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Apr
24
2025
By EMMANUEL KWESI ANING and JESPER BJARNESEN
West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an ECOWAS report card

West Africa’s bold trade experiment turns 50: an ECOWAS report card

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS
THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to mark 50 years in May 2025. It was established in 1975 by 16 member states. Though seven of the founding leaders had ascended to power through coups d’état, the initial focus was economic growth and regional trade and cooperation. Within three years, however, its mandates were expanded to encompass political, security and other objectives. These additions were necessary as the West African post-independence governments sought to respond to shifting socio-economic and security challenges. These included coup d’états in Niger, Nigeria, Ghana and Mauritania. There were also other threats to…
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Apr
23
2025
By The African Mirror
The Giulietta Revolution: 70 Years of Alfa Romeo magic

The Giulietta Revolution: 70 Years of Alfa Romeo magic

MOTORING
ON a pivotal spring day in 1955, the automotive world witnessed the birth of a legend. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Berlina wasn't just another car launching at the Turin Motor Show - it was the embodiment of Italy's post-war renaissance, a gleaming symbol of hope and progress wrapped in an irresistible package of style and performance. "The Giulietta Berlina brought Alfa Romeo's sporty DNA to the everyday lives of Italians, bringing fine engineering and aspirations within the reach of an emerging middle class," reflects Roberto Giolito, Head of Heritage Stellantis. "This model was able to blend the prestige of the…
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Apr
23
2025
By Jovial Rantao
New Chinese SUV brand makes South African debut with urban-adventure crossovers

New Chinese SUV brand makes South African debut with urban-adventure crossovers

MOTORING NEWS
JETOUR has officially entered the competitive South African SUV market with the launch of two versatile models designed to capitalize on the nation's growing preference for crossover vehicles. The Chinese automaker introduced its Dashing and X70 Plus models to South African consumers amid a broader market trend that saw SUVs and crossovers claim nearly half of all passenger vehicle sales in 2024, despite an overall decline in new vehicle purchases nationwide. The Jetour Dashing, a five-seater SUV, features a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine generating 115 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. Equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel…
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Apr
23
2025
By FERNANDA PEÑALOZA
To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires

To truly understand Pope Francis’ theology – and impact – you need to look to his life in Buenos Aires

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, EDITORS CHOICE
POPE Francis’ journey from the streets of Flores, a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to the Vatican is a remarkable tale. Born in 1936, Jorge Bergoglio was raised in a middle-class family of Italian Catholic immigrants. Bergoglio defied his mother’s wish for him to become a medical doctor and chose instead to pursue the priesthood, a calling he felt during confession. The young man joined the Jesuits in the 1950s, attracted to the order’s vow of poverty and its ethos of serving others and living simply. He became a priest in 1969, Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, and took…
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Apr
22
2025
By The African Mirror
Political rivalry reshapes DRC’s future: the Tshisekedi-Kabila saga continues

Political rivalry reshapes DRC’s future: the Tshisekedi-Kabila saga continues

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS
A Dynasty of Division: The Inherited Rivalry THE 2025 crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo represents the latest chapter in a political rivalry that spans generations. The tension between Félix Tshisekedi and Joseph Kabila is not merely a contemporary political contest but an inheritance of their fathers' complicated relationship. Étienne Tshisekedi, a longtime opposition leader, stood against Mobutu Sese Seko and later Laurent-Désiré Kabila, who seized power in 1997 after overthrowing Mobutu. When Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated in 2001, his son Joseph inherited power at just 29 years old, establishing the first political dynasty in the DRC's post-independence era.…
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Apr
12
2025
By Jovial Rantao
The Road Less Crowded: A Family’s Journey in the Jetour X70 Plus

The Road Less Crowded: A Family’s Journey in the Jetour X70 Plus

MOTORING
THE summer sun peeked through the curtains as the Mokoena family bustled around their home. It was the first day of their long-awaited holiday road trip to the coast, a journey of almost 800 kilometers that would have seemed daunting in their old sedan. But this year was different. "Dad, I've packed my boogie board!" shouted eight-year-old Thabo, dragging a bag almost as big as himself toward the front door. Daniel Mokoena smiled, remembering the cramped trips of years past—the constant chorus of "He's touching me!" and "I don't have enough space!" from the back seat, the tetris-like challenge of…
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Apr
12
2025
By Jovial Rantao
Stellantis Partners with SOS Children’s Villages to combat youth unemployment in South Africa

Stellantis Partners with SOS Children’s Villages to combat youth unemployment in South Africa

MOTORING NEWS
AUTOMOTIVE manufacturing giant Stellantis has launched a major initiative with SOS Children's Villages to address South Africa's growing youth unemployment crisis by providing 800 young people with driver's license training and certification. The partnership comes as South Africa's youth unemployment rate has reached 50.47%, its highest level in recent history. The program aims to enhance employability by removing a significant barrier to job entry in multiple sectors. "The initiative aligns with our commitment to driving positive change in the communities in which we operate," said Stellantis Managing Director, Mike Whitfield. "By equipping youth with a skill that increases their employability,…
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Apr
12
2025
By CARINA SCHLEBUSCH; CESAR FORTES-LIMA and VIKTOR CERNÝ
Fulani: new study unravels the genetic history of Africa’s largest pastoralist community

Fulani: new study unravels the genetic history of Africa’s largest pastoralist community

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS
THE Fulani people are Africa’s largest pastoralist group. There are between 25 million and 40 million Fulani people across 17 African countries, from the Atlantic shores of Senegal and Mauritania to Sudan. The Fulani have long intrigued social anthropologists with their complex cultural heritage. They raise mainly cattle, goats and sheep in the vast, arid Sahel region. Some are nomadic but many have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. In the wide geographical belt where they live, they speak 11 dialects. The Fulani’s origins and migratory patterns have been subjects of scientific debates. Certain physical characteristics are similar to those commonly observed…
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Apr
11
2025
By DELIA GRACE; HUNG NGUYEN-VIET and STEVE STAAL
Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade

Wild meat is eaten by millions, but puts billions at risk – how to manage the trade

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS
ONE of the most pressing issues of our time is the wild meat trade. Why? Because it’s consumed by millions and puts billions at risk from emerging diseases. It provides food and income for some of the poorest and most remote communities in Africa and Asia, yet over-exploitation makes ecosystems unstable and threatens the destruction of endangered species. In Africa, wild meat hunting is driven mostly by protein and meat scarcity (“the poor man’s meat”). In some regions, like East and Southeast Asia, it can be found in restaurants, offered as high-priced exotic delicacies (“the rich man’s status”). But consuming…
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