HSF Briefs

Perspectives and Facts on AGOA
Author: Azwimpheleli Langalanga
Published: 01 Nov 2023
As part of its new “South Africa in the World” project, HSF releases this brief explanatory note on the AGOA Summit happening from tomorrow until 4 November 2023. It is written by HSF’s foreign policy fellow, Azwimpheleli Langalanga.
AGOA USA South Africa Trade Briefs
Homeless people out in the cold in Gauteng
Author: Ezekiel Kekana
Published: 15 Aug 2023
The 10th of July 2023 was marked with joy and jubilation by many residents in Gauteng as the province experienced snow for the first time since 2012. For the homeless in Gauteng, it was an entirely different prospect altogether.
Briefs Protecting Human Rights Social Justice Transformation Social Justice Transformation
Picking up the pieces: President Ramaphosa's response to state capture
Author: Jos Venter
Published: 15 Nov 2022
On 22 October 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa released the government’s response to the findings and recommendations of the Zondo Commission. The response puts forward various actions that will be taken to implement the recommendations aimed at the executive and the presidency. This brief highlights some of the crucial elements in the President’s response that have the potential to breathe life into the Zondo Commission’s findings and recommendations.
Briefs state capture president politics and governance
The Public Protector, The Committee And The Courts – What To Do With The Judicial Findings?
Author: Jos Venter
Published: 29 Jul 2022
This brief explores the constitutional role of the Section 194 Committee tasked with establishing whether Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane has committed misconduct or is incompetent to hold office. It argues that in the course of carrying out its work, the Committee has no power to second guess judicial findings.
Fighting Corruption Promoting Constitutional Democracy Politics Public Interest Governance Securing Accountability Briefs Strengthening the Judicial System Building Democratic Institutions Upholding the Rule of Law Justice
The Big Questions About South African Income Inequality
Author: Helen Suzman Foundation
Published: 09 Jun 2022
This brief contains highlights from a discussion with HSF research fellow, Prof. Alex van den Heever regarding the implementation of basic income support in South Africa.
Economy Briefs
The Public Protector Impeachment Process: How The Enquiry Resumes
Author: Jos Venter
Published: 04 Mar 2022
This brief examines the judgement of the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of the rules adopted by the National Assembly for the removal of heads and commissioners of Chapter 9 institutions, the effect thereof on the current impeachment process of the Public Protector and it indicates what may be expected going forward.
Promoting Constitutional Democracy Politics Governance Securing Accountability Briefs Strengthening the Judicial System Building Democratic Institutions Upholding the Rule of Law Fighting Corruption
Why the Government is proposing Electoral Reform now and why the proposal is inadequate
Author: Charles Simkins
Published: 22 Feb 2022
This brief has been written to accompany the Helen Suzman Foundation’s submission to the National Assembly’s Home Affairs Portfolio Committee on the Electoral Amendment Bill. The purpose of this brief is to compare the electoral system we have had until now with the system that the Bill intends to introduce, as well as the mixed-member proportional (MMP) system we propose as an alternative.
Briefs Facilitating Public Participation Promoting Constitutional Democracy Protecting Human Rights Fostering Deliberative Reasoned Decision Making Elections Securing Accountability