Liesl Louw-Vaudran

Liesl Louw-Vaudran is an independent journalist and Africa expert. She lived in Senegal for many years and has reported from over 20 African countries. She is a regular commentator on African issues in the local and international media. From 2002 to 2008 she was the Africa Editor at Media24 newspapers in South Africa and still contributes to newspapers such as the Mail&Guardian in Johannesburg. Liesl also works as a consultant for the Institute for Security Studies, notably as editor of the African Union Peace and Security Council Report.

Review: The pandemic could change politics as we know it. Here’s a guidebook

Africa Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 11 Apr 2020

Jakkie Cilliers’s book about igniting a growth revolution in Africa has some timely lessons as we seek ways to mitigate the economic effects of Covid-19

A peek into SA’s foreign policy black box

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 9 Jan 2020

South Africa’s foreign policy performance, over its first quarter-century democratic governance, is put under the spotlight

AU weathers Kagame whirlwind

Africa Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 15 Feb 2019

Rwanda’s president put everything into reforming the organisation, with mixed results

Zuma ‘daughter’ courts Morocco

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 7 Apr 2016

Ntombi Msiza claims to represent SA interests in the North African state, despite frosty relations.

African Union hobbled by vested interests

Africa Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 28 Jan 2016

Commission chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has tried to improve it, but the AU is saddled with systemic problems.

Dlamini-Zuma’s hour of reckoning

Africa Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 10 Dec 2015

If she brokers peace in Burundi her return to domestic politics will be triumphant.

Africa seeks better deals with China

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 3 Dec 2015

But the continent does not speak with one voice when meeting and dealing with the Asian giant.

Chad battles HIV in the youth

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 27 Nov 2015

Mani Djelassem works in a centre that helps children with HIV

Will a war on terror work in Africa?

Africa Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 26 Nov 2015

Military intervention may not be the best answer to terrorism in nations such as Mali.

Temporary shadow cast over Africa’s ‘rise’

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 22 May 2015

Migration and its effects are under the spotlight again

Successful Mali raid raises questions about SA hostage

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 9 Apr 2015

Stephen McGowan's family have been asked to keep a low profile after French forces rescued one of his fellow al-Qaeda hostages.

Fate of SA hostage captured in Mali remains unclear

Article Liesl Louw-Vaudran - 7 Apr 2015

Stephen McGowan's whereabouts are unknown despite the release of the Dutch national who was kidnapped alongside him in Timbuktu in 2011.

12 3...6 Page 1 of 6

Press Releases

Special Reports

Touching lives through innovation

special reports - 30 Nov 2020

Africa has a high youth population that adapts to technology quickly, and this phenomenon is something which should be taken advantage of

Special Reports

Festive Reading

special reports - 30 Nov 2020

In The Whistleblowers, Mandy Wiener talks to a wide range of the people who have revealed corruption and malfeasance in government and business

Special Reports

Centre for Women & Gender Studies

special reports - 30 Nov 2020

The CWGS aims to resuscitate the histories of African women from all walks of life in an intellectual cleansing/ukuhlambulula of her story

Special Reports

Greening the Future

special reports - 30 Nov 2020

The awards are a way of encouraging progress and celebrating those who wake up every day and work to make this country a better more sustainable place

Special Reports

Failing to learn the lessons? The impact of Covid-19 on a Broken and Unequal Education System

special reports - 30 Nov 2020

If the president was serious about fixing basic education, he would appoint his most competent minister with a powerful mandate to start fixing it

Special Reports

National Science and Technology Forum

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

It's an independent SETI platform, an essential element of an active democracy and an important part of the collaboration process needed in SETI

Special Reports

Milestones over the NSTF’s 25-year history

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

The organisation celebrates its Silver Jubilee as an established player in the NSI and as promoter and influencer of SET and innovation in South Africa

Special Reports

Huawei Cloud’s Year-End Sales Carnival

special reports - 27 Nov 2020

Massive discounts on hot cloud services are on offer along with special coupons and other privileges, but hurry, supplies are limited!