SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

May

18

2023

Did South Africa sell arms to Russia? Only a series of unlikely scenarios could have made it possible

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

ON 11 May 2023 the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, claimed that South Africa had secretly exported arms to Russia in December 2022. The announcement rapidly fed into a popular narrative that South Africa was increasingly siding with Russia in relation to Moscow’s aggressive war in Ukraine. Author GUY LAMB, Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University Brigety’s statements made both South African and international news headlines, including the Wall Street Journal, CNN and the Financial Times. He asserted that based on US intelligence reports, ammunition and/or arms were furtively loaded onto a Russian cargo vessel, the “Lady R”,…

May

15

2023

By The African Mirror

Zulu vs Xhosa: how colonialism used language to divide South Africa’s two biggest ethnic groups

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

SOUTH Africa has 12 official languages. The two most dominant are isiZulu and isiXhosa. While the Zulu and Xhosa people share a rich common history, they have also found themselves engaged in ethnic conflict and division, notably during urban wars between 1990 and 1994. A new book, Divided by the Word, examines this history – and how colonisers and African interpreters created the two distinct languages, entrenched by apartheid education. Historian Jochen S. Arndt answers some questions about his book. Author JOCHEN S. ARNDT, Associate Professor of History, Virginia Military Institute What is the key premise of the book? The…

May

11

2023

By The African Mirror

Farmers in South Africa face power cuts and a weak rand – but a number of factors are working in their favour too

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

WINTER is an important season for South African agriculture, with some of its key field crops being produced during the cold months of June, July and August, and maturing after that, with harvesting in December. Preparation of the land for winter crops begins in April, which is also the same time harvesting of the summer crops begins. Author WANDILE SIHLOBO, Senior Fellow, Department of Agricultural Economics, Stellenbosch University Farmers in the Western and Northern Cape, Free State, Limpopo and other winter crop growing regions are making arrangements for growing winter wheat, canola, barley and oats. All of the country’s wheat…

May

02

2023

By The African Mirror

Peace in the DRC: East Africa has deployed troops to combat M23 rebels – who’s who in the regional force

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

THE East Africa Community (EAC) has completed the deployment of its regional force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to oversee the withdrawal of the rebel group, M23, from the eastern part of the country. The last contingent was of South Sudanese soldiers who joined troops from Kenya, Burundi and Uganda. Author JENNA RUSSO, Researcher and lecturer, City University of New York Formed in 2012 as a splinter group of the armed militia National Congress for the Defence of the People, the M23 briefly occupied the city of Goma the same year. It was quickly routed by forces…

Apr

22

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenya should decriminalise homosexuality: 4 compelling reasons why

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS, LGBTQIA+

KENYA has recently seen the increasing visibility of sexual and gender minorities. However, this has been met with a growing backlash. Religious and political leaders have been spreading homophobic and transphobic rhetoric. This has happened with the tacit approval of a law enforcement apparatus that’s supposed to guarantee the right to equal protection. Authors EMMY KAGEHA IGONYA, Associate research scientist, African Population and Health Research Center LUCY WANJIKU MUNG’ALA, PhD Researcher, University of Amsterdam The continued criminalisation of same-sex sexual relations among consenting adults in Kenya worsens social disparities and inequalities. It fuels socioeconomic and health vulnerabilities. It deprives members…

Apr

20

2023

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s power outages could reach critical levels this winter – likely scenarios

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

OVER the past 15 years South Africa has been experiencing a gradually worsening number of electricity cuts. This state of affairs has prompted frustration among citizens, negative international economic sentiment and financial hardship for many businesses. Public pressure has grown more intense, leading to the extraordinary presidential decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to proclaim a state of disaster as well as to appoint a Minister of Electricity. Author HARTMUT WINKLER, Professor of Physics, University of Johannesburg The year 2022 was marked by the worst power outages in the country’s history. Electricity generation deficits reached up to 6 GW on occasion,…

Apr

19

2023

By The African Mirror

Rusesabagina vs Rwanda: how Kagame wields soft power to get his way with the West

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

IN politics, soft power is a persuasive approach to international relations. A leader can use soft power by exerting economic, cultural or reputational influence. His hard power aside, soft power is something Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame possesses in spades. One of Africa’s long-serving leaders, Kagame wields soft power to deal with international criticism of his authoritarianism and human rights abuses. Author KEITH GOTTSCHALK, Political Scientist, University of the Western Cape As a political scientist, I have been tracking developments in Africa’s governance and democracy, integration and peace-keeping. In my view, the recent Paul Rusesabagina saga was the first misstep that…

Apr

10

2023

By The African Mirror

Citroen C3 wins “The 2023 Most Urban Car” Award

MOTORING

CITROËN C3 has been awarded the prestigious "2023 WORLD URBAN CAR" prize at the 19th WORLD CAR AWARDS. The announcement came on the sidelines of the opening of the New York Auto Show, following a vote by more than 100 international journalists from 32 countries. C3 won a title in the Urban Car category, which is open to all cars under 4.25m that are on sale in at least two major markets (China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, US), and on at least two separate continents. "We are particularly honoured to receive this "2023 WORLD URBAN CAR" award for…

Apr

05

2023

By The African Mirror

The World Bank used to cause untold harm – but 30 years ago it started reforming. What went right

SPECIAL FEATURES: ANALYSIS

DEVELOPMENT projects can have profound impacts on their societies. There are many benefits that flow from building new roads and power plants, and from modernising agricultural practices. But they can also have permanent negative consequences. For example, communities may be involuntarily relocated to make way for roads or power plants. These projects can change the way natural resources are used in a particular area, making it difficult or impossible for communities to continue their traditional agricultural practices. The job opportunities that they create can challenge traditional values and ways of living. Author DANNY BRADLOW, SARCHI Professor of International Development Law…

Apr

10

2023

By The African Mirror

Range-topping VW Polo Vivo GT gets a fresh look

MOTORING

A total of 119 679 second-generation Volkswagen Polo Vivo units have been sold since its launch in the local market in 2018. Since the Polo Vivo was first introduced in South Africa in 2010, the popular hatch has recorded 313 620 in cumulative sales. The range-topping Volkswagen Polo Vivo GT will now be getting a fresh new look with exterior and interior updates. The Polo Vivo GT’s unique styling and characteristics have been enhanced whilst the flagship status within the Polo Vivo model range is maintained. Exterior highlights include silver mirror caps, GT rear decal, wheels and dash inserts as…