SADC Archives

CULTURE-SWAZILAND: Politics and Tradition Clash in Swaziland’s “Incwala”

Swaziland is currently in the midst of its sacred Incwala ceremony, which many believe is crucial for the welfare of the country. However, the celebrations have not been without controversy.

POLITICS-MALAWI: Voter Registration Dogged by Poor Planning and Apathy

By IPS Correspondents

With just under four months remaining before Malawi’s general elections, local activists and international observers have expressed concern at the lack-lustre response to voter registration efforts. The registration exercise has also prompted opposition parties to cry foul.

DEVELOPMENT-SOUTH AFRICA: Millions in Need of Food Aid

By Moyiga Nduru

The spectres of drought and malnutrition are stalking South Africa, where more than four million people require emergency food aid. Farmers' organisations estimate that the figure could rise to 15 million by June - this out of a population of roughly 44 million.

ECONOMY-ZIMBABWE: Debt Collectors Come Under Scrutiny

By IPS Correspondents

He could well be a lawyer, what with his reputation for having more to do with legal affairs than most people in that profession. In fact, many people in town think he is - a label that no doubt enhances his business profile.

EDUCATION-ZAMBIA: Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child?

By IPS Correspondents

Human rights activists in Zambia scored another victory recently when they got parliament to outlaw corporal punishment in the country.

ECONOMY-ZAMBIA: Business Closes its Eyes to the Dangers of AIDS

By IPS Correspondents

A report by international auditing company PricewaterhouseCoopers says Zambia's economy may lose about 50 million dollars annually if the current rate of HIV infection continues unchecked.

ENVIRONMENT-MALAWI: Chilis Prompt Elephants to Cool Their Heels

By IPS Correspondents

Elephants and humans have long found themselves at loggerheads in Africa, and Malawi is no exception to this trend.

ANGOLA: Wealth for Just a Few

By Mario de Queiroz

Corruption, a lack of transparency, a weak democracy and a population that barely scrapes by while watching the country's leaders get richer and richer - these are some of the things said to describe the Angola ruled by President José Eduardo dos Santos.

HEALTH-SWAZILAND: Prisons Break the Taboo Surrounding AIDS

By James Hall

2004 is shaping up as the year of prison reform in Swaziland, and AIDS is the catalyst.

CORRUPTION: Billions in Angolan Oil Money Missing – Report

By Emad Mekay

More than four billion dollars went missing from government coffers in oil-rich Angola from 1997-2002, says a leading human rights watchdog, pointing the finger at officials' wrongdoing.

CORRUPTION-MALAWI: ‘Fat Cats’ Still Bask in Glory

By IPS Correspondents

Corrupt 'fat cats' continue to walk around with their heads held high even though they have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

POLITICS-ZIMBABWE: Complex Race Relations as New Year Dawns

By IPS Correspondents

A glance around the Jock and Saddle pub gives a telling glimpse of the uneasy path that Zimbabweans are treading towards racial integration.

DEVELOPMENT-SWAZILAND: Drought Shows Weaknesses in Traditional Farming

By James Hall

Government officials in Swaziland have taken to calling the current drought in the kingdom "the worst in recorded history". But for Amos Mhlanga, a subsistence farmer near the southern border town of LaVumisa, the latest weather pattern is sadly familiar.

DEVELOPMENT-ZAMBIA: Nation Reaps Benefit from Zimbabwean Farmers

By IPS Correspondents

White Zimbabwean farmers who sought refuge in Zambia, have helped the country pull out of a crippling food shortage that saw millions of people relying on food aid last season.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Millet, Sorghum Could Hold the Key to Food Security

By IPS Correspondents

For many subsistence farmers in semi-arid regions of southern Africa, dependence on drought relief is tantamount to serving a death sentence.

POLITICS-ZIMBABWE: Gloomier Times Ahead

By IPS Correspondents

The future has never been as uncertain for Zimbabwe as it is now. Ever rising food prices, shortages of basic needs, strikes in vital public services and hate speeches have now become the way of life.

ECONOMY-ZAMBIA: Breweries Trying to Have Their Cake and Eat It?

By IPS Correspondents

As the festive season in Zambia heads towards its climax, Zambian Breweries - a leading beer producer - has adopted a self-regulatory code of conduct to encourage responsible alcohol consumption. However, various bar owners are already describing the code as wishful thinking.