The efficacy of the Southern African Development Community’s principles and guidelines hinges on the quality of democracy of its member states
Improving energy security and economic growth poses difficult climate questions
Partnerships between the government and independent power producers can be a gamechanger in exploiting the country’s vast solar energy resources for the benefit of the already excluded rural constituency
Mining in the Mana Pools National Park threatens the forests and floodplains that are home to exceptional wildlife, as well as income from tourism
Accountability and transparency are vital to avoid the ‘resource curse’, where extraction benefits the elite, at the expense of local people
But stigma remains, and measures such as low or no school fees, bursaries and mentorship could improve teenage mothers’ future opportunities
A Bill before parliament will, if passed, see the government’s powers extended, repressing efforts at development and voices of dissent
The first by-election in a year takes place amid violence and chicanery ahead of national elections next year