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Articles on South African politics

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A typical community protest over the delivery of basic services in South Africa. A study shows protesters often resort to violence to attract attention. Reuters/Mike Hutchings

Voices of the poor are missing from South Africa’s media

The advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 is often hailed as peaceful and smooth. But, there are lingering problems. Dissent over unmet expectations has resulted in an increase in protests.
An image of Martin Luther King is projected onto the court ahead of a basketball game at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA/Erik Lesser

Why Martin Luther King’s anti-racism crusade needs to be renewed

Martin Luther King’s legacy must be contextualised within a larger global struggle against racism and hatred. Africans should revisit the values he espoused and continue with the anti-racism crusade.
Jon Stewart with Trevor Noah at the 67th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Governors Ball in Los Angeles, California recently. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

The Trevor Noah phenomenon: young, black South Africans are standing up

The Trevor Noah phenomenon speaks to an influential comedic revolution that is happening in South Africa. Its comics operate in an increasingly complex, high-risk and conflict-intense society.
South Africa is slowly transforming the retributive Western criminal justice system it inherited from colonial times to incorporate African principles of reconciliation and reparation. shutterstock

Why South Africa’s tentative moves toward restorative justice need support

The emergence of the restorative justice philosophy responds to the need to change South Africa’s retributive criminal justice system to accommodate African legal practices.
South African President Jacob Zuma, who is also the president of the governing African National Congress, with his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

South Africa’s governing party celebrates with eye on tough year ahead

The ANC will be judged by its ability to deliver on its promises to provide basic services and good governance, practise sound financial management and combat corruption this election year.
The Chinese and South African governments, led by presidents Xi Jingping and Jacob Zuma, cement ties during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Reuters/Wang Zhao/Pool

South Africa and China: behind the smoke and mirrors

When it comes to the global political economy, no one “talks left and walks right” more than China, a dominant player in global capitalism. South African and Chinese aspirations have much in common.
South Africa was hit by an unprecedented wave of student protests against fee hikes, racism and for the decolonisation of curriculum. Reuters/Mike Hutchings

Want to understand the decolonisation debate? Here’s your reading list

Many works published on decolonisation originate from Ngugi wa Thiongo’s idea of decolonising the African mind. Imperialism, he writes, has left its mark on the minds of the previously colonised.
Young South Africans are angry with the failure of the country to deal with racism. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Getting to grips with why race is still a divisive issue in South Africa

The central thrust of Haffajee’s book is compelling. It argues that black South Africans, especially the new generation of young, black ‘born frees’ are obsessed with whiteness and white privilege.
South Africa’s nuclear deal with Russia is part of the backdrop to the current crisis. Reuters/Alexei Nikolsky

Why South Africa should gird itself for tumultuous times

President Jacob Zuma’s era has been characterised by a high turnover, not only of cabinet members, but also senior public officials and executives in state-owned enterprises.
A new book puts forward the thesis that South Africa faces a crisis of governance and leadership rather than an economic crisis. Yalo

A hard-hitting analysis of South Africa’s deepening malaise

Justice Malala argues that South Africa faces a governance and leadership crisis, rather than an economic crisis. He argues that is not up to the ruling party alone to solve the problem.
Presidents Hollande and Obama. Is it still possible for nation states to build a global alliance against organisations such as Daesh? Reuters/Jonathan Ernst

States and gangs: the difficult search for new ways to run the world

To save mankind from the scourge of war… These eight words drawn from the preamble to the Charter of the United Nations have been ringing in my head for the past week. Most believe that they were penned…
The Open Government Partnership can play an important part by increasing trust among citizens and public accountability in Africa. shutterstock

What the global open government partnership can do for Africa

The Open Government Partnership promotes transparency, public accountability and civic participation in government to combat corruption. It is hoped South Africa will help it grow in Africa.
Miners pray during the one-year anniversary commemoration of the killings of 34 striking miners by police outside Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine. Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Marikana massacre: how South African journalism failed the test

The reporting of the Marikana massacre was characterised by embedded journalism, sensationalism and polarisation of views. The media became a loudspeaker for powerful political and economic interests.
Scientific evidence shows overwhelmingly that people across the world are genetic refugees from Africa. Shutterstock

How science has been abused through the ages to promote racism

Despite science refuting the existence of different human races, people have used “race” throughout history to divide and denigrate certain people while promoting their claims of superiority.

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