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Mail & Guardian

Democracy

latest news & developments

When crime starts calling the shots

Elections and constitutional structures can remain intact even as organised crime quietly infiltrates institutions. Insights from Colombia and South Africa reveal the growing…

Democracy: Zambia's recently concluded 2026 elections have raised fears of democratic backsliding, particularly following the arrest and subsequent treason charges against Brian Mundubile, the main challenger to President Hakainde Hichilema. Photo: Mutinta Hichilema

From hope to fear: A tale of Zambia's democracy in contrast with other States

An analysis of Zambia's democratic trajectory following the 2026 elections, contrasting its civic space and challenges with governance trends across Africa.

Decentralisation: Service delivery, failing infrastructure and governance are prominent issues in municipalities. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Lessons from Peru and SA for the Global South

As Peru and South Africa prepare for subnational elections, their shared governance challenges highlight the delicate balance between subnational autonomy, state capacity, and…

A mixed bag for human rights in Southern Africa in 2019

Building a human rights agenda fit for 21st-century realities

As aid cuts threaten essential healthcare and disillusionment grows, Africa faces a vital opportunity to renew and reimagine a human rights agenda fit for 21st-century realities.

Zimbabwe: When the grave digs itself

Zimbabwe's proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No 3 extends presidential terms and criminalises communication with foreign entities, threatening the core of the country's…

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema faces elections next year. Photo: Supplied

Judge the election, not the winner

Treating incumbent victories with automatic suspicion and opposition wins as proof of fairness is flawed. African elections must be judged on process and evidence, not just the…

Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema

How Zambia lost the plot: Inside a troubled election

An expert analysis delves into Zambia's 2026 election, highlighting a troubling weakening of institutional safeguards. The article raises legitimate questions about procedural…

Does the friction around coalitions signal what’s to come in 2024 – politicians say no (Photo by Gallo Images/Papi Morake)

Legacy Foundations Impact

As South Africa's political landscape faces challenges from declining party leadership and a lack of evidence-based policy, legacy political foundations are emerging as critical…

Has South Africa lived up to Walter Sisulu's vision?

The second annual Walter Sisulu Memorial Lecture, delivered by former President Kgalema Motlanthe, reflected on whether South Africa's democracy truly embodies the values of…

Foreigners prepare to leave the country in June 2026. Although immigration laws exist, the government has ignored the people's call to address the flagrant disregard of the laws and eradicate illegal immigration. Photo: Lyse Commins

Active citizenry is not xenophobia

The South African Constitution champions a government based on the will of the people, expressed through citizen participation in elections. However, recent protests against…

Lived reality: What happens when a country still knows how to worship its founding words but no longer knows how to enact them in ordinary public life? Photo: Susannah Stevens

The Republic of the Replica

Our US correspondent recounts a chaotic 250th birthday celebration in Washington D.C., where a quest to see the Declaration of Independence and attend the national parade turned…

Minding the language gap: Why ordinary citizens are thrown under the train

The Botmaskop dispute in Stellenbosch reveals a significant gap between what authorities intend, what they write, and what the public can reasonably understand. This article…

The plight of Erias Lukwago and the price of dissent in the Pearl of Africa

Former Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago's court appearance has gone viral, showing him pleading for bail to seek urgent medical attention as his health declines. Despite his desperate…

Cyril Ramaphosa: waiting for the birth of that constitution

As the world awaited South Africa's new constitution, a last-minute scramble unfolded behind closed doors. With red carpets laid and choirs ready, the nation held its breath as…

South Africa’s SADC’s moment

As South Africa prepares to host the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, the article reflects on the state of democracy in the region and SADC's challenges in upholding its commitments.…