The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains one of Africa’s most intractable conflict zones, decades after the fall of long-time leader Mobutu Sese Seko in September 1997. In the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, violence continues to claim lives, destabilise communities, and disrupt regional stability. Rich in minerals but weak in governance, the…
read moreSince the advent of democracy in 1994, Pretoria has invested heavily in cultivating influence through multilateralism and moral leadership. From strengthening SADC and AU institutions to championing reform of UN governance and global financial architecture, to activism in BRICS, South Africa has sought to position itself as a principled voice for the Global South. Its…
read moreThe South African Communist Party (SACP) has long styled itself as the ideological conscience of the South Africa’s liberation movement, led by the ANC. Since the democratic transition of 1994, it has remained anchored in the Tripartite Alliance with the ANC and the trade-union federation COSATU. Within the Alliance, the SACP has shaped debates on…
read moreOn 9 September, during the quarterly oral question and answer session at the National Assembly, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the members of parliament (MPs) on the state of South Africa’s trade initiatives and strategies post the 30% tariffs imposed on South Africa by the United States. Ramaphosa underscored two critical strategies for enhancing economic resilience:…
read moreRecently a number of multinational corporations, such as ArcelorMittal South Africa, Glencore, Rio Tinto, and Goodyear have announced either exits or large-scale downsizing of their South African operations. While the reasons cited range from global restructuring to sector-specific challenges, common themes emerge: declining profitability in the local market, energy insecurity, infrastructure backlogs, and regulatory uncertainty.…
read moreFor nearly four years, the Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped geopolitics, cost hundreds of thousands of lives, and destabilised global markets. To the casual observer, the U.S. involvement in the conflict seems selfless; an embattled democracy supporting another against authoritarian aggression. Former president Joe Biden framed his policy in moral terms, pledging to support Ukraine “for…
read moreMeaningful public participation and parliamentary oversight are the cornerstones of democratic governance in South Africa. When Parliament fails in these duties, the judiciary often intervenes, sometimes with significant consequences for legislation, governance, and the separation of powers. From the Nkandla saga, State Capture and several bills, the judiciary has also found itself encroaching into the…
read moreUnited States’ (U.S.) President Donald Trump has been back in the White House for just seven months, and during this time, he has not hesitated to fulfil some of his electoral promises, including mass deportations and addressing what he had termed the unfair trade practices on the U.S. by nearly every country that does business…
read moreOn 7 July 2025, the BRICS summit concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with 11 countries agreeing on a joint declaration encompassing 126 commitments covering global governance, finance, health, artificial intelligence, and climate change. The summit took place against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump having taken a hostile position against the bloc, firstly…
read moreThe allegations made at a Sunday 6 July 2025 press conference by KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi are nothing short of seismic; a no-holds-barred exposé accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of having ties to corrupt businessmen, meddling in criminal investigations, and suppressing prosecutions. Mkhwanazi claims that the work of the KZN’s Political…
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