THOUGHT LEADERSHIP - The African Mirror

Jan

24

2023

Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election: 10 factors that could affect the outcome

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

AS Nigerians inch closer to the February 2023 presidential election, the seventh since the current wave of liberal democracy formally started in 1999, there are at least 10 key issues that are likely to drive and determine the outcome. Political scientist, Jideofor Adibe, explores them all. 1. Ethnicity and regionalism Author JIDEOFOR ADIBE, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi Four of the 18 presidential candidates in the election, regarded as the front runners, come from the three dominant ethnic groups in the country: Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. From the north are Atiku Abubakar, a former…

Jan

23

2023

By The African Mirror

Integrity of universities is critical

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

UNIVERSITIES are hallowed spaces dedicated to a relentless search for truth, knowledge and the acquisition of skills and expertise. It stands to reason that university campuses are environments where scholars and intellectuals flex their brain powers, train the young and provide society with new knowledge and the ability to advance through know-how. MOSIBUDI MANGENA They are therefore not sites for violence and shooting of guns. Physical violence and thuggery of any description should have no place in an institution of higher learning. Not only South Africa, but the whole world must be shocked beyond words by the attempted assassination of…

Jan

19

2023

By The African Mirror

Meet Valerie Traore, the woman behind one of Africa’s leading advocacy firms

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

BIRD STORY AGENCY FOURTEEN years ago, Valerie Traore quit her job in Nairobi, put her possessions up for sale and used the proceeds to chase her dream some 6,000 km away, on the other side of a continent. Today, the founder and Executive Director of Niyel, an international advocacy and campaigning firm based in Dakar, has no regrets about that decision. "What Niyel is doing through advocacy is showing others that we are change creators because the Africa we want is the Africa we have to be part of developing and creating but not dismissing those who are not part…

Jan

18

2023

By The African Mirror

Post Moloto – The Language Warrior

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

MATHATHA TSEDU RALPH Waldo Emerson, in his book "On Heroism", wrote: "When you have chosen your part, abide by it and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself to the world. The heroic cannot be the common nor the common heroic. Congratulate yourself if you have done something strange and extravagant, and broken the monotony of a decorous age" The struggle against colonisation all over the world is always a fight for the reclamation of the colonised's being, their dignity, way of life, their culture, their land and their wealth. In many previously colonised nations, the coloniser packs his and…

Jan

14

2023

By The African Mirror

Madosini, a South African national treasure whose music kept a rich history alive

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

RENOWNED African musician, songwriter and storyteller Latozi “Madosini” Mphahleni passed away late in 2022. The cultural and indigenous music activist, who laughed as often as she played, was loved by everyone she met. She has left behind a rich legacy of Xhosa music, heritage and history. She also taught and nurtured a new generation of bow players, reinvigorating an art that was dying. Author BOUDINA MCCONNACHIE, Ethnomusicology and African Musical Arts lecturer, Rhodes University The iconic South African Xhosa bow performer was born on 25 December 1943 (though she herself was uncertain of the precise date) in a village called…

Jan

13

2023

By The African Mirror

Chinese workers on Africa’s infrastructure projects: the link with host political regimes

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

CHINA has rapidly become Africa’s most important infrastructure builder, and the footprint of Chinese construction companies is seen in cities, towns and villages across the continent. With the launch of Beijing’s “Go Global” policy in 2000, and President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the volume of roads, bridges, railways, power stations and other infrastructure built by China has increased markedly. The number of overseas contracts signed by Chinese companies more than doubled from just under 6,000 in 2004 to almost 12,000 in 2019. Authors PIPPA MORGAN, Lecturer, Political Science, Duke Kunshan University ANDREA GHISELLI, Assistant Professor, School…

Jan

12

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenya and South Africa are working to address trade barriers: where to start

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

TRADE volumes between Kenya and South Africa have always been minimal compared to each country’s engagement with its other major trading partners. But in recent years, leaders of the two countries have been taking steps to stimulate trade. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was on the same mission late last year when he addressed the Kenya-SA Business Forum in Nairobi. We asked trade and foreign policy analyst Paul Odhiambo and economist XN Iraki about the trade obstacles between the two countries and how these can be overcome. Authors XN IRAKI, Associate Professor, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of…

Jan

09

2023

By The African Mirror

Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis: how the common law court offers a ray of hope

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

SIX years on, the crisis in the Anglophone (English-speaking) regions of Cameroon continues. Recent reports indicate that over 6,000 people have been killed. A further 600,000 have been internally displaced, while over 7,700 people have become refugees in neighbouring Nigeria. The conflict’s origins lie partly in the fact that Cameroon applies two different systems of law. Anglophone lawyers say the system marginalises the common law. Cameroon was colonised by Great Britain and France, which occupied 20% and 80% of the territory respectively. They introduced both their language and their legal traditions in their respective spheres of influence. Author LAURA-STELLA ENONCHONG,…

Jan

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Pelé: a global superstar and cultural icon who put passion at the heart of soccer

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

PELÉ, soccer’s first global superstar, has died at the age of 82. To many fans, the Brazilian will be remembered as the best to have ever played the game. For others it goes further: He was the symbol of soccer played with passion, gusto and a smile. Indeed, he helped to forge an image of the game, which even today lots of people continue to crave. Author SIMON CHADWICK, Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy, SKEMA Business School Pelé wasn’t just a great player and a wonderful ambassador for the world’s favourite game; he was a cultural icon. Indeed, he…

Dec

29

2022

By The African Mirror

West Africa has experienced a wave of coups – superficial democracy is to blame

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

WEST Africa has seen coups and military takeovers in three countries in 2022. Like those of the past, they came with promises of a quick return to civilian regimes once socio-economic and political challenges had been met. The challenges are usually listed as inept governance, corruption, rising insecurity and popular revolts amid economic hardship. One view of governance on the African continent is that liberal democracy has spread since the 2000s, bringing an end to dictatorships. Most African countries, it’s argued, have multiparty democracies with elected governments. Author TEMITOPE J. LANIRAN, Research Associate, University of Bradford My own view is…