Behind the high-fives

If there was gain, there was pain too for students on the UFS leadership programme.

The difficulties of diversity

It was a challenging week for University of the Free State students visiting New York.

UFS Diaries of Change

The M&G has accompanied 116 UFS students to the US on a new leadership programme introduced after the notorious Reitz residence video.

Towards schooling that transforms

The education we offer many learners is not providing an escape from poverty.

Food, fuel shock can 'wreck exchequer'

Africa's cocoa makes the world's chocolate, its fish, fruit and vegetables reach tables around the globe and its oil powers vehicles and factories from China to the United States. Yet far from benefiting from soaring commodity prices, African states are being squeezed as hard as any by the costs of fuel and food imports.

Improve South Africa's UN role

At the United Nations this month, the spotlight will be on South Africa as the new president of the Security Council for April. At the Human Rights Council in Geneva in April, the country will also take centre stage as one of the first countries to participate in the new Universal Periodic Review of its human-rights performance.

Economic woes dampen Davos party

The annual Davos gathering of the world's political and business elite opened on Wednesday with the fragile state of the world economy and stock-market turmoil casting a pall over the glitzy get-together. In recent years the annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort has been held against a backdrop of bumper corporate profits, strong economic growth and tame inflation.

Censorship at the US border

The United States government is afraid of ideas. At least it seems that way at the border. Over the past six years, numerous scholars, writers and human rights activists have found themselves suddenly barred from entering the US. Most happen to be vocal critics of Washington's foreign policy, many are Muslim, writes Melissa Goodman.

How to solve Afghanistan's opium crisis

The United Nations reported on Monday that there had been a "frightening" explosion in opium production in Afghanistan with Helmand province, where Britain has 7 000 troops deployed, leading the way. A record crop means that the country now accounts for 93% of the world's supply and the situation is getting worse daily despite billions being spent to eradicate the trade since 2001.

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