SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

Nov

22

2023

South Africa’s police are losing the war on crime – here’s how they need to rethink their approach

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa’s crime statistics for the third quarter of 2023 show that people continue to face a serious problem of violent crime, especially murder and attempted murder. The country’s per capita murder rate for 2022/23 was the highest in 20 years at 45 per 100,000 (a 50% increase compared to 2012/13). GUY LAMB, Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University In response to this crisis, the South African Police Service has reconfigured its policing strategies and plans. Yet, these approaches offer very little innovation. They mostly reaffirm the way the police have typically pursued policing for the past three decades –…

Nov

21

2023

By BRIAN GANSON, ANNE SPENCER JAMISON and WITOLD JERZY HENISZ

Projects funded by the World Bank Group’s private sector arm fuel violent conflict – it’s time to reform the system

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

TO what extent does private investment help developing countries to reduce conflict and violence and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? This is a hotly debated issue. Most international institutions such as the World Bank Group take the stance that the problem is not enough private investment. So they mobilise public resources to subsidise and protect private sector actors with the goal of greatly increasing foreign direct investment. Meanwhile, community, labour and human rights advocates – particularly in fragile and conflict-affected countries – tend instead to see the dominant patterns of foreign direct investment as part of a continuing history…

Nov

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Empowering South Africa’s youth book by book

MOTORING NEWS

IN keeping with the spirit of uplifting communities in need, Renault South Africa, in partnership with the Imperial & Motus Community Trust, has donated a brand-new library and resource centre to the Khauhelo Primary School in Naledi, Soweto. This library, like three similar facilities donated earlier this year, is intended to promote literacy and encourage a love of learning right from the primary stage of education. The library donations by Renault, have been specially designed for use in junior schools located in underprivileged areas. “We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate and empower our youth than by supporting…

Nov

15

2023

By The African Mirror

As it turns 100, Ford reveals new products to expand model range in South Africa

MOTORING

FROM the Model T to the Mustang Mach-E, innovation, reimagination and reinvention define Ford’s commitment to creating the most desirable products and services globally. “For 100 years, Ford South Africa has been bringing customers must-have products. We’ve gone beyond just helping people meet their basic transport needs to helping them fulfil their aspirations and dreams,” says Kay Hart, president, Ford International Markets Group. Ford has manufactured and sold a vast range of trend-setting cars that have shaped the local motor industry and popular culture over the past 10 decades, including the likes of the Fairlane, Anglia, Granada, Capri, Escort, Bantam…

Nov

09

2023

By The African Mirror

World Bank suspension of Uganda funds over anti-homosexuality law: what this says about the struggle over funds and sovereignty

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, EDITORS CHOICE

THE World Bank issued a statement on 8 August 2023, announcing that it had effectively suspended all new public financing to Uganda over concerns with the country’s anti-homosexuality law, which “fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values”. According to Human Rights Watch, the anti-homosexuality act violates multiple fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution and a number of international human rights agreements which the government of Uganda has signed. The act was first proposed in March 2023, and adopted by the Ugandan parliament in early May. JON HARALD SANDE LIE, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs The World Bank, and…

Nov

01

2023

By The African Mirror

ISUZU drives South Africa’s women’s hockey team in their pursuit of Olympic dream

MOTORING NEWS

ISUZU Motors South Africa has entered into a partnership with the South African Women's Hockey Team as they gear up for the African Hockey Road-to-Paris 2024 Tournament. The highly anticipated tournament, which will be hosted in Pretoria from October 29th to November 5th, will serve as the African Olympic qualifying tournament, and the SA Women's Hockey Team is determined to secure their place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ISUZU Motors South Africa Marketing Executive, Ziphindiwe Ngcobo, says, "We are thrilled to support the South African Women's Hockey Team on their journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Their dedication and core…

Oct

31

2023

By The African Mirror

Agoa trade deal talks: South Africa will need to carefully manage relations with the US and China

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa must tread carefully in its economic relationships to avoid being caught in the escalating tension between East and West, and more specifically China and the US. The country’s hosting, and the outcome, of the 2023 Agoa Summit should strengthen its role in diplomatic relations and contribute towards safeguarding the country’s economic interests. ARNO J. VAN NIEKERK, Senior lecturer in Economics, University of the Free State From 2-4 November 2023, the US and 35 sub-Saharan African countries will meet in Johannesburg for the 20th Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (Agoa Forum). It entails strengthening trade and investment ties…

Oct

28

2023

By The African Mirror

The thorny issue of ‘race’ in South African politics: why it endures almost 30 years after apartheid ended

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

“RACE” continues to have much political salience in South Africa, a country where, in the past, perceived differences of skin colour were used to construct a hierarchy of “races”, with whites at the top, to justify their political economic domination. The move to constitutional democracy in 1994 committed the country to non-racialism. However, almost three decades after the end of apartheid, politicians of different stripes continue to use “race” as a wedge issue to mobilise support. ROGER SOUTHALL, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand The question is why. Two answers stand out. The first is that racial oppression has…

Oct

20

2023

By The African Mirror

Bird flu in South Africa: expert explains what’s behind the chicken crisis and what must be done about it

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

AN outbreak of avian flu – a highly contagious viral infection that affects wild birds as well as poultry – has hit poultry farms in South Africa. Two different strains are causing outbreaks in the country – A(H5N1) and influenza A(H7N6). A specialist in poultry health, Shahn Bisschop, answers some questions put to him by The Conversation Africa. SHAHN BISSCHOP, Senior lecturer, specialist poultry veterinarian, University of Pretoria What strain has broken out in South Africa? The outbreak caused by a highly pathogenic (HPAI) strain of H7N6 avian influenza is causing the most concern at present. The strain was first…

Oct

09

2023

By The African Mirror

Mitsubishi South Africa launches GLX double cab

MOTORING

Local is lekker for Mitsubishi South Africa as it launches new GLX double cab model.Throughout the lifespan of the current Triton, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has continued to offer models that cater for the exacting needs of South African customers. This has resulted in a variety of locally developed special edition models including the Triton Xtreme in 2020 and the launch of the Triton GL single and double cab derivatives and the Triton Heritage Edition in 2022. The Triton Xtreme was shown earlier this year at Nampo and just recently the café racer inspired Triton Athlete hit the road in…