Africa’s Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa • By the early 1900s, 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. 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 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 o Leader works separate from legislature Presidential Representative Democratic Republic • Kenya became independent from Great Britain on December 12th, 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. • 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. The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, in Nairobi, houses a number of Kenya’s government offices. • 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 President • 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. • The Parliament of Kenya is the country’s bicameral legislature. • It consists of two houses—the Senate and the National Assembly. • Citizens are responsible for electing members for both houses. Inside Kenya’s Parliament • The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years. • The president works separately from Kenya’s Parliament. • 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 • 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 equally represented in Kenya’s government. Presidential Representative Democratic Republic • On October 1st, 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 • 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. The National Assembly building in Abuja is home to Nigeria’s legislature. • 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 world. Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria’s President • 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. • The Nigerian National Assembly is the country’s bicameral legislature. • It consists of two houses—the Senate and the House of Representatives. • Members of both houses are elected by Nigeria’s citizens. Inside Nigeria’s Parliament • The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years. • The president works separately from Nigeria’s National Assembly (legislature). • 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 • 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. • Became an independent nation in 1961. • 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. • 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 Assembly. Cyril Ramaphosa South Africa’s President • The parliament selects one of its members to be the president. • He or she serves a five-year term (no more than two terms). • The Parliament of South Africa is the country’s bicameral legislature. • It consists of two houses—the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. • Citizens elect members to the National Assembly, while lower provincial governments appoint officials to the National Council of Provinces. National Assembly Chamber • 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 • 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. • 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. • 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..