SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

Aug

29

2024

Meet the new refreshed Volkswagen Polo Vivo

MOTORING

SINCE its market introduction in 2010, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo has been South Africa’s top selling passenger model with over 425 000 units sold across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Volkswagen has refreshed the Polo Vivo with the new front-end design, new infotainment, new seat trim design and enhanced safety features to continue its success in the South African and Sub-Saharan markets. Polo Vivo has firmly established itself as a leader in the entry-level hatch market in spite of new models being launched on a regular basis and with an even greater offering in the Polo Vivo, the new model…

Aug

29

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria has seen a lot of conflict over the years: resistance from minority groups is a strong driver

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

CONFLICT and tension in Nigeria are not new. Ever since independence in 1960, there have been conflicts over natural resources and political agitations. The country has also experienced a civil war, the Nigerian-Biafran war, and the 12 June 1993 presidential election was annulled – leading to a major political conflict. Peace and conflict studies expert Onyekachi Nnabuihe, in a recent paper, highlights the role of minority groups resisting different forms of domination. How serious are ethnic tension and conflict in Nigeria? Both are serious. Nigeria is a deeply divided state in which major political issues are contested along complex ethnic,…

Aug

28

2024

By MARTIN MAGIDI and TAVENGWA GWEKWERERE

Soccer betting is on the rise among young Zimbabweans – our study found it can serve a positive purpose

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

BETTING on soccer games is a popular pastime in many African countries. A 2024 report by GeoPoll found that 76.16% of respondents from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria had gambled or placed bets and that soccer was by far the most popular sport to bet on. Young men (aged 16 to 34) make up the bulk of soccer bettors in those countries. Much has been written about the negative aspects of sports betting, including the risk of gambling addiction and becoming involved in money laundering. But, as we show in recent research from Zimbabwe, there are perhaps…

Aug

27

2024

By NAMHLA LANDANI and ARTHUR KHOMOTSO MAHUMA

Maize prices in Kenya and Malawi have soared, but Tanzania’s haven’t: economists explain why

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

FOR more than a year maize prices in Kenya and Malawi have been much higher compared with other countries in the East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. Several factors explain this. In Malawi, high fertiliser prices which resulted in lower fertiliser usage affected maize supply. This was compounded by adverse weather and trade bans, leading to lower-than-usual production. In Kenya, high maize prices have been driven up by excessive margins. Sellers are charging prices that are more than the import parity price – the maize price from surplus-producing countries, plus transport costs for importing into Kenya. This is particularly concerning…

Aug

23

2024

By ANNA WEEKES

Drought is devastating southern Africa’s crops: why it’s happening and what can be learned

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTHERN Africa’s worst drought in years has destroyed crops of the staple food, maize, across the region. Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia have all been affected by the drought. Crop failures in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe – the largest maize producers in southern Africa – have destabilised food security in the whole region. The situation is escalating: the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has now announced that 68 million people need urgent food aid. The drought is driven by El Niño, an unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that shifts…

Aug

22

2024

By The African Mirror

Sierra Leone’s women farmers use a custom called bora to access land – but it’s making them more vulnerable

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

BORA – a type of thank you gift – is a Sierra Leonean custom of respect that is often used in relation to land. For instance, informal farmers pay bora to landowners to be able to farm on their land. But bora has changed over the years and is having a negative impact on women, who are responsible for much of the West African country’s farming. In Sierra Leone, land ownership – and therefore use of land for farming – vests in men. Women’s access to land for sustainable livelihoods is the subject of a PhD by land rights scholar…

Aug

21

2024

By The African Mirror

GWM takes luxury to the next level with new tank 500 HEV SUV

MOTORING

GWM South Africa proudly presents the all-new TANK 500 Hybrid SUV which offers a combination of elegance, advanced technology and exceptional off-road capability. This newest addition to the GWM line-up epitomises luxury, innovation and exceptional build quality. The TANK 500 is the latest in the series of the new GWM vehicles to be introduced in South Africa this year. As the flagship model, the TANK 500 stands as a true testament of the growth of GWM as a manufacturer of world class luxury vehicles. The TANK 500 HEV is a technological tour de force with advanced features aimed at enhancing…

Aug

21

2024

By The African Mirror

SA’s Festival of Motoring set to kick off Spring in Joburg with a “Celebration of Car Culture”

MOTORING NEWS

THE Festival of Motoring - powered by WesBank - is bringing a grand celebration of car culture from 30 August 30 to 1 September 2024, to the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The circuit is set to transform into a hub for motoring enthusiasts, promising a thrilling fusion of speed, innovation, and automotive excellence. Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, states: “The Festival of Motoring is the next level in motor show evolution; it is an immersive experience that engages attendees with the dynamic world of motoring. Whether a seasoned enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Festival…

Aug

20

2024

By OBI ANYADIKE

From ecocide to resource-stripping: War’s collateral damage on the planet

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

This story was originally published by The New Humanitarian. By Obi Anyadike THE death and destruction that conflicts cause are visible and immediate tragedies, but often overlooked are the long-term environmental consequences of that violence – insidious, poisonous legacies. Even before a shot is fired, standing armies are climate-hostile. Voraciously energy-hungry and wasteful, military establishments are believed to account for 5.5% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. The globe-spanning US Armed Forces, with their fleets of ships, tanks, and high-performance aircraft, are the world’s largest institutional users of petrol. As a result, their carbon footprint is greater than most countries,…

Aug

17

2024

By Jovial Rantao

Sudan’s catastrophe: farmers could offer quick post-war recovery, if peace is found

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

MORE than a year of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has weakened the country’s fragile economy. This is in addition to triggering a humanitarian crisis, loss of lives, property destruction and income disruptions. Even before the current conflict, Sudan ranked among the poorest countries in the world. The proportion of those without access to basic necessities such as education, healthcare and proper living conditions was estimated at 52.3% of the population. The economy heavily depends on agriculture. The sector’s productivity has been low because of traditional pastoral systems and limited mechanisation. The armed conflict has damaged infrastructure and disrupted agricultural services…