Creator
Lisa Thompson
Lisa Thompson is a political economist and public-sector reform analyst at the University of the Western Cape
Brics, G20 and Trump 2.0: A new geostrategic balance of power?
China’s changing priorities towards funding African development through smaller projects show a possible willingness to adapt to African priorities and economic needs.
China-Africa forum 2024: A watershed re-alignment of the Global South?
It appears that China is pushing for a relationship with Africa that will increase its geopolitical clout in the international arena
Transformation of South Africa’s foreign policy through Brics – why Putin tips the scales
With geopolitical tensions rising, whether the Russian president himself finally decides to stay at home or not, all eyes will be on Ramaphosa in the coming weeks
Is Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone sustainable? A UN team is investigating
There are questions about its sustainability and effect on the environment
UN Development Programme South Africa backs ‘dirty’ Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone
The SEZ in Limpopo’s Vhembe district will still be fuelled by a coal-fired power plant
Final rubber stamp for the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone travesty
It is unconscionable in terms of climate change that the zone is going ahead with a coal plant at its epicentre.
MMSEZ authorities dodge every question about livelihoods threats, climate change, water scarcity and more
MMSEZ chief executive Lehlogonolo Masoga, the Limpopo Economic Development Agency and the consulting agency Enviroxcellence failed to address the concerns of people living in the…
Geostrategic fault lines show up at the annual Brics summit
While the summit leaders solemnly swear that they are singing off the same struggle song sheet towards progressive development, the bloc’s leaders’ solidarity is mostly skin-deep
Controversial Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone gets green light
Environmentalists are up in arms over the decision
Out of the arson and looting come glimmers of light
Civilians working together signals the possible germination of a deeply embedded democratic culture where ethnicity no longer divides
Musina-Makhado metallurgical zone revision a back-peddle or a back door?
The environmental and social impact of the special economic zone has been reduced, but Chinese investment and loans haven’t been disclosed, job creation is uncertain, and water…
Public participation is a farce in Musina-Makhado project
Information is not getting to the right people or places as voices of discontent are getting louder
State pushes ahead with its toxic zone
The controversial Musina-Makhando initiative will pollute air and water, push climate change and produce dangerous quantities of hazardous waste
Muddying the waters in the Musina Makhado economic zone
The public participation process on the environmental impact assessment for the area’s special economic zone has been shambolic
Cyril’s industrial reboot will not drive economy to success
The president disclosed a development U-turn but the Special Economic Zones and China’s carbon intensive interests are likely to prevail