In the past few years, many of us have witnessed a troubling trend – politicians making decisions that feel increasingly out of touch with the realities of our daily lives. As infrastructures crumble and our local services wane, it is clear that the time has come for us to reclaim the reins of power from leaders who have lost sight of their communities. We find ourselves at a critical juncture where the need for change has never been more pressing.…

African leaders will gather again in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, for the 2025 African Union (AU) Summit on 17-18 February. This time it’s different, though. The meeting is taking place amid a different geopolitical context, and challenging socio-economic and security conditions on the continent.  Africa remains the poorest continent globally, with extreme poverty rates exceeding 30 percent in 23 of the world’s 28 poorest countries. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a US private non-profit research organisation,…

The United States has long positioned itself as a global champion of human rights, democracy and economic opportunity. However, its policies and decisions concerning South Africa, particularly regarding its white minority, have often been fraught with contradictions, suspicions and unintended consequences.  From the apartheid era through the post-1994 democratic transition, Washington’s involvement in South Africa has frequently exacerbated racial tensions and economic disparities. The recent surge in H-2A visas issued to South African farm workers, who are predominantly white, and…

Now that the dust has settled on the sexual harassment case filed by High Court secretary Andiswa Mengo against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge, I feel it is important to share my thoughts on the matter. This case highlights a crucial conversation about gender relations in South Africa, illuminating the complexities surrounding power dynamics, trust, and the pursuit of truth. It has become a pivotal moment for examining not only individual instances of misconduct but also the systemic factors…

South Africa enters the second transition against the backdrop of 30 years of democracy celebrations. We are reminded that the country’s freedom was not free and that people such as Dr Tlou Theophilus “Ranka” Cholo put their lives on the line against an oppressive regime. Rightfully, the freedom stalwart and former labour activist was honoured with the Isithwalandwe/Seaparankwe award, albeit in absentia during the recent African National Congress (ANC) 113th anniversary celebration in Khayelitsha, Western Cape. Dr Cholo’s honour was…

The Spring Festival is the largest and most important festival in China and among Chinese communities worldwide. Having experienced the festival for six years in China, I have developed a deep appreciation for its cultural, social, and economic significance. This celebration embodies essential themes such as family reunion, wishing for good fortune and well-being, social harmony, and preserving cultural heritage. In recognition of its importance, UNESCO added the Spring Festival to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of…

The Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been plagued by conflict for decades, leading to immense human suffering and widespread instability in the region. The situation has only worsened in recent years, with militia groups and external forces continuing to vie for control over the region’s wealth of natural resources.  The DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces have borne the brunt of this violence, resulting in displacement, human rights abuses, and a fragile security environment. As the conflict…

In recent years, universities have come under scrutiny for adopting an authoritarian leadership style and culture characterised by hierarchy, command-and-control decision-making, and rigid adherence to authority. This leadership, inspired by authoritarian efficiency, poses significant challenges when applied to academic institutions. Universities, as hubs of knowledge and creativity, require leadership styles that align with their unique missions of fostering critical thinking, innovation, and inclusivity. An authoritarian leadership style thrives on hierarchy, discipline, and a clear chain of command. While such structures…

Donald Trump’s Executive Order (EO) on ‘Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa’ (07/02/2025) is not a new development but a continuation of racist United States policies implanted on South Africa dating back decades. America is and has remained the godfather of oppression of Africans, Indigenous People and others within its borders, and these heinous policies were exported to South Africa to strengthen subjugation and ‘apartness’. Therefore, Trump’s EO is not an anomaly but a reflection of embedded…

In 2022, the French military was forced to leave Mali, and in 2023 it also withdrew from Burkina Faso and Niger at the request of the countries’ authorities. In November 2024, Chad ended its defense cooperation agreement with France, which pulled out its troops last week. This week, Paris reportedly began withdrawing its forces from Senegal. African peoples, previously oppressed by the West, no longer want Western domination, president of the Black African Defense League, an international antiracist organization for…