For centuries, Europe was the architect of global imperialism, carving up foreign territories and subjugating populations in pursuit of dominance. Driven by a potent cocktail of ambition, religious zeal and racial superiority, the expansion of the European empire ranks amongst the worst human disasters, especially for the world’s subalterns. The empire was built on exploitation, enslavement and violent subjugation and birthed the dreadful, unequal and racist modern world.  Now, the tables have turned in the face of US Imperialism or…

The matric results came out this week: Free State came out tops, and Limpopo was at the bottom. At least that is what we are supposed to read from the percentages in order to be joyous or sad. The debate as usual will continue to focus on trivial things like the reasons why Limpopo is has the lowest pass mark or which kid got most distinctions. This is indicative of how far we continue to miss the point. South Africa…

During the festive season peaks in December, millions of South African workers in big and mid-sized urban areas “go home” to spend time in rural labour reserves where they were born. This mass movement, which appears to be a deeply ingrained cultural practice, reflects something far more insidious: the enduring legacy of South Africa’s colonial and apartheid-era migrant labour system.  This system, designed to exploit cheap black labour for the benefit of a white-controlled economy, has not only persisted but…

A nation’s soul is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. By this measure, South Africa stands on shaky ground, its promises of equality and justice faltering under the burden of inequality and neglect. The slogan ‘Not Yet Uhuru’ captures the unfulfilled promise of freedom—a dream deferred by systemic oppression and the indifference and complicity of those who should know better, black people themselves. How have we reached a point where black individuals and elite, themselves survivors of apartheid’s…

In their article India’s tech CEO boom: What Africa can learn (IOL 25/08/2024), Phapano Phasha and Redge Nkosi explore India’s significant growth as a hub for global talent and economic partnerships, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors. They highlight how India, under PM Narendra Modi, is positioning itself as an emerging superpower, projected to become the world’s third-largest economy in the coming years. Central to their argument is what they call a “CEO boom” and Indian tech skills. They…

The discourse surrounding the energy transition has taken on a narrative that is both compelling and, at times, misleading. As we delve deeper into the complexities of this transition, it becomes increasingly clear that the optimism prevalent in many industry circles may gloss over critical challenges, as underscored by the Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute (TNI) analysis in 2023. Unjust energy transition is shrouded in myths, primitive accumulation and deceit. Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported that global investments in low-carbon technologies surged…

Many people already predicted the EFF’s failure when the news surfaced that its deputy president Floyd Shivambu was going to leave the party. It was widely reported that he had decided not to renew his membership and had stepped down from all his roles in the party. On Thursday, 15 August, the EFF called a media conference where Shivambu tendered his ‘resignation’ from the party. Floyd Shivambu has decided to hitch his wagon to the MK party. Suddenly, there is…

Academic Mary de Haas of UKZN has long studied the prevalence of violence and its intersectionalities in Natal. She examines the complex relationships between violence and other social, political, and economic factors within the provincial context. The Moerane Commission later confirmed that Glebelands, townships, municipalities and taxi ranks are killing fields. Although the Moerane Report has been widely criticised for not being implemented effectively, it remains crucial for understanding the root causes of political violence in the province. Many reports…

In the 1970s, Capital owners, led by the Randlords under Oppenheimer, initiated a political strategy to protect their economic interests amidst growing discontent from the black majority. Despite clashing with apartheid’s segregation, the Randlords’ economic power steered the path to the ‘political miracle’ of 1994. They foresaw the need for a strategic shift to maintain economic control while appeasing international pressure, engaging in behind-the-scenes negotiations, lobbying and forming alliances to influence favourable political outcomes. The Randlords’ interventions mastered a ‘soft’…

Climate change is often described as a crisis that affects everyone, demanding urgent action to prevent widespread devastation from storms and rising seas. However, a significant concern is that climate change discussions are not open to everyone for engagement or inquiry. This exclusion is not accidental but a deliberate tactic to promote specific agendas and achieve predetermined political and economic goals. Despite claims of equality and justice, the reality is that the world operates on hierarchical structures that marginalise the…