Africas Governments Kenya Nigeria and South Africa Africa

Africa’s Governments Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa

Africa • By the early 1900 s, European nations had colonized nearly all of Africa. • African people had little say in the laws that were made under European rule. • Today, there are more than 50 independent African nations. • Some of these countries have established democracies, while others are suppressed by autocracies.

Let’s Review Government TYPES– HOW DO CITIZENS PARTICIPATE? • Autocracy-- 1 person possesses unlimited power & citizens have limited role in government • Democracy--supreme power is vested in the people & exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation involving free elections

Let’s Review TWO TYPES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS: • Parliamentary– citizens elect members of Parliament, and then the members select the leader o Leader works with or through the legislature • Presidential--system of government in which the leader is constitutionally independent of the legislature; citizens directly elect leader

Republic of Kenya Presidential Representative Democratic Republic

Background • Kenya became independent from Great Britain on December 12 th, 1963 under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta. • Kenya has recently experienced many changes in its government. • The new constitution (2010) introduced significant legislative changes, such as a new bicameral legislature, the abolishment of the prime minister, and having female representation from each of Kenya’s 47 counties.

Jomo Kenyatta served as Kenya’s president from 1964 to 1978.

Background • The constitution also promises to reduce corruption in the government and to provide better protection of citizens’ rights. • Kenya is currently a democratic republic with an elected president and a bicameral legislature. Bicameral means two “houses” or groups, like we have in the United States (House of Representatives and the Senate).

The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, in Nairobi, is home to Kenya’s government.

Leadership • Kenya’s president acts as both chief executive and head of state. • As the chief executive, Kenya’s president holds a lot of power and is involved in the day-to-day business of running the country. • As the head of state, the president attends Kenya’s ceremonies and meets with leaders from all around the world.

Uhuru Kenyatta Kenya’s 4 th President

How Leaders Are Chosen • The president is directly elected by a popular vote from the people. • He or she serves a five-year term and is eligible for a second term if elected. • Citizens also elect members of Parliament.

Inside Kenya’s Parliament

Presidential Democracy • The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years. • The president works separately from Kenya’s Parliament.

Role of the Citizen • Citizens must be 18 to vote, but voting is not required by law. • As a democracy, its citizens can participate in voting and elections. • The citizens vote for the president, as well as for members of the parliament.

Voting in Kenya – March 2013

Flaws • Even though Kenya is a democracy, the citizens do not have too much say in the government. • Much of the decision-making process is made by the president and his party. • Freedoms are written into the constitution, but government is dominated by the president. • Corruption has also been a major problem as many politicians take bribes. • Also, because many African cultures view politics as a male occupation, women are not

Republic of Nigeria Presidential Representative Democratic Republic

Background • On October 1 st, 1960, Great Britain granted Nigeria independence under the leadership of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Nigerian-elected prime minister. • At first, Nigeria was one of the more stable governments in Africa. • Nigeria suffered from violence and military rule from 1966 until 1999, when a democratic government was finally established.

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Nigerian-elected prime minister

Background • The constitution also promises to reduce corruption in the government and to provide better protection of citizens’ rights. • Kenya is currently a democratic republic with an elected president and a bicameral (two house) legislature.

The National Assembly building in Abuja is home to Nigeria’s legislature.

Leadership • Nigeria’s president acts as both chief executive and head of state. • As the chief executive, Nigeria’s president holds a lot of power and is involved in the day-to-day business of running the country. • As the head of state, the president attends Nigeria’s ceremonies and meets with leaders from all around the

Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria’s President

How Leaders Are Chosen • Nigeria’s president is directly elected by a popular vote from the people. • He or she serves a five-year term and is eligible for a second term if elected. • Citizens also elect members of the legislature.

Inside Nigeria’s Parliament

Presidential Democracy • The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years. • The president works separately from Nigeria’s National Assembly (legislature).

Role of the Citizen • Citizens must be 18 to vote, but voting is not required by law. • As a democracy, its citizens can participate in voting and elections. • The citizens vote for the president, as well as for members of the legislature.

Voting in Nigeria - 2015

Flaws • Nigeria is a democratic country, but it still has its flaws. • Corruption has been a major issue in Nigeria, as politicians have taken bribes and abused their power to gain personal wealth. • Elections have been afflicted with fraud and unequal voting rights. • Citizens cannot always rely on the courts to protect their rights and freedoms. • Women are not equally represented in the government.

The 2015 presidential election was free, fair, and well-conducted.

Republic of South Africa

Background • South Africa became independent from Great Britain in 1910. • Until 1994, South Africa had an oligarchy that was controlled by the white leaders of Apartheid. • Today, the racially segregated government has ended and South Africa is a democracy.

The Houses of Parliament, in Cape Town, is home to South Africa’s government.

Leadership • The president is the chief executive who holds the most political power. • He or she is the head of government and head of state. • He or she is the leader of the party with the most seats in National

Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa’s President

How Leaders Are Chosen • The parliament selects one of its members to be the president. • He or she serves a five-year term (no more than two terms).

National Assembly Chamber

Parliamentary Democracy • The political party with the most members in the National Assembly selects the President. • This is the major difference between a Presidential Democracy and a Parliamentary Democracy! o Parliamentary Democracy – legislature chooses the executive leader

Role of the Citizen • Citizens must be 18 to vote, but voting is not required by law. • As a democracy, its citizens can participate in voting and elections. • The citizens vote for members of the National Assembly (parliament), who then elects the president.

Role of the Citizen • Compared to Nigeria and Kenya, South Africa’s democracy is much stronger. • Elections are fair and the Constitution protects citizens’ rights and freedoms. • People can participate in South Africa’s government by voting for representatives, expressing their opinions on issues, and running for office.

Personal freedoms are more numerous in South Africa since Apartheid (legal separation of the races) has ended. Flaws • Unfortunately, even though Apartheid has ended, much of South Africa’s wealth does not reach the black population. • This has caused a very low standard of living among half of the country’s population.