Blog
Lessons in preventing violent protest in South Africa
Good communication and respectful responses to local service delivery problems can prevent anger and violence.
The high costs of power: how masculinity is harming the mental health of men
In addition to the pain inflicted upon victims, destructive conceptions of masculinity wreak havoc in the lives of men, which manifests in the form of compromised physical and mental health, restricted intimacy, and shallow friendships, amongst others.
Busting South Africa’s xenophobic myths starts at grassroots
A concerted effort is needed to prevent attacks on foreign-born migrants ahead of this year’s local elections.
NGOs commit to new plan to assist the homeless in Cape Town
In a recent study, U-turn, Khulisa Streetscapes and MES calculated the cost of homelessness in Cape Town and found that currently over R744 million is spent on this societal challenge, with a significant R286 million being spent on criminal justice costs alone.
South African vagrancy laws hark back to colonial times and violate human rights
In a watershed judgment, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights has ruled that vague, outdated colonial-era laws, like those that outlaw being idle or disorderly, are a violation of human rights as embodied in the African Charter.
In the cross-hairs: foreigners in SA’s informal sector
Politicians are pushing anti-immigrant messages and policy ahead of next year’s local government elections.
Municipal Training on Community Safety Planning to Strengthen the Role of Local Government in Building Safer Communities
Local government, the closest interface between government and communities, is a key driver of quality service delivery including the promotion of community safety. The Constitution demands that services and functions that have the most developmental impact on citizens should be performed by local government.
Public Space and Urban Safety
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, South Africa has had one of the strictest lockdowns worldwide, restricting movements significantly and citizens were only allowed to leave home for essential services like shopping and doctors’ visits. Public Spaces are abandoned areas during this time. However, social inequality and the imbalance of opportunities remain apparent - maybe more than ever before.
The war on women and children in South Africa
The family is the site of extremely violent incidents in South African society—particularly involving women and children. What can the state do?