By Kristin Palitza

Opposition parties heavily criticised the African National Congress’ economic policies, but offered few constructive alternatives at a Critical Thinking Forum on Thursday in Cape Town, organised by the Mail & Guardian and the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa).

Under fire came the country’s high unemployment, income inequality and crime rates as well as the dysfunctional health and education systems, which were in part blamed on a “leadership crisis” within the ruling party.

by Kristin Palitza

PATERNOSTER, South Africa, Dec 31 (IPS) - Long after the official opening of the crayfish season in South Africa on November 15, the boats lay idle on the beach in West Coast fishing villages like Paternoster. Fishing permits from the Marine and Coastal Management unit (MCM) of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism had not been issued.

by Kristin Palitza

SALDANHA, South Africa, Dec 21, 2009 (IPS) - The sound of sewing machines fills the room with a low, continuous hum. A handful of women sit behind the machines, their heads bent in concentration on their work.

The seamstresses belong to a business development project run by the West Coast Business Development Centre (WCBDC) in Saldanha, which aims to provide previously unemployed people with stable incomes and business support.]]>Game has just begunhttp://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/game-has-just-begun.htmlKristin Palitza2009-10-01T07:26:25ZMail & Guardian | 25 Sep 2009

By Kristin Palitza

The game has started, but goals have not been scored. Since the department of trade and industry started to accredit verification agencies to formalise broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) in February 2007, employment equity has quickly gained importance.

But it remains to be seen whether the rating scheme will truly manage to redress economic disadvantages. “If BEE were a sport, we would be five minutes into a 90-minute football match,” says independent BEE consultant Michael Bullock.]]>'Darfur Was Just A Place Where Evil Lived'http://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/darfur-was-just-a-place-where-evil-lived.htmlKristin Palitza2009-06-20T08:53:57ZInter Press Service | 19 Jun 2009

Kristin Palitza interviews MAHMOOD MAMDANI, professor of anthropology and political science

CAPE TOWN, Jun 19 (IPS) - Analysing the colonial and historical roots of the violence in Darfur, Mahmood Mamdani concludes that the crisis in Darfur is not genocide, but a fight for land, triggered by drought, which has been racialised by outside powers.One of These States is Not Like the Others...http://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/one-of-these-states-is-not-like-the-others.htmlKristin Palitza2009-06-12T06:45:13ZInter Press Service | 11 June 2009

By Kristin Palitza

CAPE TOWN, Jun 11 (IPS) - African economic experts at the World Economic Forum on Africa have called for a regional approach to the global financial crisis, but South Africa - the continent’s strongest economy - does not want to play ball.

South African minister of trade and industry, Rob Davies, believes strict trade policies, regulation and export to developed countries are the most suitable mechanisms to protect the South African economy. Economies Must Diversify, Reduce Focus on Mininghttp://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/economies-must-diversify-reduce-focus-on-mining.htmlKristin Palitza2009-06-11T07:21:06ZInter Press Service | 10 Jun 2009

By Kristin Palitza

CAPE TOWN, Jun 10 (IPS) - The global financial crisis has taught African governments a lesson. More than ever, they recognise the need to diversify their countries’ mining operations as a key defence against economic instability and cyclical swings.Politicians Fail to Address HIVhttp://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/politicians-fail-to-address-hiv.htmlKristin Palitza2009-04-25T11:48:06ZInter Press Service | 23 Mar 2009

By Kristin Palitza

LUSAKA, MAR 23 (IPS) - Parliamentarians across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have failed to put HIV on the political agenda.Activists Ask Government to Integrate Men and Boys in Gender Politicshttp://www.kristinpalitza.com/politics/activists-ask-government-to-integrate-men-and-boys-in-gender.htmlKristin Palitza2009-04-25T11:45:53ZInter Press Service | 24 Apr 2009

by Kristin Palitza

DURBAN, Apr 24 (IPS) - Gender activists are calling on the new South African government to improve the country’s gender legislation. Current gender policies focus on women, ignoring the rights, roles and responsibility of men and boys, they say.