May 19, 2022
South Africa: Sibongile Mani Doesn't Deserve a Tarnished Name
The student convicted of spending financial aid money that wasn't hers has been granted leave to appeal her five-year prison sentence. It is a step towards justice, dignity and… Read more »
South Africa: Sakhile - a Singular Band Remembered 40 Years On
Making music to respond to the times, the popular group left a huge legacy despite not fitting prescribed notions of what jazz at the time should sound like. Read more »
May 18, 2022
South Africa: We Need a President - Woman or Man - Who Cares
Having a woman leader of the country would show a shift in gender equity, but more than that, South Africa needs someone morally unimpeachable who listens to the impoverished. Read more »
South Africa: Saxophonist Shannon Mowday Bridges the Gender Gulf
The multidisciplinary initiative Bridge Over Me Too works to confront the sexist prejudices of jazz classrooms and stages to create space for everyone. Read more »
South Africa: Lwandile Simelane Wants to Get Sport Back On Track
Sascoc's first vice-president is happy to deal with the 'nice, boring, interesting stuff' that is sports governance if it means creating opportunities and incomes for South… Read more »
May 17, 2022
Mali: Govt Ejects French Forces Amid Serious Challenges
The fractious relationship between the two countries has reached a new low with France being ordered to leave immediately. This has many implications for the strife-torn region. Read more »
South Africa: Inclusive Education Unrealised After 21 Years
Published in 2001, the white paper for inclusive education is yet to be passed into law, leaving disabled learners without access to schools and with little legal recourse. Read more »
South Africa: Yes, We Can!
Siphiwo Mahala's biography of Can Themba, the Drum-generation journalist and short-story writer, is a kind of resurrection, underlining how his work is both vital and enduring. Read more »
South Africa: Shack Dwellers Face Wrath of Pimville Residents
Growing frustration over high levels of crime, especially electricity cable theft, has resulted in the Chicken Farm community being blamed amid a rise in xenophobia. Read more »
May 16, 2022
Congo-Kinshasa: Kinshasa's Fulu Miziki Are Sonic Explorers
Fulu Miziki spent the Covid lockdown refining, isolating and recording their handcrafted instruments, resulting in their truly spectacular Ngbaka EP. Read more »
Congo-Kinshasa: DRC Queer Rights Activist Forced to Go Into Hiding
The Congolese advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights has been living in fear after spurious charges of 'promoting homosexuality' led the police to her door. Read more »
South Africa: Bradley Carnell's Shot At Us Footballing Greatness
St Louis City's head coach has the opportunity to build a legacy from scratch at the midwest club, the latest franchise added to the United States' Major League Soccer. Read more »
May 15, 2022
South Africa: Cape Town Train Improvements a Slow Chug
Commuters like the two new 'people's trains' but still have to deal with delays and no-shows, safety issues and their employers' ire when they're held up getting to work. Read more »
May 13, 2022
South Africa: Political Killings Plague Nation's Public Life
Political killings have become an all too common tool of control in South Africa. It is essential that this grim reality is recognised and opposed. Read more »
South Africa: Digital Switch Will Leave Millions Without TV
The analogue television signal will be turned off on 30 June in a move that will bar impoverished households from access and sink community television stations. Read more »
South Africa: Workers At Arcelormittal Refuse to Budge Over Wages
The steel manufacturer's decision to seek an interdict preventing some of its employees from taking part in the national strike has aggravated Numsa, which says it won't back down… Read more »
South Africa: Slain Ekhenana Activist Nokuthula Mabaso Remembered
A leader of the commune's food sovereignty projects, the fearless Mabaso had given most of her adult life to improving the socioeconomic circumstances of her fellow residents. Read more »
Uganda/South Africa: David Obua's South African Legacy
The Ugandan footballer paved the way for his countrymen when his skills on the pitch got Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates vying to sign him in the mid-2000s. Read more »
South Africa: Statement of Solidarity With Abahlali Basemjondolo
Noam Chomsky, Ruth Wilson Gilmour and others pledge their support for the shack dwellers' movement and call for solidarity in the wake of the assassination of Nokuthula Mabaso. Read more »
Africa: New Shane Cooper & Mabuta Album Gets Into the Groove
With the band's second release, Finish the Sun, the bandleader finds inspiration anew in rediscovering his love of the guitar. As a result, he leans into funk and African groove. Read more »
May 12, 2022
South Africa: Neighbours Reach Out to Help Homeless Flood Victims
In community shelters all over the eThekwini metro, kind-hearted residents who have very little themselves manage to find ways to help their stricken neighbours. Read more »
South Africa: The Album the Stones Pulled Out of the Basement
Recorded in debauchery at a French villa, Exile on Main Street has been trashed, dismissed, hailed and revered in the 50 years since its release in 1972. Read more »
South Africa: Charlotte Maxeke Hospital Reopens... Barely
The Johannesburg hospital has started reopening as the fire damage is repaired but delays, security issues and dubious health and safety compliance are affecting staff retention. Read more »
South Africa: A Story Like One's Own
In Text Messages this week, Arthur Miller's classic play The Crucible reminds us of the imperishable value of conscience, integrity and keeping one's good name. Read more »
May 11, 2022
South Africa: No Money to Pay You, Apartheid Survivors Are Told
Activists demanding reparations for apartheid crimes finally met with the justice minister, who informed them that the TRC list of beneficiaries will not be expanded. Read more »