SAIRR Today: Warning bells for South Africa - 18th March 2010
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Making the news: While the bread lasts we should sit back and enjoy ANC circus. - Business Day 15th March 2010
BUSINESS Day hit the nail on the head last Thursday (March 11) when commenting on Winnie Madikizela- Mandela’s latest foray into public consciousness. “It’s enormous fun to watch the ANC (African National Congress) tie itself up in knots as it tries, for the millionth time, to extract itself from another gigantic political excess.”
Making the news: Little value for money in government spending - Business Day 18th February 2010
Deservedly, Pravin Gordhan’s budget has been widely praised. But a fundamental question arises: does the country get value for money from a government which appropriates an increasing slice of GDP? Here is what John Kane-Berman wrote in today's edition of Business Day:
Making the news: Needed: another De Klerk - Business Day 15th February 2010
John Kane-Berman has resumed his column in Business Day. The edition of 15th February 2010 the follows below:
Making the news: 2009 Matric Results - Classic FM, 7th January 2010
Listen to Frans Cronje and others discussing the 2009 matric results on Classic Business on Classic FM.
SAIRR Opinion: People’s War: New Light on the Struggle for South Africa - 4th December 2009
On Friday 27th November 2009 the Mail & Guardian published an attack on Anthea Jeffery’s new People’s War book. Her response (see below) was sent to the newspaper on Monday 30th November 2009 with a request that it be published with the same degree of prominence as the attack. Instead, the newspaper has failed to publish it at all.
SAIRR Opinion: Have your say on the Reitz Four - 26th October 2009
Few people have seen the whole Reitz video. Has the media blown the incident out of proportion? Is it indeed as serious as it is made out to be? What punishment would be appropriate under the circumstances? Watch the video on YouTube by clicking the link below and then enter your opinion on our website.
SAIRR Opinion: Jansen’s decision part of a bigger picture - 23rd October 2009
Professor Jansen’s decision to drop the charges against the Reitz four, and allow them back into the University is part of a greater vision for the transformation of the university. He plans to change the institutional culture of racism that remained entrenched on campus.
Making the news: 'Liar Selebi trying to create smokescreen' - The Times 6th October 2009
The Times has quoted The South African Institute of Race Relations saying that, "Selebi was perhaps taking advantage of the current atmosphere, where there is a cloud of suspicion over senior ANC members of the past five years. He may be sending a warning to others to say he has information on them, and he will use it if he needs to".
Making the news: Proposed National Health Insurance scheme - Classic FM, 14th September 2009
Frans Cronje discusses the proposed National Health Insurance scheme with John Fraser on Classic FM.
Making the news: South Africans condemn Canada for 'racist' ruling - The Globe and Mail, 3rd September 2009
The Globe and Mail has reported that the Institute has said that, “The Institute has found no evidence that there is a general pattern of racial attacks on white South Africans by black South Africans."
Making the news: Blacks also 'persecuted' - IOL, 2nd September 2009
IOL has quoted the Institute as saying, "While a racial motive was sometimes detected in crimes, there was no "general pattern of racial attacks on white South Africans by black South Africans."
Making the news: Limpopo safest province - News24, 6th July 2009
News24 reported that: "Limpopo has less crime than the rest of South Africa's eight provinces, despite having fewer policemen. The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR)'s latest provincial review of Fast Facts revealed that there was one policeman for every 528 people living in Limpopo. “The most recent SAIRR provincial review found that despite having the worst ratio of police officials per population, Limpopo was the safest province,” said SAIRR researcher, Kerwin Lebone, on Monday. Lebone was referring to a report by SAIRR provincial outreach officer, Gail Eddy, that showed the difference in crime levels for the country's provinces. The statistics were gathered by the SAIRR between 1994 and March 2009."
Making the news: Going off half-cock: A better model for gun management - Daily Dispatch, 6th July 2009
The Daily Dispatch reported that: "Last week the Pretoria High Court issued a ruling effectively suspending several provisions of the Firearms Control Act of 2000. This piece of legislation had long been dogged by controversy. Firearms owners and their representative bodies will now go to court to argue the constitutional and administrative failings of the Act. The greatest problem facing the Act is that it does not appear to work as the crime prevention mechanism it was originally billed as. No side of the South African gun debate disputes that firearms in the wrong hands are a serious threat. There are a great many such firearms, as our violent crime rates attest. Why, then, is it the case that the primary intervention designed to curb such threats has after five years produced only inconclusive results?"
Making the news: Urbanisation 'fuels crime in W Cape' - Cape Argus, 4th July 2009
The Cape Argus reported that: "In a statement, the SAIRR suggested that the high incidence of crime, particularly murder and robbery, were linked to the province's wealth. The Western Cape has the highest murder and robbery (business and residential) rates in the country. In contrast, the province was found to be one of the wealthiest, contributing an impressive 14.5 percent to the economy's gross domestic product in 2007. It also had a comparatively high ratio of police officers per person, with one police officer for every 300 people."
Making the news: Zuma 'is not a stooge' - President his own boss, says ANC - Sowetan, 26th June 2009
The Sowetan reported this morning that, "The African National Congress and President Jacob Zuma have rejected suggestions that he is a “stooge” of the ruling party and its alliance partners – Cosatu and the South African Communist Party. A report by Frans Cronje, deputy chief executive of the South African Institute of Race Relations, set the ball rolling this week when he suggested the ANC should cut ties with the two organisations."
Making the news: Zuma defends ANC’s influence - The Times, 26th June 2009
The Times reported this morning that, "In a piece published on the institute’s website, deputy chief executive Frans Cronje argues that Cosatu has become an embarrassment for Zuma’s government and that the alliance is 'becoming an obstacle' to the ANC delivering on its election promises."
Making the news: ANC releases press statement on the Institute - 25th June 2009
The African National Congress has released a statement accusing the Institute of being opposed to a "democratic culture" and trying to "drive a wedge between the organisation and its alliance partners". The statement follows a paper published by the Institute drawing attention to the tense state of the ruling alliance.
Making the news: Alliance unity is a charade, says race relations - Business Day, 25th June 2009
Business Day reported this morning that, "The African National Congress (ANC) was in a strong position to dump its alliance partners, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party (SACP), the South African Institute of Race Relations said yesterday. In an article written by deputy CEO Frans Cronje, it argues that trade union membership amounted to only a small portion of the ANC’s voter support base and that the party stood to lose very little support in dropping its alliance partners."
Making the news: Cabinet Analysis - Classic FM 11th May 2009
Listen to Frans Cronje, Tony Twine, and Riaan de Lange discussing the Zuma cabinet on Classic Business on Classic FM.
Making the news: South Africa's ANC Seems Set For Re-Election - Washington Post 22nd April 2009
The Washington Post reported that, "Others argue that the ANC has done much to earn its following. The government says it has built 2.7 million free houses for the poor since 1994, and the number of households using electricity for lighting and cooking has doubled since 1996, according to the South African Institute of Race Relations, which says that attributing ANC support to liberation loyalties 'ignores the very real successes of government in delivering services'.”
Making the news: Duarte’s disdain for debate a disservice to the ANC - Letter to The Times 19th April 2009
In a letter to The Times a reader writes, "So, when Frans Cronje (see http://www.saelections.co.za/opinion/frans- cronje/when-politicians-sell-south-africa- short/ ) shares his thoughts on South Africa’s political leadership, Duarte becomes an example of how South African leaders might do a better job."
Making the news: Who do the Black Middle Class support? - Independent Online 1st April 2009
Members of the black middle classes were more likely to support parties other than the ANC, party president Jacob Zuma has said at a breakfast hosted by the South African Institute of Race Relations.
Making the new: Zuma defends Dalai Lama stance - The Times 31st March 2009
ANC president Jacob Zuma backed the government’s stance on denying the Dalai Lama a visa to visit South Africa in March, at a business breakfast hosted by the South African Institute of Race Relations in Johannesburg.
Making the news: Rise in prison deaths 'alarming' - Cape Times 21st March 2009
The Cape Times reported that, "The number of prisoners dying of natural causes has risen four-fold since 1996 while medical parole granted has only increased by 18 percent, the South African Institute for Race Relations said in a report this week."
Making the news: DA cannot win with a ‘madam complex’ - 13th March 2009
Aubrey Matshiqi wrote in Business Day this morning that, "At a national level, the DA has reached the ceiling among white voters and will only grow if it succeeds in attracting a sizeable number of black voters. This is not going to happen any time soon because the organic change in social relations such as race and gender tends to be painfully slow, and the quality of the change less than satisfactory when achieved through institutional and policy interventions. This objective reality is one of the daunting challenges facing the DA."
Making the news: We cannot be politically objective, but we can permit diversity - Business Day 5th March 2009
Xolela Mangcu wrote in Business Day this morning that, "It strikes me as particularly healthy that the CE of the South African Institute of Race Relations, John Kane-Berman, writes columns consistently at odds with the president of the same institution, Sipho Seepe."
Making the news: Stop all demeaning forms of racism - The Times 5th March 2009
Jonathan Jansen appeared on an Institute organised panel to discuss affirmative action last week. This week he wrote in The Times that, "As my children would say, “same-oh; same-oh”. Whites are evil; blacks are good. If only whites stopped being evil, blacks would advance. T his in a context where black people run the country and where black millionaires represent the fastest growing demographic shift since the early 1990s."
Making the news: DA keeps IEC on straight and narrow, says Zille - Business Day 4th March 2009
Business Day reports this morning that, "Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille criticised the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday, saying she was worried about the independence of the body." These comments were made at a pre-election breakfast hosted by the Institute and The Weekender yesterday.
Making the news: COPE’s disagreements could usher in open, robust debates - Business Day 27th February 2009
Eusebius Mckaiser of the Centre for the Study of Democracy wrote in Business Day this morning that, "The truth about COPE’s position [on affirmative action] was revealed this week when Lekota addressed a business breakfast gathering, hosted by The Weekender and the South African Institute of Race Relations."
Making the news: Bishop's move - The Economist 26th February 2009
The Economist reported this week that, "The South African Institute of Race Relations, a think-tank, has given warning that the spreading allegations of fraud and corruption in the ruling party may come to compromise the country’s rule of law. 'It appears as if certain political leaders take the presumption of innocence to mean that they can remain in office while under suspicion, regardless of the damage that does to their political party or to government,' says the institute’s deputy director."
Media release: Skills flight retards growth and investment - 23rd February 2009
The Institute has cautioned that the flight of scarce skills out of South Africa needed to be taken seriously and not reduced to a simple debate about race.
Making the news: Fleeing From South Africa - Newsweek 23rd February 2009
Newsweek ran a cover story this week citing Institute research that large numbers of middle class South Africans were leaving the country.
Making the news: ANC graft threatens S.Africa rule of law - Reuters 17th February 2009
Reuters reports that, "Fraud and corruption in South Africa's ruling ANC could compromise the rule of law in the country, a leading think tank said, as a new graft scandal put the party under a spotlight ahead of an election."
Making the news: ANC corruption ‘threatens rule of law’ - Business Day 17th February 2009
Business Day reported this morning that the Institute had warned that corruption within the ANC would inevitably translate into corruption in government which would in turn come to threaten the rule of law in South Africa.
Making the news: New scandal exposes South Africa's ANC struggle over past loyalties, modern politics - Los Angeles Times, 16th February 2009
The Los Angeles Times is one of more than 100 local and international media and press organisations which have reported the Institute's concerns about corruption in the ANC over the past 24 hours.
State of the nation address - 6th February 2009
President Motlanthe delivered his state of the nation address in Cape Town this morning.
Making the news: High hopes for a peaceful poll this year - Business Day 6th February 2009
Amy Musgrave reported for Business Day this morning that the Institute had predicted a relatively peaceful run-up to the 2009 elections. This was contrary to the predictions of certain other analysts.
Making the news: 'Pre-poll violence is only minor' - Pretoria News 6th February 2009
Pretoria News reported this morning that the Institute had said that, "there has been a marked improvement in conditions for political tolerance. Despite isolated incidents such as those in Nongoma this past week, there is no discernible pattern to suggest that these [2009] elections will become violent."
Making the news: Motlanthe nears end of a rough ride - The Star 6th February 2009
Moshoeshoe Monare wrote in The Star newspaper this morning that the Institute was one of a number of organisations that has predicted future schisms in the ANC.
Media release: Political violence exaggerated - 5th February 2009
The Institute released a media statement this morning saying that it was highly unlikely that political violence would tarnish the 2009 elections. The Institute said that speculation to the contrary was 'alarmist and misleading'.
Making the news: OBE is stunting poor pupils - The Mercury 27th January 2009
The Institute this week told The Mercury newspaper that the performance of the current education department could be compared to the performance of the Bantu education system. A number of teacher unions and other organisations have criticised this statement. The Institute stands by its statement will respond to the criticism via its SAIRR Today newsletter this Friday.
Making the news: Political poker with promises - Daily Dispatch 26th January 2009
The Institute's election forecasts for 2009 have been widely reported in the media. Below follows an editorial from the Daily Dispatch.
Making the news: 'Our public school system is in crisis' - Cape Argus 19th January 2009
The Institute has told the Cape Argus that the matric pass rate reported by the minister of education was not "an honest reflection of the pass-out of the school system" and that the failure of the school system now posed "the greatest single crisis facing South Africa".
Media release: What is the real matric pass rate? - 18th January 2009
The Institute has speculated that the effective matric pass rate is well below the 62.5% announced by the minister of education. From data published in the South Africa Survey it appears as if the effective pass rate for 2008 was closer to 35%.
Making the news: Zuma graft charges cloud ANC campaign for South Africa polls - AFP 14th January 2009
AFP reports that the Institute has warned that after 15 years of democracy, voters would be taking a more critical look at the party that led the struggle against apartheid.
Making the news: Parliamentary proposals 'don't go far enough' - Mail and Guardian 14th January 2008
The Mail and Guardian reports that proposals by an independent review panel for reforms to restore the credibility of Parliament, while giving it a stronger hand in law-making and oversight of the government, don't go far enough, according to panel member and South African Institute of Race Relations chief John Kane-Berman, who declined to sign the panel's final consensus report.
Making the news: Parliamentary review calls for new polling system - I-Net Bridge 13th January 2009
The Institute participated in a panel to assess the effectiveness of Parliament. The panel's report was handed to the Speaker of Parliament today as reported by I-Net Bridge below.
Making the news: 'Race not answer in unequal society' - The Star 8th January 2009
The Institute has received wide publicity for highlighting that current affirmative action and empowerment policies are unlikely to result in a more equal society. This article was originally published on page 5 of The Star on 8th January 2009
Making the news: No economic shifts expected if ANC wins - The Mercury 7th January 2009
The South African Institute of Race Relations has predicted a major post-election fallout between the ANC and its left-wing allies over macro- economic policy direction. This article was originally published on page 2 of The Mercury on 7th January, 2009.
Making the news: Economic policy unlikely to change much, says SAIRR - Business Day 7th January 2009
Profiles on six of SA’s most prominent political leaders suggest there will be limited changes in economic policy after this year’s election, the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) says. This article was published in Business Day on 7th January 2009.
Advance Survey release: South Africa Survey 2007/08 now online
An advance release of 2007/08 edition of the South Africa Survey is now available online and accessible to corporate and business subscribers holding passwords or IP recognition access to this website. The hard copy will be distributed to all subscribers during November 2008.
Briefing report: The state of the judiciary - 14th October 2008
This morning Judge Carole Lewis of the Supreme Court of Appeal addressed an Institute breakfast in Johannesburg. The briefing was hosted in conjunction with The Weekender and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty. Judge Lewis spoke candidly about state of the judiciary and highlighted several areas of concern. The full text of her briefing appears below.
SAIRR Today: ANC broedertwis – heralding a new party? - 3rd October 2008
Last week the Institute analysed various opinion polls, and the results of the leadership vote at the national conference of the African National Congress (ANC) at Polokwane in December last year, regarding the likelihood of success for a split in the ANC. The Institute said that such a splinter party would probably receive relatively significant support, and could emerge victorious in the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape, the Free State, and possibly Gauteng.
SAIRR Today: A new political scenario for a break-away in the ANC - 26th September 2008
The decision taken by the NEC of the ANC to recall Mr Thabo Mbeki from office has created the possibility of a split within the ANC. This is unlikely to happen soon but if it were to happen the new ANC faction could perhaps garner significant support.
Institute backs Sunday Times/Zapiro over Zuma cartoon controversy -10th September 2008
The Institute this morning came out strongly in support of the Sunday Times and Zapiro over a controversial cartoon depicting Jacob Zuma about to rape 'justice' who was held down by senior ANC leaders. The Institute said that the cartoon would serve to show the ANC just how seriously their threats against the judiciary are taken.
SAIRR Today: Better sports policy for South Africa - 25th July 2008
This current spat between the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and the parliamentary portfolio committee on sport has revealed how necessary it is to keep politicians out of sports policy.
Media statement: Human Rights Commission failure condemned - 23 July 2008
The Institute this morning released a statement that was highly critical of the manner in which the South African Human Rights Commission handled the recent complaint against the general secretary of COSATU. The Institute accused the commission of compromising its principles.
Media statement: Expropriation threatens investor confidence - 17th July 2008
The Institute said this morning that assurances by the ANC to investors that economic policy would not change meant little when the party was supporting legislation that would allow the government to expropriate those same investors' assets.
Media statement: Institute references provincial report in light of ANC provincial axings - 15th July 2008
The Institute notes reports that the ANC intends to axe the premiers of 'underperforming' provinces. The Institute published a report on the relative performance of provinces in May 2008. That report found that the Western Cape was one of South Africa's top performing provinces while the Eastern Cape was the worst performing.
Institute submits complaint to the Human Rights Commission - 14th July 2008
The Institute this morning sent a letter of complaint to the CEO of the South African Human Rights Commission. The complaint referred to reports in this morning's newspapers that the head of the youth league of the African National Congress, Mr Julius Malema, had called for the 'elimination' of groups including the Democratic Alliance. In the context of other recent threats by Mr Malema the Institute regards this latest threat as extremely serious and a threat to peace and stability in South Africa.
Media statement: Institute denies role in campaign to boost Zuma - 11th July 2008
The Institute this afternoon issued a statement in response to newspaper reports that its president, Sipho Seepe, was party to a campaign to benefit the political career of Jacob Zuma. The Institute has pointed out that neither the Institute nor its president was party to any such political campaign.
Media statement: Fourteen year crime trends - 11th July 2008
The Institute this afternoon released a statement accompanying its annual review of crime trends for South Africa. The fourteen year review identified a number of positive trends.
Threats to the Constitutional Court are both menacing and ludicrous - 10th July 2008
Some of Jacob Zuma’s supporters would feel at home in Robert Mugabe’s cabinet, given their threats of violence and attacks on the highest court in the land, says John Kane-Berman. This column appeared in Business Day on 10th July 2008.
In the news #2 2008 - 27th June 2008
The Institute is cited in the local and international media literally hundreds of times every year. A limited selection of those references are posted on this website as they become available.
Need for Jacob Zuma to denounce killing talk - 26th June 2008
Mr Jacob Zuma’s response to recent threats of violence by some of his key supporters has been inadequate, suggesting that he is afraid of them or condones what they say. This column by John Kane-Berman appeared in Business Day on 26th June 2008.
No quick-fix remedy for informal settlements - 12th June 2008
John Kane-Berman lists various objections to the housing minister’s proposals to eradicate informal settlements. This article first appeared in Business Day on 12th June 2008.
Institute calls for a moratorium on the arrest of ‘illegal’ immigrants - 6th June 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations this morning called on the Minister of Safety and Security to implement a moratorium on the arrest of so called ‘illegal immigrants’.
In the news #1 2008 - 6th June 2008
The Institute is cited in the local and international media literally hundreds of times every year. We will from this week post regular PDF updates of selected Institute references or opinion making headlines in South Africa and around the world.
ANC setting South Africa on path towards failed statehood - 29th May 2008
John Kane-Berman asks whether Jacob Zuma has the courage and ability to change the African National Congress into a different kind of animal. This article appeared in Business Day on 29th May 2008.
Statement by the South African Institute of Race Relations on causal factors behind the violent unrest in and around Johannesburg - 20th May 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations this morning described the wave of violence that has gripped Johannesburg and surrounding areas for the past week as a direct response to policy failures on the part of Thabo Mbeki’s government. According to the Institute, poor and ineffective governance had created a tinder box of unmet expectations which exploded in Alexandra and has now spread to several other areas – similar to many of the causal factors that contributed to apartheid era unrest. Essentially these failures contributed to create a perfect storm of lawlessness, poverty, and unfulfilled expectations which has now erupted into violence.
Institute calls for Expropriation Bill to be withdrawn - 15th May 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations today called on the government to withdraw the current Expropriation Bill (the bill) from Parliament and instead to bring the Expropriation Act of 1975 into line with the Constitution through two simple amendments to the existing statute.
Humanitarian aid appeal for Alexandra victims - 15th May 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations this afternoon urged South Africans to support the Department of Social Welfare and various aid organizations caring for victims of the Alexandra violence. The Institute made the call after visiting the violence ravaged township this morning and speaking to refugees as well as government and aid officials. The Institute said that it was shocked by the scale of the violence and the many families who had lost their homes and possessions. According to the Institute’s spokesperson on the Alexandra violence, Mapeete Mohale, aid workers were doing excellent work but needed support from South Africans.
Good time to reconsider ANC-Zanu (PF) kinship - 15th May 2008
John Kane-Berman says that the similarities between the ANC and Zanu (PF) should not be overlooked in explaining why the ANC has backed President Robert Mugabe for so long. This column appeared in Business Day on 15th May 2008.
Institute warns against mixed messages on Zimbabwe violence - 14th May 2008
In a press statement issued on Wednesday 14th May the Institute warned that, "if President Mbeki does not act on the reported violence happening in Zimbabwe, where he is chief mediator, the mobs in Alexandra are even less likely to take government officials seriously about not acting against Zimbabweans taking refuge in South Africa".
“Illegal” immigrants are a permanent feature of South Africa’s population - 13th May 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations has urged government to reconsider its policies on African immigrants following recent attacks on immigrants in Alexandra outside Johannesburg.
Policy changes necessary to boost economic growth – 8 May 2008
South Africa would not reach annual growth targets of between 6%-8% of GDP without structural changes to government policy the South African Institute of Race Relations said this morning. The Institute made this statement following an economic growth seminar hosted by the Institute in Johannesburg addressed by a panel of five of South Africa’s leading economists.
Safest province has the least police to population ratio - 24th April 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations released a report on Friday afternoon showing that the safest province in the country has the least favourable police to population ratio at 1:567, far lower than the national average of 1:361. The United Nations recommends a police to population ratio of 1:400. While South Africa meets this target nationally, only four of the nine provinces have a police to population ratio that meets the UN recommendation. They are the Northern Cape, the Western Cape, the Free State, and Gauteng at ratios of 1:208, 1:302, 1:331, and 1:377 respectively.
Least ownership rate but better quality housing in economic hubs - 24th April 2008
Most of the residents of the two provinces that were the biggest driving force behind South Africa’s economic performance, Gauteng and the Western Cape, rented rather than owned their properties. This was revealed in a report on the state of the provinces released by the South African Institute of Race Relations.
Three provinces drive economic growth in SA - 24th April 2008
All South Africa’s provinces showed healthy rates of economic growth, the South African Institute of Race Relations said, following the release of its annual review of the provinces. Each province’s economy, with the exception of the Northern Cape, grew by more than four percent in 2006, the latest available year for which information is available. Gauteng grew by an impressive 6% in 2006, good news for the country as a whole, as that province is the acknowledged “engine room” of the South African economy. Gauteng’s robust performance was also the highest economic growth by any province in 2006.
Unemployment still high across all provinces - 24th April 2008
South Africa’s unemployment decreased in 2007, in the country as a whole, and in most of the country’s provinces, with the exceptions of KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Using the strict measure of unemployment, and the expanded measurement, unemployment has fallen, the South African Institute of Race Relations’ annual survey of the provinces has showed. The expanded rate of unemployment takes into account discouraged workseekers, whereas the strict definition of unemployment does not. Discouraged workseekers are those who are willing to work, but have given up actively looking for employment. The inclusion of discouraged workseekers in employment surveys reveals a more comprehensive picture of the unemployment picture in the country.
Disparities in provincial healthcare still pronounced - 24th April 2008
The annual review of the provinces released today by the South African Institute of Race Relations has revealed vast disparities in the different provincial healthcare systems.
Institute warns on arms for Zimbabwe - 17th April 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations said this morning that it would be unconscionable for South Africa to allow an arms consignment through its borders en route to Zimbabwe.
South African Mirror - 9th April 2008
Presenting the Institute’s annual South African Mirror briefings in Cape Town and Johannesburg in March and April 2008, John Kane-Berman said that three key risks faced South Africa. The first was the economic risk of a growth slowdown of such magnitude that it could cause living standards to decline, which could lead to social instability. The second was the social risk of continuing failures in education, health care, land reform, and security. A point may be reached where these failures outweigh the successes made in these areas post 1994. The political risk identified was the Sovietisation of the state, which would undermine democracy and accountability, and foster corruption.
Government interventions on xenophobia anemic - Institute - 28th March 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations this morning criticised government’s handling of xenophobia in the country. According to the Institute xenophobia is an ongoing problem, which the government has only ever addressed in a very anemic sense. The recent xenophobic attacks in Brazzaville and other informal settlements west of Pretoria have again propelled the ill-treatment of foreign nationals by South African communities into the spotlight.
Institute hits at cricket bosses over transformation - 20th March 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations has criticised Cricket South Africa (CSA) for undermining black players in the national cricket team. The Institute said that recent events suggested that the quota system was alive and well at the highest levels of South African cricket.
Partnerships, investment, leadership necessary to boost excellence in school system - 14th March 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations has endorsed a call for partnerships, investment, and leadership to boost excellence in the public school system
South African schools most dangerous in the world – only 23% of pupils safe - 5th February 2008
South Africa’s schools are the most dangerous in the world, according to statistics published by the South African Institute of Race Relations. Today it called for urgent government intervention to halt a “growing pattern of violence and disorder” in South African schools.
Institute calls for civil and criminal penalties to be brought in Free State University race abuse case - 27th February 2008
The South African Institute of Race Relations this morning called for civil and criminal charges to be brought against students involved in the racist abuse of cleaning staff at the University of the Free State. The Institute also called on South Africa’s legal aid and advice centers to support the staff in possibly also bringing charges against the university and its management.
The Institute in the news February 11th to 17th February 2008
This is a summary of references to the Institute in the media between the 11th and 17th February 2008
The free fall of South Africa’s education system - 5th February 2008
Statistics published by the South African Institute of Race Relations reveal that the proportion of matric candidates who qualify for university study has declined by half since 1980.
Media Alert February 2008
Media Alerts are a free service introduced by the South African Institute of Race Relations to disseminate data and research on South Africa to as wide an audience as possible. This is done in the interests of promoting transparent and accountable governance. Members of the media are free to subscribe or unsubscribe to the service by emailing mmohale@sairr.org.za
Making the news: South Africa to World Cup fans: Enjoy, then go home! MSNsport 24th July 2009
MSNsport has reported that the SAIRR has said that South Africa, the strongest economy on the continent, has an estimated 3 million to 5 million undocumented African immigrants in a population of 47 million.
Making the news: Lack of values opens cultural vacuum, Mail and Guardian, 19th August 2009
The Mail and Guardian has reported on the SAIRR survey on the state of the South African family.
Making the news: SA 'racist video' trial postponed, BBC News, 19th August 2009
BBC News has reported that the SAIRR has expressed concerns that the video made by four white former students in South Africa, who allegedly forced black campus employees to eat urine-soaked food, could threaten general improvements in race relations since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Making the news: Institute gives Kriegler’s court action thumbs-up, The Citizen, 8th September 2009
The Citizen has reported that the Institute has come out in support of Freedom Under Law chairman Johann Kriegler’s court action against the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) decision on Cape Judge President John Hlophe.
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