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May
23
2023
By DR MATHEWS PHOSA
How students can contribute to building a better future for all

How students can contribute to building a better future for all

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
WE must never forget to celebrate the gains that we have made since that historic day of political liberation twenty-nine years ago in May 1994. We have a Constitution that is universally admired, we can all proudly bring out our vote, and we have a democratic and vibrant political system wherein Opposition parties utilize every inch of the leeway that parliamentary rules and the law afford them - to keep the government on their toes. Strides have been made with social upliftment and - in some cases - we have created excellent infrastructure. We have struggled, however, with the maintenance…
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May
23
2023
By The African Mirror
South African diamonds adorn the crown of King Charles – why they’re unlikely to be returned

South African diamonds adorn the crown of King Charles – why they’re unlikely to be returned

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
OPERA singer Pretty Yende and foreign minister Naledi Pandor were not the only South African presence at the coronation of King Charles III. Also, there were the stones cut from the Cullinan diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found. The Cullinan, named after Thomas Cullinan, the chairman of the mining company that found it in South Africa, was mined in 1905 and was bought by the Transvaal colony’s government for presentation to King Edward VII in 1907. It was cut into nine stones and another 97 fragments. Author ROGER SOUTHALL, Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand The largest…
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May
22
2023
By MOSIBUDI MANGENA
Security is everything

Security is everything

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
THE public mood in South Africa is sombre these days, with many citizens getting that sinking feeling. On many fronts, be it economic growth, investment, employment, electricity supply or security of the person or business, the mood is not particularly sanguine. Young people, in particular, are not in a good space. Their unemployment rate is higher than most groups and those among them with good skills, are actively looking abroad for opportunities to advance their careers and rear and educate their children. So, we educate young people at great expense only to donate them to other countries. We all need…
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May
19
2023
By The African Mirror
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro: South Africa’s trailblazing defender of justice, human dignity and the constitution

Justice Yvonne Mokgoro: South Africa’s trailblazing defender of justice, human dignity and the constitution

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
MANY great legal minds have made important contributions to the development of the law, justice and constitutionalism in South Africa. One figure who stands out as a particularly influential jurist of the era is retired judge Yvonne Mokgoro. She was among the first justices of the country’s new constitutional court, serving from 1994 to 2009. Researchers at South Africa’s Human Sciences Research Council have aptly described this remarkable jurist: As the first black African woman appointed to the Bench in 1994, she brought with her fresh scars of the oppressive system of apartheid that alienated and marginalised her as a…
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May
16
2023
By The African Mirror
Farewell Enoch Duma: Storyteller par-excellence and freedom fighter

Farewell Enoch Duma: Storyteller par-excellence and freedom fighter

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
MATHATHA TSEDU A detainee who spends time in solitary confinement devises ways of surviving. Some ensure they have painkillers which they swallow before they enter the den of torture. Some create communication means amongst themselves to share information about the torture and what the police already knew. The latter helps those still going to be tortured to know what one should not deny because the sole purpose of refusing to give information is to defend the gains of struggle. If they already know what is the point of suffering. Still others go the dangerous route of befriending some of the…
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May
16
2023
By The African Mirror
Most east African refugees are hosted close to borders – it’s a deliberate war strategy

Most east African refugees are hosted close to borders – it’s a deliberate war strategy

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
THERE are close to 4 million people living in refugee camps across Africa. Of the more than 300 camps, nearly 70% are situated within 30km-50km of an international border. They include some of the largest camps in the continent, such as Kakuma in northern Kenya, Nyarugusu in western Tanzania and Bidibidi in north-western Uganda. Author KARA ROSS CAMARENA, Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago The closer the camp is to an international border, the easier it is for people on both sides of the border to interact. What this means is that healthy refugees in Kakuma, for example, can walk across…
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May
12
2023
By THAPELO TSELAPEDI
South Africa walks a tightrope of international alliances – it needs Russia, China and the west

South Africa walks a tightrope of international alliances – it needs Russia, China and the west

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
RELATIONS between the People’s Republic of China and Russia on one hand and the West, specifically the US, on the other have become increasingly tense in recent times. For the US, China and Russia represent authoritarian regimes. For China, the US is the source of global insecurity. Author THAPELO TSELAPEDI, Politics lecturer, Rhodes University With a few exceptions like France and the UK, the West sees the presence of Russia and China in the BRICS bloc (which also includes Brazil, India and South Africa) as contaminating the entire bloc as well as their relations with the individual BRICS member countries.…
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May
11
2023
By The African Mirror
Namibia and South Africa’s ruling parties share a heroic history – but their 2024 electoral prospects look weak

Namibia and South Africa’s ruling parties share a heroic history – but their 2024 electoral prospects look weak

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
NAMIBIAN president Hage Geingob used his recent state visit to South Africa to also address a meeting of the national executive committee of the governing party, the African National Congress (ANC). This underscored the ANC’s historic ties to Namibia’s governing party, South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo). According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also heads the ANC, the party had a “wonderful engagement” with Geingob, who posted on Facebook: As former liberation movements, we learn from one another, a manifestation of the deep bonds of solidarity formed during our struggle against oppression. Authors HENNING MELBER, Extraordinary Professor, Department of Political…
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May
11
2023
By BIRD STORY AGENCY
Getting women’s rights, right

Getting women’s rights, right

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
WE have all come across headlines that begin with "Women in tech", "Women in business", "Women in politics", or "Women in sports". While these headlines may seem well-intentioned, with time, the ongoing use of the phrase "Women in…" has become disempowering for women. Although there is a need to highlight underrepresented bodies and communities, using qualifiers reinforces the idea that the existence of women, first, is an anomaly and, secondly, that their presence in specific spaces continues to be uncommon. Using titles like 'Black Woman', 'Queer Woman', and 'Career Woman' may seem empowering, but it is not. This practice has…
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