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Mail & Guardian
democracylatest news & developments

Minding the language gap: Why ordinary citizens are thrown under the train

The Botmaskop dispute in Stellenbosch reveals a significant gap between what authorities intend, what they write, and what the public can reasonably understand. This article…

The plight of Erias Lukwago and the price of dissent in the Pearl of Africa

Former Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago's court appearance has gone viral, showing him pleading for bail to seek urgent medical attention as his health declines. Despite his desperate…

Cyril Ramaphosa: waiting for the birth of that constitution

As the world awaited South Africa's new constitution, a last-minute scramble unfolded behind closed doors. With red carpets laid and choirs ready, the nation held its breath as…

South Africa’s SADC’s moment

As South Africa prepares to host the 46th SADC Summit in Durban, the article reflects on the state of democracy in the region and SADC's challenges in upholding its commitments.…

Gagged: UPDF soldiers deployed at the Daily Monitor’s headquarters in
Namuwongo after a June 28 military raid. Photo: Supplied

Independent media freedom under siege

Uganda's only boldly independent media institutions, Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda, were forcibly shut down by military operatives on orders from General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. This…

Ten years after July 15, NATO still prefers silence over truth

As NATO's 32 member countries gather in Ankara for their 36th summit, hosted at Turkey's Presidential Complex, the event coincides with the tenth anniversary of Turkey's failed…

Daily Monitor and NTV Ordeal: It’s Either Press Freedom or Nothing

The ongoing siege against Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda has sparked concerns about press freedom and independent journalism in the country. A recent meeting involving National…

Black-on-black persecution: An Operation Dudula demonstration in the Eastern Cape. Photo: Operation Dudula

Testing the will of the people: The state-citizen confrontation in South Africa

The rise of anti-illegal immigration movements like Operation Dudula and March and March signals a critical moment for South African democracy, highlighting deep-seated…

The Freedom Charter turns a rocky 71

As the Freedom Charter marks 71 years since its adoption, this article reflects on its profound vision for a society founded on equality, citizenship, and shared prosperity, and…

Ethiopia: In the final phase of dialogue

Ethiopia, a nation with a rich history of independence and unique socio-political culture, is now in the final phase of an unprecedented national dialogue. The Ethiopian National…

Malawian nationals are gathered to board bases home.

South Africa’s crisis of state authority and when citizens begin deporting people

South Africa is grappling with a crisis that extends beyond immigration, questioning the very essence of governance. Anti-immigration groups like Operation Dudula and March and…

Leadership: South African voters must move beyond personality-driven politics and adopt a more disciplined, evidence-based approach. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

How can South African voters avoid electing a Trump-like leader?

Drawing parallels with Donald Trump's presidency, this article explores the potential emergence of a similar leader in South Africa and outlines critical steps citizens can take…

Youth unemployment remains very high. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Same fight, different adversary: From political oppression in 1976 to economic exclusion in 2026

South Africa commemorates 32 years of democracy, 50 years since the Soweto uprising, and 30 years since its progressive Constitution. Yet, despite political freedom, the nation's…

The youth of 1976 fought for democracy. The youth of 2026 are fighting for it to deliver. File Photo

They told us we were the future. Then they stole it

This article reflects on the unfulfilled promises of democracy for young people, fifty years after the Soweto Uprising. It highlights how youth globally bear the brunt of…

Dying breed: In the 1980s and early 1990s, labour reporting formed an important part of South African
journalism. Photo: Supplied

May Day and the disappearance of the labour beat

As the country marks another May Day, the central question is not nostalgia for an earlier media moment. It is whether democratic communication can still make workers visible in…

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a keynote address at the 2026 Freedom Day National Commemoration held at Dr Rantlai Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, Free State Province, marking the 32nd anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections held on 27 April 1994. (GCIS)

Ramaphosa calls for ‘real change’ as SA marks 32 years of democracy

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s democracy must be measured by its ability to deliver real, material improvements in people’s lives

In need of work opportunities: Job seekers gathered outside a store in Tswelopele, Tembisa, to apply for
employment. Photo: Twitter / X

SA marks 32 years of democracy amid deep inequality and joblessness

South Africa’s 32nd Freedom Day highlights both democratic gains and ongoing struggles with inequality, unemployment and poverty

Against the odds: South Africa’s democracy has matured in visible and subtle ways, the Constitution enshrined gender equality,  expanded access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.  Photo: ConCourt

Three  decades on: Assessing South Africa’s Progress since 1994

The democratic breakthrough of 1994 stands as one of the most significant political achievements of the modern era. Against the odds, South Africa chose negotiation over civil…

Mashatile honours Mosiuoa Lekota as a giant who carried the torch of freedom

Known for speaking truth to power, Lekota’s contributions to democracy, education and social development have left an indelible mark on South Africa’s journey toward equality and…

Karin Mitchell’s The High Treason Club reconstructs South Africa’s Boeremag trial, revealing extremist plots, ideological fervour and the fragility of democracy

Reckoning with South Africa’s white supremacist threat

Karin Mitchell’s The High Treason Club reconstructs South Africa’s Boeremag trial, revealing extremist plots, ideological fervour and the fragility of democracy