The recent wave of violent attacks targeting foreign nationals living in South Africa has shattered the country’s reputation for tolerance and goodwill. The South African government has condemned these acts of violence but insisted that it was not xenophobia but acts of criminality. Many have blamed senior government officials for triggering the violence due to
READ MORESouth Africa’s former president Thabo Mbeki recently gave a relatively brief speech on the legacy of the late Robert Mugabe. He was speaking at a memorial service organized by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Durban, South Africa. Mbeki’s speech and probable future interviews on Mugabe was always going to be highly anticipated. Not
READ MOREDozens of South African businesses include banks, supermarkets and a television provider have been temporarily shut down in the Zambian capital Lusaka, as thousands of university students protest xenophobia taking place in South Africa. First National Bank (FNB), Shoprite, Multichoice (DStv), Hungry Lion, Barclays Bank, Pick N Pay and several other South African owned companies
READ MOREWhen the Judicial Service Commission hearings on Judge Mogoeng Mogoeng were being held, I expressed significant doubts regarding his suitability for the role of Chief Justice. Among my concerns were his views on homosexuality, his reasoning in certain judgments related to sexual assault, and of course, his religious views and whether they would impact on
READ MORESouth African social media have been even more intemperate than usual since Cyril Ramaphosa was elected ANC leader – and yes, I realise how implausible that might sound. It nevertheless strikes me as true in light of the volume of comment I read calling for President Zuma’s head (sometimes quite literally), now that he was
READ MOREThose who think that politicians should be held to a higher moral standard than other influential people seem guilty of an inconsistency. The primary clue as to what should be expected of you is in your job title or description – if you’re a teacher, you should be judged on your teaching, and if you’re
READ MOREIf you are reading this, then you have likely seen today’s Zapiro cartoon. If you haven’t, you can see it on Daily Maverick. I’m not going to reproduce it here, both because I haven’t asked for permission to do so, and because some folk who I hope to engage via this post might think it’s
READ MOREIn November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly declared that 18 July should be commemorated as “Nelson Mandela International Day”, in recognition of his “struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace”. It is unfortunately all too easy to imagine Mandela looking on in dismay at where we are in 2016,
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