The rugged coastlines of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape conceal secrets beneath the waves secrets that challenge longstanding narratives about South Africa’s past. Among these are persistent myths: that white settlement began in 1652, that Africans had little engagement with the outside world before colonial conquest and that the Atlantic slave trade was the most important conduit for African enslavement. These narratives have shaped mainstream historiography and even Pan-African ideologies, obscuring deeper truths about interaction and our view of the…

Humming factories, bustling ports, and shuttling merchants highlight the vibrancy of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Over the years, this partnership has grown significantly, optimising trade structures and fostering mutual development. This deepening collaboration is evident in China’s role as Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner for 15 consecutive years.  During the first seven months of 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $167 billion, reflecting a 5.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the International…

The world in 2024 was far from peaceful. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has persisted for over 1,000 days. Meanwhile, a new wave of violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, ongoing for more than a year, spilled over into Lebanon, Iran, and even Syria.  Africa also faced new challenges to peace and security over the past year. Armed conflicts continued in various regions, particularly in the Horn of Africa, while terrorism and external interference exacerbated regional instability. These challenges made…

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilisations on the way to modernisation, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the Global Civilisation Initiative.    Civilisations are enriched through exchange and grow through mutual learning. The exchange between Chinese and African civilisations…

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 BRICS nations are constructing a fresh model for cross-border e-commerce. Through initiatives like the BRICS Pay System and a proposed independent financial infrastructure, BRICS is moving beyond merely participating in the global economy. BRICS Pay: secure, cost-effective solution for global digital tradeThe 14th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in July 2024 affirmed this direction, recognising that “E-commerce has become one of the most important drivers of global economic growth.” With the aim to expand its presence in global e-commerce through…

It’s that time of the year again when we find ourselves reflecting on the year that was and the year ahead. On the African continent, many countries are still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and are doing so amid a fraught geopolitical environment. These tensions have, to some extent, created hurdles in the path of Africa’s recovery.  The African Development Bank has attributed the economic slowdown on the continent to astronomical inflation caused by soaring food and…

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…

In the heart of Abuja’s evolving financial district, an extraordinary gathering of Africa’s leading policymakers, business magnates, and international development partners took place in mid-December. The Debt Management Forum for Africa (DeMFA), convened on 16-17 December 2024, may well be remembered as a watershed in the continent’s ongoing struggle to tame the complexities of public debt. Under the auspices of the African Development Bank (AfDB), a key player in African economic development, and supported by a coalition of global and…

South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. In early January every year, many parents and their children wait anxiously for the publishing of matric results. Questions should be asked about the continued relevance of this tradition, even though it once symbolized transparency and accountability.  We live in a time when mental health, privacy and equity are top priorities, as such, it might be both harmful and outdated to disseminate matric results publicly. One of the…