1. Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa
Africa’s
Governments
Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa
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2. Republic of
Kenya
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3. Background
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.
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4. Jomo Kenyatta served as Kenya’s president from 1964 to 1978.
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5. 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.
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6. The Kenyatta International Conference Centre, in Nairobi, is home to Kenya’s government.
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7. Presidential Democracy
The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years.
The president works separately from Kenya’s Parliament.
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8. Executive Branch
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.
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9. Uhuru Kenyatta
Kenya’s 4th President
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10. 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.
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11. Legislature
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.
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12. Inside Kenya’s Parliament
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13. 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.
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14. Voting in Kenya – March 2013
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15. 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 equally represented in Kenya’s government.
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16. Republic of
Nigeria
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17. Background
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.
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18. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the first Nigerian-elected prime minister
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19. Presidential Democracy
The citizens directly elect the president every 5 years.
The president works separately from Nigeria’s National Assembly (legislature).
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20. Executive Branch
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.
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21. Muhammadu Buhari
Nigeria’s President
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22. 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.
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23. The National Assembly building in Abuja is home to Nigeria’s legislature.
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24. Legislature
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.
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25. Inside Nigeria’s Parliament
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26. 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.
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27. Voting in Nigeria
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28. 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.
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29. The 2015 presidential election was free, fair, and well-conducted.
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30. Republic of South Africa
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31. 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.
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32. The Houses of Parliament, in Cape Town, is home to South Africa’s government.
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33. 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!
Parliamentary Democracy – legislature chooses the executive leader
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34. Executive Branch
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.
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35. South Africa’s President
Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa’s President
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36. 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).
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37. Legislature
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.
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38. National Assembly Chamber
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39. 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.
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40. 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.
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41. Flaws
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.
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