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Smart cities: This is a render from the Zendai Modderfontein project that was cancelled.

South Africa’s obsession with ‘Cities’

South Africa doesn’t need another “mega city” with big promises and no foundations. It needs cities that work – developments rooted in demand, affordability and local partnerships

Thirteen pupils died on Monday in a crash involving a scholar transport vehicle in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg.

What is the leading cause of death of young people? Car crashes

Urgent, concerted action must be taken to end road carnage globally

Plush: The Cape Wheel was recently relocated to the Granger Bay precinct at V&A Waterfront, the area marked for new development. Photo: Supplied

V&A Waterfront to reclaim land from sea – again

The Waterfront’s infrastructural investment – worth more than R20 billion – will be the largest in Cape Town since the 2010 Soccer World Cup

The future of the African Union: How many more days are left?

Founded on the principles of pan-Africanism 22 years ago, the AU has had its successes, but facing mounting issues of foreign funding, an inability to act on conflicts among…

The Namaqua veld. File photo

The silent threat: Degrading veld endangers global food and ecosystems

South Africa’s rangeland, vital for livelihoods and ecosystems, faces severe deterioration from climate change and overuse

International organisations such as the World Bank have also emphasised the importance of skills audits in promoting good governance and effective service delivery in the public sector. Photo: Supplied

How the government can use skills audit to strengthen public services

Other countries have already benefited from this process, and South Africa can learn from their experiences

People queueing during a distribution of hampers, masks, soap and sanitiser during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was organised by different charities at the Iterileng informal settlement near Laudium, Pretoria, on May 20, 2020. (Photo by Marco LONGARI / AFP)

Roadmap to get public services and infrastructure back on track

As SA’s democracy heads towards 30 years, we need to critically assess what needs to be done differently to become Madiba’s miracle nation

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Joburg’s rains are causing flooding and destroying homes

Heavy rains have submerged vehicles, trapped homeowners on roofs, collapsed walls, and decimated shacks and houses

To ensure efficiency the public procurement system need to be streamlined, using sound technical processes and tools to improve procedures.

State’s developmental role puts procurement at the centre of the economy

To ensure efficiency the public procurement system need to be streamlined, using sound technical processes and tools to improve procedures

(John McCann)

Gender equality is good for everyone

When human capital is more diverse and more representative, companies are more creative, more sustainable and more profitable

Four future scenario paint mixed picture of optimism and pessimism for Africa’s future governance and development. (EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Imagining African governance futures in 2063

Four future scenario paint mixed picture of optimism and pessimism for Africa’s future governance and development

It is possible that people are tiring themselves out through their acceptance of collaborative engagements that do not necessarily lead to better organisational or development outcomes

Collaboration fatigue: Why saying yes means saying no

It is possible that people are tiring themselves out through their acceptance of collaborative engagements that do not necessarily lead to better organisational or development…

Recalcitrant: The Century Property Developments company has encroached on a demarcated wetland and its buffer zone in Fourways in its construction of a luxury clubhouse and pool in the Helderfontein Estate.

Green Scorpions sting luxury property developer

Century Property Developments has been ordered to halt all construction work at its upmarket estate in Fourways in Gauteng

Construction work has already begun to transform the River Club into a site where Amazon wants to situate its headquarters in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images/ER Lombard)

Landmark battle over River Club imperils Amazon HQ plans

If the high court in Cape Town rules for an interim interdict in the River Club project to halt building on heritage land, Amazon is likely to pull out

Children carry the heaviest burden: inadequate nutrition, unsafe housing, limited early childhood development, and weak schooling outcomes overlap and compound.

Is broad-based BEE an anchor for democracy?

Government and public entities are too timid in their transformation drive and could do much more to raise black people from poverty

Avoiding Day Zero: The Enkangala-Drakensbeg Strategic Water Source Area supplies Gauteng among other provinces. The authors argue that a proposed coal mine in Mabola in Mpumalanga will endanger critical water supplies. (Roger de la Harpe/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)

The lie of limitless economic progress

We need alternatives because unrestrained development is not compatible with life

Lack of basic services: Empty buckets belonging to the residents of a sprawling informal settlement on the outskirts of Lawley, Johannesburg, are lined up waiting for a water truck to fill them up. (Marco Longari/AFP)

Get people involved in development

Service delivery is about improving people’s lives, not expedient election promises

Women must be allowed to determine their own future

Gender equality is a political priority

Here’s how the EU is continuing to support women and girls worldwide

ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane

Mabuyane hints at possible coalition with DA in Nelson Mandela Bay

Oscar Mabuyane tested waters with the ANC provincial executive committee regarding a possible coalition with the DA during a special meeting on Thursday

DA candidate for Nkandla local municipality Malibongwe Dubazane  (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Mission implausible for the DA’s man in Nkandla

Malibongwe Dubazane is contesting all 14 of the IFP-run Nkandla local municipality’s wards