Ernst Calitz

Cape Town

Journalist at Freelance

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Articles

Starved for education – hunger crisis grips South African university campuses

Mar 8, 2025 | dailymaverick.co.za | Takudzwa Pongweni |Ernst Calitz |Estelle Ellis

STUDENT FOOD INSECURITY In South Africa, food insecurity rates among university students range from 11% to 38.3%. With food prices soaring and allowances failing to keep up, thousands of students are missing meals and struggling to study on empty stomachs. In the coming weeks, thousands of university students will walk across a stage, proudly accepting their degrees and diplomas. For many, this achievement will be marred by a struggle with hunger.
Campus security threatens UCT students as Wits students continue hunger strike amid accommodation and fee exclusion protests

Feb 20, 2025 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz |Takudzwa Pongweni

CAMPUS CLASHES More than 80 students at UCT are living in campus offices without proper facilities, while Wits students continue their hunger strike in protest of being excluded from registration due to historical debt. Both universities face mounting pressure as students demand immediate action to address these crises.
UCT students mobilise against fee block

Feb 17, 2025 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz |Takudzwa Pongweni

CAMPUS DISRUPTIONS The first day of the new academic year at the University of Cape Town started off with students shutting down all campus activities in protest against fee blocks and access to student housing. The University of Cape Town (UCT) is facing escalating unrest as students protest against fee blocks and housing shortages, signalling a turbulent start to the 2025 academic year.
Namibian polls challenge could be put on ice until Supreme Court decision

Jan 19, 2025 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

DISPUTED POLLS The Independent Patriots for Change party is arguing that the proclamation by Namibia’s outgoing president, Nangolo Mbumba, to extend the presidential and National Assembly elections last year was unlawful.
Legal storm brews in Namibia as election results come under scrutiny

Jan 14, 2025 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

'INVALID OUTCOME' Namibia’s new official opposition party the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), with the support of other parties, is taking the country’s electoral commission to court on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, challenging the results of the country’s controversial elections. The IPC vowed to take the electoral commission to court over the controversial election and has followed through on its promise.
Namibia has its first female president — what now?

Dec 4, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

HISTORIC ELECTIONS Namibia has elected its first woman president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the ruling Swapo party’s candidate, amid widespread controversy. Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections this year have been historic on many fronts. They were the country’s most controversial elections, with accusations of foreign interference and election rigging at the forefront; while the country’s first female president was elected.
Opposition parties reject outcome of Namibia’s polls and head to court

Dec 2, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

POLL CHALLENGE Multiple opposition parties say they will reject the outcome of Namibia’s elections, claiming the Electoral Commission of Namibia’s failures led to voter suppression. Namibia’s presidential and National Assembly elections are shaping up to be the country’s most controversial and contentious elections to date. Political parties and leaders have shared their concerns that the elections were not “free and fair”.
Voting day extension for Namibia’s election

Nov 28, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

VOTING EXTENDED Namibia’s electoral commission has extended the country’s elections until Saturday to relieve pressure that resulted from technical difficulties, ballot shortages and ‘human error’. But the move is being deemed as unlawful, and political parties are calling for immediate action. The Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) announced that selected polling stations will remain operational between 7am to 9pm on Friday 29 November and Saturday 30 November 2024.
Technical failures and ballot shortages spark outrage among voters and parties

Nov 28, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

HEATING UP The elections in Namibia on Wednesday have left many feeling angry and distrustful because of long queues, missing ballots and possible legal action. This has led to some opposition parties already threatening to not accept the outcome of the poll. They were billed as Namibia’s most contentious elections to date, with more than 1.4 million Namibians registering to vote – and they are living up to expectations.
Namibia votes in what looks to be its most contested election

Nov 27, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Ernst Calitz

NAMIBIAN ELECTIONS More than 1.4 million Namibians were registered to vote in the country’s seventh presidential and 8th National Assembly elections on Wednesday. Those at the polls endured scorching heat and long queues. The final results are expected to be released on Thursday, 28 November 2024. Don't want to see this? Remove ads