in Africa

The Economist’s analysis sounds right to me. Vote rigging is pretty common in African elections, but that is not surprising in nascent/quasi-democracies. What seems more important is that Africans, by and large, see democracy as the only legitimate form of government. Even though the practice of democracy often falls short on the continent, it is more common for people to criticise the leaders of their country than their form of government. This was pretty much what I heard at the local government conference I attended in Zambia this week as well in Chatsworth last week. At the end of the day, I agree with The Economist’s optimism.

JNB

This is the airport code for Johannesburg. I spend so much time here it feels like a second home. I spent most of yesterday in Chatsworth getting an update on the Westcliff Flats Residents Association’s ongoing work. The more time I spend with them, the more impressed I am. I spent most of the morning looking at the ongoing housing renovations in the community. In the afternoon, we met with members of the municipal government. In the evening, I got an update on their income generation programs. I also saw what life in Westcliff would be like if it were not for the efforts of the WFRA. Many of the surrounding areas of Chatsworth are truly grim and destitute places, and the government seems indifferent – or even hostile – to their concerns. Making democracy work for the residents in Westcliff has been hard work, but one can’t deny the difference it has made.

Back in Durban

I am back in Durban, working with the Westcliff Flats Residents Association (WFRA). I just got back from their weekly meeting and I continue to be blown away by their work. Probably about 100 people showed up to talk about housing renovations, electricity and water. My admiration for Orlean and Pinky Naidoo (Orelean’s husband), the people who run the association, continues to grow. I also see how hard civil society groups have to work to make a difference in their community. Orlean and Pinky do a great job of organizing Westcliff to get better political accountability, but it is a 24/7 job and they receive no pay. I am spending tomorrow in Westcliff to see the progress the WFRA is making in getting the Durban municipal government to renovate their houses.

Incentives matter

Business Day’s (South Africa) Steven Friedman on incentives versus capacity:

[The South African government's impressive performance during the World Cup] surely confirms the view of those of us who have insisted all along that the problem is not that the government does not how to govern. It is, rather, a political problem, which ensures that it does not face enough pressure to govern well – it has not been forced to worry enough about the citizens it is meant to serve.

I agree.