Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Peter Vale

Creator

Peter Vale

Guest Author

Photographer Zanele Muholi’s new book of portraits gives visual voice to the plight of ‘queer’ black women.

Old-world diction, flawed punditry and the fight for Zimbabwe’s future

The single greatest failure of current punditry is the refusal to recognise that context matters.

Spy: Uncovering Craig Williamson by Jonathan Ancer

Apartheid spy Williamson’s dark heart exposed

"Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Ancer’s goal is clear … He wants to expose the man on the cover in all his infamy to set himself free"

There is a dark, manipulative side to publishing.

The pressure to publish is punitive: systems that control publishing choke creativity

Publishing in the academic world is extremely important, but why does it seem to be such a long, winding and twisted process?

Young people don’t always know exactly what they want to study

Say it in plain (African) language

Pam Maseko, a senior lecturer in African language studies at Rhodes, tells Peter Vale about the fight for greater recognition of our languages.

It’s time SA’s foreign policy was driven by ideas (again)

Over the past two decades, it has not been easy for any country – let alone a newly freed one – to understand the rapidly changing world.

The lesson of 2010 has not been learnt

Our education system is crying out for the resources eThekwini’s 2022 Commonwealth Games will consume.

A discussion paper on best practice for mining in the SADC region found that Zambia disregarded expert advice and mining developments were being permitted in protected areas of high biodiversity call. Pictured: Equinox copper mine in Zambia

What South Africa will be sacrificing by hosting the Commonwealth Games

By investing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, South Africa will be sacrificing investment in pressing societal needs, such as schooling.

Centre of excellence: The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study has attracted leading scholars from all over the world.

Build new communities of knowledge

Spaces need scholars to deliberate in community and pursue crossdisciplinary work.

Voting in the KwaMashu area proceeded normally.

A dagger at the heart of varsity study in international relations

Increasingly we live in security states and power lies with those who draw the borders.

The strike

Wanted: Leaders to heal SA

We need young people who are not afraid to stick to their convictions and who will put the people first.

A report has argued for an increase in the minimum time for degree and diploma programmes.

The old Wall fell, but new ones rise up

The fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago has not led to the better world many hoped its collapse foretold.

Romantic idealist: Professor Craig Calhoun says that universities should be reinvented

‘Fight back!’ Universities must put teaching at their front and centre

What futures do varsities globally have? Peter Vale interviewed Craig Calhoun, director of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nusas, justice and rock ‘n roll

Glenn Moss invites us to think of students as agents who can determine their own political destiny

Market killed the university star

A new book provides a useful critique of the impact the economic-centred society is having on the purpose of higher-education institutions.

May I suggest, Deputy Minister

Peter Vale writes an open letter to focus the new incumbent’s priorities and tasks.

Championing education as we did the World Cup

If we were able to rise to the occasion of football’s greatest spectacle, surely we should be able to focus the same energy in improving education.

Asmal’s biography sheds light on lessons that go unlearned

Kader Asmal’s biography prompts questions about how seriously politicians take higher education.

In search of a common language

A journey Down Under is cause for reflection on the kind of legacy prosperity brings.

A complex life well lived

A complex life well lived

Accomplished philosopher Paul Cilliers still had his best work ahead of him

Academic luggage unpacked

Academic luggage unpacked

From home renovations to book sales: A week in the life of a relocated academic.