The act of remembrance is the recognition of the futility of war and mourning the loss of men and women whose future ended too soon
Colonialism
Posted inGeneral, News/Politics
From #RhodesMustFall to #LeopoldMustFall
Belgian protests a year ago have many parallels with South Africa’s decolonisation movement
Posted inGeneral
To all South Africans: In memory of who we are
When we critically inspect our histories, none of us come out completely faultless, but we will find something, and we can learn
Posted inEquality, General
We must remember the call for liberation upon which African Day was founded
African Liberation Day has been numbed down to feel-good festivities and colourful clothing, but we must not forget it is a day upon which the path for liberation was declared
Posted inEquality
Land, slavery and cattle matter: To move forward, we need to look back
In a three-part series on South Africa’s land question, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi takes a look at the colonial conquests that drove us here
Posted inEquality, Gender violence
Let’s end our dual heritage of resilience and predation
South Africa needs to address the systems that enable predators of all kinds to delay equity
Posted inNews/Politics
Put in context, Mandela did what he could with what he had
Those who attack his assertions and actions should ask themselves what they have sacrificed for the country they want
Posted inNews/Politics
Africa must lead the way out of the pandemic
The continent, which has survived crushing ordeals brought by colonialism and capitalism, has built up experience in dealing with viral outbreaks such as Ebola
Posted inEquality, News/Politics
High schools must transform and alumni have an important role to play
Sometime this week I saw some profound words that former Model C schools prepare learners for a world that no longer exists. I couldn’t agree more. I follow my alma mater on Facebook: Collegiate High School for Girls in Port Elizabeth. I need to state from the onset that I am incredibly proud of this […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, General
Ubuntu and eco-feminism as an antidote to neoliberalism
How many people have noticed that neoliberal capitalism undermines the values of ubuntu (“I am because others are”) as a traditional African practice? And how many know that ubuntu and ecofeminism share some fundamental principles and values? I know of at least one such person, and her work in this regard is extremely significant. In […]
Posted inEquality, News/Politics
Enough of aid – let’s talk reparations
Colonialism is one of those things you’re not supposed to discuss in polite company — at least not north of the Mediterranean. Most people feel uncomfortable about it, and would rather pretend it didn’t happen. In fact, that appears to be the official position. In the mainstream narrative of international development peddled by institutions like […]
Posted inGeneral
You say I’m not African – but that’s where I’m from?
… And my parents were also born and raised in South Africa? Those were the questions running through my mind during an encounter with a senior member of the English Department, Julia*, at a university here in Auckland where I was studying in 2014. We were pleasantly discussing possible PhD courses I could look at […]