The election campaign for the fourth democratically elected Government and Parliament of the Republic of South Africa has been one of the most expensive in our history. As our political parties spawn new market entrants into the party political space and others grow and consolidate their financial needs magnify accordingly. In terms of existing laws and regulations, particularly the fund established in accordance with the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Fund Act.
 

South Africa’s economic policy landscape has experienced one global financial crisis before. It emanated from Asia in the early 1990s, uncomfortably coinciding with our country’s transition to democracy at a time when a new administration had to win the hearts and minds, and confidence, of the global economy and international investors. The response to this crisis, the fiscal austerity of the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Strategy (GEAR) adopted by the South African government in 1996, was, and remains, a controversial policy response. It caused significant strain within the tripartite alliance, despite there clearly being very little domestic policy room amid a deepening crisis that engulfed all emerging markets and confronted a new government with no economic-policy
track record with immediate and complex questions.

This edition of FOCUS marks a solemn and sad event – the passing of our beloved Patron-in-Chief Helen Suzman. It is a moment of bereavement we wish to mark by publishing a special Helen Suzman Tribute edition as a fitting honour to a life well-lived with a sound moral compass.

The longevity of founding documents, declarations and constitutions are the preserve of all citizens who care about the ethos that inspires the societies they inhabit, and it lies in a complex process of internalising the visionary values of these social contracts and acting, and structuring our actions and our words, every day, to further the ideals espoused in them.

Helen Suzman Memorial

1 March 2009

4pm

Wits Great Hall

Please RSVP to Tebogo: Tel: 011 646 0150 Email: Tebogo@hsf.org.za

The Helen Suzman Foundation is deeply saddened at the loss of our Patron-in-chief Dame Helen Suzman and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time of personal loss and grief.

We extend our deepest condolences to them.

Helen's life deeply touched those whom she came into contact with in both the public and private sphere. Those who knew her will attest to her sparkling yet resolute nature and deep commitment to and love for the causes of justice, human rights and peace.

The Helen Suzman Foundation seeks to promote constitutional liberal democracy and human rights. As an active member of South African civil society, The Helen Suzman Foundation contributes to debates on contemporary events and institutional challenges that form part of efforts to consolidate democracy.

The Helen Suzman Foundation and Gordon Institute of Business Science held a thought-provoking Conference where we probed how we can continue our country’s growth trajectory amidst global turmoil and local challenges.

With ‘recalls’ and care-taker governance, concerns about our Constitution were at the heart of deliberations at the recently held National Convention in November and is a key driving force behind the formation of COPE. These questions form an interesting back-drop to how the question of the Constitution has become central in our political discourse. 

South Africa is rapidly approaching its fourth democratic poll and there is a tangible and undeniable Obama-esque sense of change in the air. Voters registered in record numbers during the Independent Electoral Commission’s first bout of voter registration in November. One could almost hear the silent chants of ‘Yes we can!’ echo through the very firmament of our democracy as younger generations of voters lined up, free of the demons of the past.