CLA News / Foreword from Annie Musonda Kawandami-Kamwendo, Africa Hub Newsletter Editor
In this exciting edition of the Africa Hub Newsletter, we are reminded once again that it is a gift to be alive and to be reading this. Many are the souls we have lost from the time the last edition was published. One such soul, the Late Sternford Moyo (MHSRIEP), is remembered in an article by his mentee, Tererai Mafukidze, who has described him as a Legal Giant who impacted many lives. We learn a crucial lesson from how he lived his life; boldness and hard work are key to success and ought to be embraced by everyone on our beloved continent.
To truly move forward successfully, diversity must be integrated at all levels from the Executive, Judiciary, Legislature, and even board rooms. Women should be included in decision-making for a broader outlook and wider impact. Victoria Barth shares some useful nuggets on what it will take for Women to continue winning on the inclusion path.
In a world where inequality is at an all-time high, it is essential to hone in on those vices that cause it to thrive such as corruption whose glaring effects make it a fight worth taking on both at the national and global levels. One of Zambia’s legal luminaries, Musa Mwenye (SC) offers a solution for corruption at the national level in the form of properly institutionalised declaration of assets for anyone taking up a public position, especially those in high public offices. As said by Edward Snowden, “There can be no faith in government if our highest offices are excused from scrutiny — they should be setting the example of transparency.”
The effects of corruption and lack of transparency can indeed be many and lead to mistrust from citizens who may take whatever steps necessary to get the change they desire as we saw from the Youth in Kenya who stopped at nothing to see that the Finance Bill 2024 was withdrawn. Faith Odihiambo, the Kenya Law Society President warns of the perils of overlooking certain constitutional requirements and underestimating the Youth in the fight for democratic values.
Lastly, we learn from Daniel Kip, founder of Maestro Touch, a virtual law firm, about the advantages of embracing AI technology in resolving arbitration disputes. He also offers practical solutions for its limitations. After all, AI is here to stay.
I sure did learn a lot from this edition of the Africa Hub Newsletter and I hope you do too.
Happy Reading!
Annie Musonda Kawandami-Kamwendo
