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Democracy

Beware the strongman: People are being walked into the dark
Thought Leader
/ 13 May 2025

Beware the strongman: People are being walked into the dark

When strongmen with nationalistic and populist tendencies begin to dominate politics, we should be worried.

By Jo-Mangaliso Mdhlela
eSwatini’s 20 years of constitutionalism characterised by a crackdown on freedom of expression
Thought Leader
/ 8 May 2025

eSwatini’s 20 years of constitutionalism characterised by a crackdown on freedom of expression

The country’s revival of the Sedition and Subversion Act is a revival of a colonial law that stifles human rights.

By Melusi Simelane
South Africa has an undignified democracy
Opinion
/ 7 May 2025

South Africa has an undignified democracy

Thirty years on, the patience of the poor is wearing thin as they are subjected to tardy, disrespectful service

By Ali Ridha Khan
Inkululeko a promise deferred
Opinion
/ 3 May 2025

Inkululeko a promise deferred

South Africa’s liberation struggle may have brought democracy, but it did not bring freedom

By Mmabatho Mongae
We celebrate May Day and Freedom Day but SA’s working class is still unfree
Opinion
/ 30 April 2025

We celebrate May Day and Freedom Day but SA’s working class is still unfree

About 32% of the population is unemployed; of the employed, 35.9% are in informal work; and of the formally employed, nearly 40% earn less than R3,500 a month

By Mbuso Ngubane
Mandela, punishment and the tragedy of forgetting
Thought Leader
/ 16 April 2025

Mandela, punishment and the tragedy of forgetting

We must never forget the past injuries and injustices of apartheid.

By Bukelani Mboniswa
Democracy on the line in global economic trade stand-off
Opinion
/ 10 April 2025

Democracy on the line in global economic trade stand-off

Donald Trump’s executive orders are of dubious constitutionality, having violated civil rights of federal workers, weaponised immigration laws and limited Congress’s powers over the budget

By Ursula van Beek
Open Society Foundations adapts to a new world
National
/ 29 March 2025

Open Society Foundations adapts to a new world

The George Soros-founded private funder says it does not have the capacity to fill the void left by USAid cuts

By Umamah Bakharia
Violence against journalists can’t be normalised
Editorial
/ 28 March 2025

Violence against journalists can’t be normalised

This year, Donald Trump’s antipathy to the media has manifested into a more focused, deliberate assault on press freedom and procedures

By Editorial
Multilateral world must address global threats as alliance of democracies breaks down
Thought Leader
/ 26 March 2025

Multilateral world must address global threats as alliance of democracies breaks down

The land of the free is no more with the judiciary, an independent media, the rollback of discrimination based on race, ethnicity and gender and progressive educational institutions under attack

By Ursula van Beek
Jazz in the key of freedom
Friday
/ 20 March 2025

Jazz in the key of freedom

Kesivan Naidoo blends local jazz with global influences to mark 30 years of democracy

By Kibo Ngowi
The era of misinformation and disinformation is a global crisis
Thought Leader
/ 11 February 2025

The era of misinformation and disinformation is a global crisis

The battle against this manipulation is collective, requiring unified action from all who seek to preserve democracy and human rights

By Melusi Simelane
January 20 is the embodiment of national grief, as well as the invincible will of the Azerbaijani people
Partner Content
/ 17 January 2025

January 20 is the embodiment of national grief, as well as the invincible will of the Azerbaijani people

January 20, 1990 is one of the most tragic yet simultaneously heroic and valiant chapters in the history of the Azerbaijani people

By Marion Smith
Democracies must adapt in the age of disinformation
Opinion
/ 16 November 2024

Democracies must adapt in the age of disinformation

Democracy’s advantages must be articulated in the face of false information but delivering benefits is the best way to secure democratic governance

By Nnaemeka Ohamadike and Mark Duerksen
Gaza and the US elections: Harris is a flawed but better alternative to Trump
Thought Leader
/ 28 October 2024

Gaza and the US elections: Harris is a flawed but better alternative to Trump

Ultimately, a vote for Harris is a vote against the extremism and corruption of Trump, but it is not necessarily a vote for a more just or ethical foreign policy

By Sibahle Zuma
100 Days of GNU: South Africa’s ‘forced marriage’ is working for the country
Thought Leader
/ 20 October 2024

100 Days of GNU: South Africa’s ‘forced marriage’ is working for the country

Ministers from various parties at national level are taking their portfolios seriously and working together

By Noluthando Dlamini and Enzokuhle Sabela
African nations must push for homegrown solutions to the continent’s problems
Thought Leader
/ 17 October 2024

African nations must push for homegrown solutions to the continent’s problems

The financial resources for solutions must also be sourced from within the continent, allowing Africa to maintain control over its destiny

By Mpilo Cele
Diary: Ardmore Studio’s Armoured Warriors, Nominations open for Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, Javett-UP presents We, The Purple this September
Friday
/ 20 September 2024

Diary: Ardmore Studio’s Armoured Warriors, Nominations open for Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards, Javett-UP presents We, The Purple this September

Your essential dose of art and culture

By Lesego Chepape
A tribute to PG – always the activist and the people’s leader
Opinion
/ 19 September 2024

A tribute to PG – always the activist and the people’s leader

Pravin Gordhan’s contribution included the negotiated transition to democracy, the new Constitution and the transformation of the state apparatus and the public sector

By Dipak Patel
With the rise in right-wing populism, democracy around the world is weakened
Opinion
/ 15 September 2024

With the rise in right-wing populism, democracy around the world is weakened

South Africa stands out as a country that strongly defends democracy

By Ursula van Beek
Trevor Manuel: Pravin Gordhan bowed out with courage
National
/ 13 September 2024

Trevor Manuel: Pravin Gordhan bowed out with courage

The former finance minister recalled Gordhan’s role in mobilising broad-based protest against apartheid and state capture

By Emsie Ferreira
US mustn’t undermine SA foreign policy
Opinion
/ 6 September 2024

US mustn’t undermine SA foreign policy

An American Bill’s call for a review of US-SA bilateral relations is likely over policy differences.

By Shannon Ebrahim
National dialogue: We need to think and work together to realise the South Africa we yearned for
Opinion
/ 29 August 2024

National dialogue: We need to think and work together to realise the South Africa we yearned for

The Strategic Dialogue Group and foundations named after the country’s leaders believe that South Africa can move beyond the paralysis in social, economic, political and governance spheres and national despair

By Percy Mahlathi
Dialogue for democracy: We need to deliver the Bill of Rights
Opinion
/ 14 August 2024

Dialogue for democracy: We need to deliver the Bill of Rights

The national dialogue is more than a discussion, it is our chance to forge a path towards a more just, equitable and democratic South Africa

By Christo van der Rheede and Ismail Joosub
Diary: She Fest comes to Constitutional Hill, Soweto’s Buskaid String Ensemble in concert,  Lu Dlamini to perform at UKZN
Friday
/ 5 August 2024

Diary: She Fest comes to Constitutional Hill, Soweto’s Buskaid String Ensemble in concert,  Lu Dlamini to perform at UKZN

Your essential dose of art and culture

By Lesego Chepape
GNU must reignite the culture of democracy
Opinion
/ 30 July 2024

GNU must reignite the culture of democracy

As authoritarianism entrenches itself globally, it is vital that South Africa inspires a return of accountability and participation

By Ross Harvey
Freedom of choice in Rwanda’s presidential elections is an illusion
Opinion
/ 30 July 2024

Freedom of choice in Rwanda’s presidential elections is an illusion

President Paul Kagame may have revived the country after the 1994 genocide but his actions have prevented any meaningful opposition and accusations of intimidation, torture and assassination

By Nyasha Mcbride Mpani and Tendai Murisa
Trump shooting is a symptom of our failure to talk
Thought Leader
/ 17 July 2024

Trump shooting is a symptom of our failure to talk

Words are important. Our failure to wield them responsibly has put us on a path to vitriol and violence

By Nontobeko Hlela
Parliamentary democracy in Uganda needs rekindling
Opinion
/ 12 July 2024

Parliamentary democracy in Uganda needs rekindling

The representatives of the people in parliament need to be free to speak out

By Robert Kigongo
Why the allure of the ‘Rwanda Model’ is misplaced
Opinion
/ 11 July 2024

Why the allure of the ‘Rwanda Model’ is misplaced

Dropping democracy for aspirant autocrats who will put everything in order with a big stick might not be all it’s cracked up to be

By Ross Harvey
Local government reform: strengthening democracy in a coalition era
Opinion
/ 4 July 2024

Local government reform: strengthening democracy in a coalition era

With the advent of coalition politics at local and national level, policies are needed that help to maintain stability

By Siphesihle Mbhele
Mother City: A powerful documentary exposing Cape Town’s racial and economic inequality
Friday
/ 14 June 2024

Mother City: A powerful documentary exposing Cape Town’s racial and economic inequality

Six years in the making, the pair’s film explores racial and economic inequality in Cape Town

By Charles Leonard
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