THOUGHT LEADERSHIP - The African Mirror

Oct

21

2024

Who is Tundu Lissu? Tanzania’s opposition leader is fighting for change in the face of fresh attacks on political freedoms

TUNDU Lissu has become the face of opposition in Tanzania following his defiant and unrelenting criticism of the government. Since he came into the national limelight in 1995 when running for a parliamentary seat, Lissu has been a champion of democracy and human rights. He has taken on the ruling elite, exposing corruption and demanding accountability. This almost cost him his life in 2017. In September 2024, new evidence presented at a London tribunal revealed that the telecommunications company Tigo had shared Lissu’s mobile phone data – including his location – with the Tanzanian government. The implication was that the…

Oct

07

2024

By PETER HARRIS

Freedom for Chagos islands: UK’s deal with Mauritius will be a win for all

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

BRITAIN is close to resolving its territorial dispute with Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean. For years, Mauritius has claimed the island group as part of its sovereign territory. It says that Britain unlawfully detached the islands from Mauritius in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence. The Mauritian position is backed by international courts and the United Nations, creating enormous pressure for Britain to decolonise. London, however, has been reluctant to abandon the Chagos Archipelago. This is because the largest island, Diego Garcia, is the site of a strategically important US military base. Britain…

Dec

08

2025

By JOVIAL RANTAO

The ANC sisterhood of power, politics: meet the queens of Gauteng’s political chessboard

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THEY didn't arrive on horseback, but they might as well have. From the rolling hills and coastal winds of the Eastern Cape, a formidable alliance of women politicians has descended upon Gauteng - South Africa's economic heartland -and they're not here to play supporting roles. They're here to rule. Meet the power quartet reshaping the African National Congress from within: Loyiso Masuku, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, and Vuyo Mhlakaza-Manamela. Educated, politically astute, battle-tested, and unapologetically ambitious, these women are engaged in a sophisticated game of political chess that would make Machiavelli take notes. The New Queen of Johannesburg: Loyiso Masuku's…

Dec

06

2025

By JUDITH COULLIE

Who was Albert Luthuli? The murdered South African leader who put his people above himself

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

SOUTH African liberation leader Albert Luthuli died on 21 July 1967 near his home in Groutville, in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. A government inquest concluded his death was an accident – that he was hit by a train. This was always disputed by his family, and almost 60 years later, they were vindicated. In 2025, a court ruled that Luthuli was murdered, his death the result of “assault by members of the security special branch of the South African police”. The ruling corrects long-standing historical records. It adds Luthuli’s murder to the catalogue of torture and assassination that…

Dec

05

2025

By JOVIAL RANTAO

Tanzania in crisis: When democracy dies in darkness

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE story of Jenifer "Niffer" Jovin should haunt all Africans. A cosmetics entrepreneur, she built a business selling beauty products, contributing to Tanzania's economy and pursuing her dreams in the country she calls home. Her crime? Dancing to a protest song on social media - a few seconds of joy that landed her in the back of a police van, charged with treason alongside over 140 other Tanzanians. For more than two weeks, she languished in prison, facing the death penalty for a TikTok dance. This is Tanzania in 2025 - a nation where a viral social media challenge becomes…

Mar

23

2024

By JOHANN KIRSTEN and WANDILE SIHLOBO

This is how President Ramaphosa got to the 25% figure of progress in land reform in South Africa

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

NEARLY three decades into democracy, land reform remains central to South Africa’s transformation policies and agricultural policy. We have over the years pointed out that the progress on land reform has been incorrectly reported. It’s been consistently understated. We have argued that, if the statistics are treated carefully, the progress has been much better than politicians and activists often claim. We were encouraged earlier this year when South African president Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged in his State of the Nation address that there had been better progress in land reform. The commonly cited argument is that land reform has been a…

Dec

04

2025

By JOHN JOSEPH CHIN

Guinea-Bissau’s military takeover highlights the nation’s sorry history of coups and a deepening crisis across the region

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

ARMY generals in Guinea-Bissau seized power on Nov. 26, 2025 – the eve of a scheduled official declaration of the winner in the West African nation’s presidential election. Alleging a destabilisation plot by unnamed politicians and drug lords, the military suspended the electoral process and blocked the results of a contest that both the now former president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and the opposition candidate had claimed victory in. General Horta Inta-a, the head of the presidential guard, was subsequently sworn in as “transitional” leader and Ilídio Vieira Té, a close Embaló ally, was appointed prime minister. The timing of the…

Nov

28

2025

By JESPER BJARNESEN

Côte d’Ivoire’s democratic backslide: elections leave even less space for freedom

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

IVORIANS went to the polls on 25 October 2025 to choose between incumbent president Alassane Ouattara – seeking a fourth five-year term – and one of four candidates who didn’t have the backing of the largest opposition parties. There was not much of a choice, as the three main opposition candidates were banned from standing. Ouattara claimed another first-round landslide victory with 89.77% of votes cast. As a researcher, I have followed political developments in Côte d'Ivoire over the past 15 years, and I’m currently involved in a project on boycott movements which uses Côte d’Ivoire as a country case.…

Nov

25

2025

By OWN CORRESPONDENT

The ping-pong war: Nigeria’s children caught in an endless cycle of abduction and rescue

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

THE soldiers left around midnight. The bandits arrived at 4 a.m. In those four hours of darkness, the fate of 25 schoolgirls at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, was sealed. Despite advanced intelligence. Despite two military checkpoints within seven kilometres. Despite an armoured personnel carrier stationed less than a kilometre away. Vice Principal Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku died with his body between the gunmen and his students. It wasn't enough. That was Monday. By Friday, armed groups had returned to strike St Mary High School in neighbouring Niger State, seizing 315 students and teachers in what…

Nov

25

2025

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

“Thank you to the people of South Africa for a historic G20 Presidency – the People’s G20”

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

OVER the past two days, our country hosted leaders from around the world for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.This is the first time that the G20 has been hosted on African soil. Recognising the importance of this milestone, we have placed Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda.The G20 matters for South Africa not only to cement our important role in international affairs, but also to support our own growth and create jobs for South Africans. We can only achieve these objectives in an environment of global stability, inclusive growth and a level playing field.Leading…