Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Township

latest news & developments
Reclaiming heritage: Koketso Mohlala crafts and walks with her Pedi heritage unapologetically intact, shining a light on Africa’s pride and beauty through Ditsala Designs. Photos: Supplied
AFRICAN LUXURY

Bold. African. Unapologetic.

Koketso Mohlala challenges Western beauty standards and shines a global spotlight on authentic African craftsmanship

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
6 min read
Dr Sipho Sithole
AFRICA

From Umlazi to Washington DC: Dr. Sipho Sithole’s journey of teaching isiZulu abroad

At Howard University, Dr. Sipho Sithole is reshaping global perspectives on Zulu culture — one classroom, conversation, and cultural exchange at a tim

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
6 min read
On the right page: Children’s book author and executive director of Nal’ibali, Lorato Trok. Photo: Supplied
AFRIKAANS

Lorato Trok: Writing our languages back into the story

Author speaks of her dedication to keeping indigenous languages alive through children’s books and her hopes for the growth of South African languages

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
8 min read
Art of protest: Vaal Generationperformed at Artists Against Corruption’s show. Photo: JS Design
ACTIVE CITIZENRY

Fighting corruption through the arts

United by poems, plays and passion, artists tackle corruption head-on at a Joburg performance

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
7 min read
Take that: Siyabonga Mhlanga and Lehlohonolo Sigaba were the first Africans to be invited to the Le Cinéma, Cent Ans de Jeunesse festival for young filmmakers in Lisbon, Portugal.
AFRICAN CINEMA

‘We killed it with our doccie’

Youngsters’ film about Thokoza gets an enthusiastic reception at a festival in Portugal

  • Tebadi Mmotla
4 min read
Nombulelo Gladys Mbande, 55, who is responsible for the nursery at Sozama Pre-school in KwaNobuhle township, Kariega, plays with children outside the building. The school is located opposite a dumping site where residents throw rubbish, dead-dogs and nappies.
CHILDREN

Child deaths reveal neglect of townships

The quality of life of poor South Africans over the past 30 years continues to be ignored

  • Oyisa Sondlo
6 min read
Strapped: As the cost of living rises more low- and middle-income people are shopping locally. Photo: Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images
ACE MAIZE MEAL AND OROS FRUIT JUICES

Corporates move into township economy

Tiger Brands and delivery services such as Uber Eats are targeting this growing market

  • Anathi Madubela
6 min read
Culture on the street: The art gallery, 16 on Lerotholi in Langa, was founded by Thulani Fesi, Khanyo Ngcukana Shaun Williams and Mpilo Ngcukana. The gallery is collaborating with architect, Inam Kula on a collective memory exhibition of the township, which will be showcased later this year at the gallery. Photo: Dillon Marsh
CAPE TOWN

Lest we forget: Remember Langa’s history during the township’s centenary celebrations

The celebrations will focus on the many people who have contributed to the South Africa that we have

  • Inam Kula
  • Mpilo Ngcukana
5 min read
The last time the country experienced load-shedding at stage six was at the end of November 2023 (Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
LOAD SHEDDING

Township residents without power for three years

Beleaguered residents of Palm Springs in the Emfuleni local municipality in Gauteng have been living without electricity and with sewage running in the streets

  • Magnificent Mndebele
5 min read
Small businesses are central to South Africa’s economic resilience and recovery and corporates should work with them. Photo: David Harrison/M&G
CAPE FLATS

It’s a Khaltsha thing: Khayelitsha’s growing middle class

In a few years the township will ‘disappear’, and Khayelitsha will become a city, believes one local entrepreneur

  • Eunice Masson
6 min read
DIY style: Fernando Mkhabela uses material he collects from the scrapyard across the road to furnish his shack in Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town. (David Harrison/M&G)
JOE SLOVO PARK

Welcome to Fernando’s swanky shack in Joe Slovo Park

Fernando Mkhabela has transformed the interior of his modest home into a luxury five-star habitat

  • Eunice Masson
3 min read
Phillipi township. Photo: David Harrison/M&G
BUSINESS

Nurture the formidable entrepreneurial spirit of SA’s township women

Many don’t have a formal education or business literacy but they support their families and create opportunities for others

  • Catherine Sofianos
5 min read
Volunteers and local workers take part in the clean up operation at the looted Bara Mall in Soweto, on July 15, 2020. – Many South Africans, taking matters into their own hands in a country where few rely on a chronically failing state, have started to clean up and repair. And the South African presidency even tweeted its thanks to “those who clean up”. (Photo by LUCA SOLA / AFP)
ESKOM

Rebuttal: Township malls should be rebuilt

Tshepo Mokholo’s article on township malls misses some Kasi’s economic and social points

  • Mabu Raphotle
5 min read
Volunteers and local workers take part in the clean up operation at the looted Bara Mall in Soweto, on July 15, 2020. – Many South Africans, taking matters into their own hands in a country where few rely on a chronically failing state, have started to clean up and repair. And the South African presidency even tweeted its thanks to “those who clean up”. (Photo by LUCA SOLA / AFP)
ZUMAUNREST

Township reconstruction: The blueprint for a post-looting economy

Don’t rebuild malls. They draw in a lot of energy and money, but give back little

  • Tshepo Mokholo
7 min read
Prolific: In the early 1970s Gibson Kente’s work became overtly political
BLACK REVIEW

Look back to live forward

After being asked to imagine a different ikasi, Lehlohonolo Peega questions our memory

  • Lehlohonolo Peega
3 min read