Epicurus, Greek classical philosopher, cosmologist, Karl Marx’s influencer and god sceptic, contemplated intelligent life on distant planets. About 2 300 years later the pondering has progressed
As the US president rapidly escalates pressure on South Africa in the name of white citizens, we must stand up for reason and principle
As America’s existential crisis unfolds, the nostalgic yearning for ‘big power’ politics of the Cold War era is rearing its ugly head
The death of the Cold War and the waning influence of the US and Russian might shift geopolitics in a way that Africa could benefit from
Many African countries are anxious not to be sucked into a new Cold War and want to maintain cordial relations with both Russia and the West
Fifty years ago, disco started having an impact. Its influence was felt even in apartheid South Africa
If Donald Trump re-enters the White House after the 5 November elections, countries like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea will be delighted
President Hakainde Hichilema is quickly squandering the respect the country once held on the international stage
Africa’s stock is rising amid the United States’ efforts to wrestle back economic influence on the continent
In a polarised world, Ramaphosa’s administration dodged some fatal bullets in the past five months that carried some hard long-term risks
In the real world, diplomacy is driven by economic interests
The US ambassador’s allegations against South Africa come as a push to expand the Brics bloc’s influence threatens to force a new world order
Much of the global south is neutral on the war in Ukraine, not because they support Russia but because they can’t side with the US and Nato
China’s economic rise and growing footprint presents an alternative to the West
The Angolan autocrat, president from 1979 to 2017, built up the wealth of his family and that of his generals at the expense of the citizens
Even small countries can add their voices to the international attempt to enforce a ban on these devastating weapons that hold the globe captive
The principles of pacifism, justice and international cooperation could help rebalance the scales of global politics away from racist wars and toward a peaceful future
From Russia’s perspective — since the east Slavic state of Kievan-Rus circa 1053 to the betrayals of 1812, 1914 and 1941 and the broken promises from 1994, especially 2008 and 2014 — Ukraine is an integral part of Russia
Ukraine, per se, is not the issue. It is tragically a war-ravaged pawn in a much larger conflict: the decline of one capitalist empire and the rise of yet another.
Russia is at war with Ukraine because it is at war with Nato, which is commanded by the United States
Russia is at war with Ukraine because it is at war with Nato, which is commanded by the United States
In the light of Africa’s history and in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reflecting the East/West divide, the Southern African Development Community must be concerned about security
Aggressive, as opposed to defensive, warfare is a violation of international law. It is this that was used to condemn the apartheid South African Defence Force’s incursions into Angola
Africa is again becoming the stage for the proxy wars of foreign powers
The body’s inaction during the Iraq war and Russia’s annexation of the Crimea makes it weaker when it comes to negotiation peace in the Middle East
The only time change has occurred in South Africa is in response to global events such as World War II. The country is once again facing such an event — Covid-19 — and will have to react
COMMENT: As the US and China battle for global domination, Africa must stand firm, charting its own course
Critiques of corruption must explicitly disrupt corporate globalism, imperialism, racism, authoritarianism, militarism, elitism
and sexism
Africa must be part of developing technology that may make inhabiting the Red Planet possible and help the continent survive climate change
The co-dependent partnership is in the conflict stage and the real decoupling may be between American politicians and the country’s citizens
The world should be wary of creeping autocratisation, even in democratic countries
Russia’s increased presence on the continent is mostly about pursuing lucrative business opportunities