Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Nicole Beardsworth

Creator

Nicole Beardsworth

Nicole Beardsworth holds a PhD in politics from the University of Warwick, an MA in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MSc in African Studies from the University of Oxford.

Millions of Zambians regularly exercise their democratic right at the ballot box (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)

Five things to watch in the Zambian elections

Zambia will hold presidential elections in three weeks’ time amidst an ongoing economic crisis and rising political tensions. These are the five most important things to look out…

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Photo: Supplied

Lies, damn lies and WhatsApp: Why it pays to listen to political rumours in Zim

The rumour mill can shape politics — and reveal uncomfortable truths

Since Edgar Lungu came into power, the government has spent large amounts on infrastructure and goods and Zambia’s debt has ballooned to a reported $9.4-billion. (Rogan Ward/Reuters)

Zambian economy on slippery slope

In the face of spiralling debt, the Patriotic Front will struggle to take the next election

In its recommendations, the Motlanthe commission said there must be compensation for victims and the deceased in the post-election violence. (Zinyange Auntony/AFP)

Zimbabwe: Who is in control?

Mnangagwa’s slim election victory, followed by violence, has observers asking why he would do this when all he needed was international credibility

New rules and ghost voters threaten Zimbabwe’s vote

In a shock new change, the ZEC is to adjust the electoral protocol in the ZEC elections handbook to reposition the country’s voting booths

Mnangagwa had vowed the elections would be free and fair and turn the page on Mugabe’s often repressive 37-year rule. (Aaron Ufumeli/EPA)

Ahead of Zimbabwe’s elections, all bets are off

The 2018 election is the last hurdle that President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs to clear before his government will get the global stamp of approval.

Frustrated IEC needs R300m to collect missing addresses for voter registration

The case for putting ‘none of the above’ on the ballot in the 2019 elections

In recent years, several countries have introduced a ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot in general elections.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi. (Reuters)

Botswana’s electoral disconnect ― and how it keeps the ruling party in power

By disconnecting presidential terms from electoral cycles, ruling parties in Botswana and South Africa preserve the ‘incumbency effect’

In Angola – Southern Africa’s largest oil producing nation – President José Eduardo dos Santos handed over power in 2017 after 38 years at the head of the country’s ruling MPLA

Is the wind of change blowing across southern Africa?

With the possibility of a election and presidents stepping down at the end of 2018, what is certain is that the region will look very different

Using a mix of music and rallies

Youths sound call for change

Africa’s young people suffer from political apathy, but a group in Senegal bucks the trend. Nicole Beardsworth reports.