SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

May

20

2024

By LOUISE DU TOIT, BREWSTERS CAIPHAS SOYAPI and LOUIS KOTZÉ

South African communities vs Shell: high court victories show that cultural beliefs and practices count in climate cases

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, EDITORS CHOICE

WHEN the Shell Petroleum Company announced in 2021 that it wanted to explore fossil fuels off South Africa’s pristine Wild Coast, Indigenous communities in the area immediately fought back through the country’s courts. In two separate cases, the communities successfully challenged Shell. They won both cases, winning an interim interdict to put Shell’s exploration on hold and having the company’s exploration right set aside. Shell is appealing the second ruling on several, largely procedural, grounds; that process got underway in the Supreme Court of Appeal on 17 May this year. If the Supreme Court of Appeal upholds the High Court’s…

May

21

2024

By KERSTIN BREE CARLSON

Rwanda’s role in eastern DRC conflict: why international law is failing to end the fighting

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE power of international law lies in its potential to offer alternatives to force and violence. The ideal is that states submit their grievances to a court rather than duke them out on a battlefield, or carry them out against civilians. As concerns armed violence, there are two international courts that countries can engage in. The first is the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It is the world’s oldest international court, with jurisprudential roots that reach back to the 19th century. The ICJ applies international law, the law of treaties, to states. It operates based on state consent – when…

May

18

2024

By STEPHEN MUTIE

TikTok in Kenya: the government wants to restrict it, but my study shows it can be useful and empowering

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

EVERY day, 750 million people around the world engage with TikTok – the short-video sharing app. Kenyans are among its top users. According to a Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2023, 54% of Kenyans sampled used TikTok for general purposes, the highest proportion among the countries in the survey. They also use TikTok to express themselves and connect with others. The app, launched in 2018, has become an integral part of social media culture, offering a space for creativity, entertainment and community interaction. It’s particularly known for its memetic videos, which often feature lip-syncing, dance routines and comedic skits. But…

May

16

2024

By DION FORSTER

Christianity is changing in South Africa as Pentecostal and indigenous churches grow – what’s behind the trend

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

STUDIES show that South Africa is one of only three countries in the world where religious participation has increased in recent years. The other two countries are Italy and the US. The 2022 Census data show that South Africa’s Christian adherence has once again increased. However, the kinds of Christianity that are growing, and those that are declining, tell us some interesting things about the religious, cultural, social and political sentiments of South Africans. Only 2.9% of the population claimed to have no religious views at all – this means that 96.1% of South Africans profess or practise some form…

May

16

2024

By The African Mirror

VW Polo sedan model range extended with the addition of the fuel efficient TSI engine

MOTORING

VOLKSWAGEN Polo - one of the most popular vehicles in South Africa - has a new edition to its sedan range. The VW Polo Sedan model range has been expanded with the addition of the 85kW 1.0 TSI engine. The new engine will be offered with the Life and Style derivatives. The Polo Sedan Life comes standard with keyless entry and start, rear view camera, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless mobile charging, wireless App-Connect, power adjustable and folding exterior mirrors, climatronic air conditioning, ambient lighting, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, front fog lamps and cornering lights, a chrome package and 16-inch…

May

14

2024

By FRANS VILJOEN

Zimbabwe’s likely to abolish the death penalty: how it got here and what it means for the continent

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

ZIMBABWE is likely to abolish capital punishment, following a cabinet decision on 7 February 2024. However, its parliament still has to endorse the move and pass the necessary law enabling the change. The question is when this will happen, especially since it appears that it would require a constitutional amendment. When this happens, Zimbabwe will not only draw a line under a long-standing colonial legal import but also bolster continental and regional trends towards abolition. It will also provide certainty to – and spare the lives of – the 62 prisoners currently on death row. The change was initiated by…

May

11

2024

By SOPHIE DOUCE

In post-coup Niger, migration becomes legal again

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, EDITORS CHOICE

SINCE deposing the elected government last July, Niger’s ruling military government has shaken up the country’s relationship with its one-time Western partners. In rapid succession, the new government expelled French soldiers from the country repealed a 2015 law that had been a cornerstone of EU efforts to curb migration and then cancelled two EU missions working with Nigerien security forces on a number of issues, including fighting jihadist militants and stopping the movement of people from West Africa toward Europe. Now, Niger’s ruling junta has revoked a military cooperation agreement with the United States, potentially forcing around 1,000 US troops to leave the country. The move further entrenches…

May

10

2024

By The African Mirror

Ford Goes to the Movies – Iconic On-screen Moments over the Past 100 Years

MOTORING NEWS

STUART JOHNSON COMPILING a bucket list of great movies which featured the products of the Ford Motor Company is more a case of the ones that you’d need to leave out, rather than cherry-picking the celluloid masterpieces which had a Ford deserving of at least a co-starring credit. It seems as if there have always been Fords in movies! Just as the fledgling Ford South Africa production line was cranking up to full speed in Port Elizabeth 100 years ago, that great comedy duo Laurel and Hardy were gaining traction in Hollywood with a string of hits that featured, more…

May

10

2024

By BEDASSA TADESSE

US-Africa trade deal turns 25 next year: Agoa’s winners, losers and what should come next

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) is a landmark piece of trade legislation enacted by the United States in 2000. Its goal is to promote economic growth, development and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa by providing qualifying countries with duty-free access to the US market for over 6,500 products. By eliminating import tariffs and quotas, Agoa aims to stimulate trade, attract foreign investment and foster economic integration between the US and African nations. Agoa has made strides in boosting exports from eligible African countries to the US. Between 2001 and 2021, the annual value of US imports from Agoa-eligible…

May

13

2024

By The African Mirror

Family-Friendly Ford Territory takes on new and familiar roads

MOTORING

THE new Ford Territory marks the brand's highly-anticipated return to the five-seater small Sport Utility Vehicle segment, offering a blend of style and substance perfect for families who value space, comfort, and safety on their travels, whether on familiar roads in the city, or exploring new landscapes. Designed with Ford’s ‘Progressive Energy in Strength’ philosophy, the Territory exudes a commanding presence on the road. Its contemporary design features innovative LED lighting technology, including distinctive headlamps and 3D taillights, adding to its unique identity. “The Territory is an exciting addition to our South African line-up, with a modern design and advanced…