Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, SC, receives a hero’s welcome at Oliver Tambo International Airport on arrival from The Hague.
Alaister Russell / AFP via Getty Images.
Palestine remains the single issue on which South Africa’s support for a people’s struggle has been unquestionably consistent.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the Cairo Summit for Peace in October 2023.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s messages, and tone of delivery, suggest an assertive leader representing the interests of the global south.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation on developments in South Africa’s strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.
GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa tried to foster social cohesion in his speeches during a pandemic that had exposed the nation’s divisions.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is set to announce its annual winner for the peace prize on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Nobel Peace Prize has recognized some legendary leaders and peace activists, but it has a mixed track record of recognizing people who actually deserve the prize.
Aziz Pahad in Tehran in 2004. He was South Africa’s deputy foreign minister at the time.
Henghameh Fahimi/AFP via Getty images
South Africa will miss having a “diplomat-scholar” of his calibre to turn to for sage advice.
Nelson Mandela, the late first president of democratic South Africa, is credited with the relatively peaceful transition from apartheid rule.
Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images
There is never going to be a final assessment of Mandela’s legacy. How it is regarded will continue to change, depending on the destination South Africa travels to.
Some 1971 tour players, from left, Hira Dhiraj, Hoosen Bobat, a Dutch friend, Jasmat Dhiraj, Charmaine Williams and Oscar Woodman. Williams toured at her own expense.
Courtesy the 1971 players/UKZN Press
A new book delves into the issues faced by a 1971 international tennis tour, and calls for injustice to be recognised.
Detail of a photo of Frank Anthony (front left) on Robben Island with Walter Sisulu (front right).
© Unknown/Courtesy Nelson Mandela Foundation
The activist and writer has been erased from South Africa’s history - but new academic work seeks to restore his voice.
The late South African mining tycoon, Harry Oppenheimer.
Harry Frederick Oppenheimer in his Johannesburg office. (Photo by William Campbell/Sygma via Getty Images
Regarding himself heir to Cecil Rhodes, Oppenheimer deplored the threat to civilisation represented by ‘primitive tribesmen’.
Chris Hani (R) after being elected secretary general of the South African Communist Party in December 1991. To his left is the former secretary general Jo Slovo.
Walter Dhladhla/AFP via Getty Images
The book is a gripping read for anyone interested in late 20th century history, and in the end of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at home in 1990.
Robert Botha/Business Day/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Jonny Steinberg talks about his intimate double biography of the famous South African leaders.
Anti-apartheid activist Neil Aggett (29) died in apartheid police detention in 1982.
Charcoal on paper by Dr Amitabh Mitra/Wiki Commons
Neil Agget’s passionate trade unionism proved fateful. It made him a target of a brutally repressive apartheid police state.
An artist’s impression of Gan Siyobonga memorial park in Israel.
Supplied by author
Gan Siyabonga is unique in Israel. It highlights a group that was both anti-apartheid and pro-Zionist.
Beyoncé performs in Dubai in 2023.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal
Africa is considered too high risk as a destination for big US pop tours - but Beyoncé could and should break the mould.
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa.
South Africa’s foreign policy under Ramaphosa emphasises economic diplomacy and ‘progressive internationalism’, which promotes global equity and ending the dominance of the global north.
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov meets with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor, in Pretoria. Russia provided valuable support for the ANC during its struggle against apartheid.
EPA-EFE/Kim Ludbrook
The relationship between Pretoria and Moscow was forged in the apartheid era with the then Soviet Union giving support to banned ANC fighters.
Regina Twala in a rare photograph with her first husband Percy Kumalo, 1936.
Courtesy Ohio University Press
A powerful new book restores the writer and feminist politician to her rightful place in history.
African National Congress leader Oliver Tambo during his exile in Botswana.
William Campbell/Sygma via Getty Images
A historian counters the popular view that the 1989 collapse of the Berlin Wall set in motion talks to end apartheid. The process was unstoppable by then.
Loyalists of the ANC’s Radical Economic Transformation (RET) at the Olive Convention Centre in Durban.
Rajesh Jantilal/AFP via Getty Images
Despite its vagueness, the RET has become central to the contemporary ANC. It is destined to remain a powerful bloc within the party, and a constant constraint on Ramaphosa leadership.
Simon Nkoli (left) with activist and physician Ivan Toms in 1989.
Courtesy Julia Nicol Collection/GALA Queer Archive
The activist is today the subject of songs, sculptures, an annual lecture and even a new musical.