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May
30
2023
By The African Mirror
Being queer in Africa: the state of LGBTIQ+ rights across the continent

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…
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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

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…
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May
18
2023
By The African Mirror
Did South Africa sell arms to Russia? Only a series of unlikely scenarios could have made it possible

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”,…
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May
15
2023
By The African Mirror
Zulu vs Xhosa: how colonialism used language to divide South Africa’s two biggest ethnic groups

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…
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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

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…
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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

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…
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Apr
22
2023
By The African Mirror
Kenya should decriminalise homosexuality: 4 compelling reasons why

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…
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Apr
20
2023
By The African Mirror
South Africa’s power outages could reach critical levels this winter – likely scenarios

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,…
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Apr
19
2023
By The African Mirror
Rusesabagina vs Rwanda: how Kagame wields soft power to get his way with the West

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…
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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

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…
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