SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

Jun

22

2023

Ugandan church waged rebellion against tradition – today’s homophobic views are at odds with history

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

ON 26 May Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni assented to the “anti-homosexuality bill” of 2023. The bill’s aim is to protect the “cherished culture of the people of Uganda, (and the) legal, religious, and traditional family values of Ugandans”. In the name of family values the law punishes “serial offenders” with the death penalty. Author DEREK R. PETERSON, Professor of History and African Studies, University of Michigan The Church of Uganda’s archbishop, Stephen Kaziimba, has supported the bill, and when it was signed he expressed his church’s gratitude to the president. Anita Among, the speaker of parliament, celebrated the new law’s…

Jun

20

2023

By The African Mirror

Gold fraud: the Goldenberg scam that cost Kenya billions of dollars in the 1990s – and no one was jailed

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE Goldenberg scandal in the early 1990s is Kenya’s largest documented gold fraud. The scheme involved Goldenberg International Limited, which pretended to export gold and diamonds, and in exchange received substantial subsidies from the government for “earning” foreign exchange. Kenyan businessman Kamlesh Pattni – who was at the centre of the scandal and was charged with fraud but eventually acquitted – was recently named in a new investigation into gold fraud. This time his operation is allegedly being run through Zimbabwe from his base in Dubai. Economists Roman Grynberg and Fwasa Singogo, who have researched the Goldenberg case, and the…

Jun

09

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s power crisis will continue until 2025 – and blackouts will take 5 years to phase out

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa is in the middle of a severe electricity crisis, with enforced power cuts that have worsened every year. Electricity is sometimes unavailable for 10 hours a day. The shortfall is the consequence of frequent breakdowns at its ageing coal power plants, which constitute 74% of the country’s generating capacity. In theory, improving the performance and reliability of the existing coal plants would resolve the power crisis. This remedy is promoted in some quarters. But it’s easier said than done. To function satisfactorily, many of the plants would require a complete overhaul, which would be both time-consuming and prohibitively…

Jun

13

2023

By The African Mirror

China’s population grew older and richer: policy lessons for some African countries

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

FOR decades China was the world’s most populous country. But that’s changed. Its population has peaked, and is now falling. The country has achieved high levels of economic growth for four decades, reducing poverty and raising per capita incomes. Between 1978 and 2018 China’s economy grew by an average of 9.8 per cent per annum. Today it is the second biggest economy in the world after the US. Author LAUREN JOHNSTON, Senior Researcher, South African Institute of International Affairs and Associate Professor at the China Studies Centre, University of Sydney China’s demographic profile has played a key role in its…

Jun

06

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s power blackouts: solutions lie in solar farms and battery storage at scale, and an end to state monopoly

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

ROLLING blackouts are costing South Africa dearly. The electricity crisis is a barrier to growth, destroys investor confidence and handicaps almost every economic activity. It has raised input costs for producers and retailers and has triggered a new round of inflation and interest rate increases. Author DAVID RICHARD WALWYN, Professor of Technology Management, University of Pretoria Any solution will obviously incur cost because it will require the adoption of new technologies, such as large-scale grid-connected solar farms that are linked to battery energy storage. But these technologies are expensive. A solar farm consisting of 50 MW of photovoltaic panels with…

Jun

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Subaru introduces a new chapter in the Compact Crossover space in South Africa

MOTORING

THE all-new Subaru Crosstrek is now available in South Africa offering next-generation vehicle safety, refinement, comfort, and capability. The all-new Crosstrek replaces the previous generation Subaru XV presented as the compact SUV within the Subaru SUV range next to the Forester and Outback. Where the XV and Crosstrek names were used separately in different markets around the world, the Crosstrek name has now been adopted worldwide, including here in South Africa. The name is coined from the words Crossover and Trekking, an impression into the car’s versatility and capability in a variety of terrains and environments. The Subaru XV/Crosstrek made…

Jun

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Audi driving experience returns to South Africa with exciting pop-up events

MOTORING NEWS

THE Audi driving experience is returning to South Africa with a series of pop-up events. These events will run between July and November covering Gauteng, the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal at some of the most exciting racing tracks in South Africa: the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit (Gauteng), Plaaspad Racetrack (Western Cape), and Dezzi South Coast Raceway (Kwa-Zulu Natal). Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa said: “We are thrilled to announce the re-launch of the Audi driving experience in South Africa. This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for South Africans to experience the very best of Audi’s performance models,…

Jun

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Ford SA’s double victory: Ranger makes history, Everest a good second

MOTORING NEWS

FORDSA has made history and achieved a rare double at the podium of the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition.In a ground-breaking achievement, the Ranger has become the first bakkie - pick-up - to secure an overall win in the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition.Ford further asserted itself in the awards by taking second place overall with the Everest.The Ford Ranger's triumph marks a historic moment as no other bakkie has ever managed to beat all finalists to the top spot since the competition began in 1986. Fortuitously, this award coincides with Ford South Africa’s…

May

30

2023

By The African Mirror

Being queer in Africa: the state of LGBTIQ+ rights across the continent

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, LGBTQIA+

IN recent years several African countries have decriminalised same-sex relationships. But they’re not representative of the continent. In fact, queer rights at times appear to be eroding in much of the continent, with Kenya and Uganda most recently in the news for harsh laws and violence against members of the LGBTIQ+ community. We asked sociologist and queer studies scholar Zethu Matebeni five questions. Author ZETHU MATEBENI, South African Research Chair in Sexualities, Genders and Queer Studies, University of Fort Hare How would you describe the state of LGBTIQ+ rights? The state of LGBTIQ+ rights on the continent could be described…

May

30

2023

By The African Mirror

Arms-to-Russia row raises doubt about South Africa’s compliance with arms control. It could face tougher scrutiny in future

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE recent furore over accusations by the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that South Africa was supplying arms to Russia despite its declared policy of non-alignment, has sparked a debate on whether the country’s arms control is lax, non-compliant and lacks oversight. The debate was further fuelled by the South African government’s reluctance to provide clear answers to questions about what Russia’s Lady R cargo ship came to deliver – or to pick up – from South Africa in December 2022. Author MOSES B. KHANYILE, Director: Centre for Military Studies, Faculty of Military Science, Stellenbosch University The general…