Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Thought Leader

The weight of a word: Why "Token" is never just a word

A Setswana proverb reminds us that words, once spoken, cannot be recalled. This truth resonated deeply while watching the Madlanga Commission, where the word "token" momentarily…

The ruling government adopted the National Development Plan at the beginning of the past decade, as its plan to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.

The delivery spine: Why strategy alone does not deliver results

Every year, governments, corporations and development institutions invest enormous effort in producing ambitious strategies. National Development Plans are launched. Corporate…

Pan-Africanism cannot begin and end with South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa's address to the Pan-African Parliament offers a balanced perspective on migration, condemning anti-migrant violence while urging African leaders to…

Africa, said demand for metals such as cobalt, copper, nickel, graphite vanadium and platinum group metals

Talks delay Tanzania's Kabanga nickel investment decision to 2027

Negotiations between the Tanzanian government and Lifezone Metals have prolonged the Final Investment Decision for the Kabanga Nickel Project, now expected in Q1 2027. This…

Integrity is good business: Why corruption avoidance creates competitive advantage

Corruption remains a major barrier to economic growth, despite decades of anti-corruption efforts. This article explores how integrity, beyond mere compliance, is becoming a…

M23 rebels in the DRC. (AFP)

The “GENOCOST” and the DRC’s War “Against Rwanda”

"GENOCOST" is a politically constructed conspiracy theory masquerading as historical and legal truth. The term is being promoted by the current Congolese government and amplified…

Auctioning the soul of the World Cup

Fifa's controversial plan to sell stakes in its major competitions, including the World Cup, has ignited fierce opposition from confederations, national associations, and fans…

Graft, stereotyping fit like a glove

Drawing parallels between the acclaimed series The Wire and South Africa's Madlanga Commission, this article delves into the deep-seated issues of corruption, racial…

Donald Trump, the podium photobomber

President Donald Trump's lingering presence at the World Cup trophy ceremony, where Spain defeated Argentina, highlights a political philosophy that blurs public authority with…

Impeachment on contested ground

The Western Cape High Court's decision to grant President Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict has ignited a polarising public debate, with some portraying it as an obstacle to…

Mayor Mamdani as an American African

Explore the evolving meaning of African identity in the 21st century, moving beyond geographical boundaries to encompass a global inheritance. This article delves into the…

Undocumented entry: The state has both the authority and the responsibility to regulate who enters its borders and under what conditions. Photo: IOL

Illegal immigration is symptom of malaise

South Africa is caught in a painful cycle of protests, promises, and unresolved failures regarding illegal immigration. This article argues that the crisis is fundamentally one…

The hotel that built Sol Kerzner

Delve into the untold story of The Beverly Hills Hotel in uMhlanga, South Africa's first five-star graded hotel and the pioneering project that launched Sol Kerzner's legendary…

Cheap labour: March and March is not only about undocumented immigrants. It is about a state and an economy that allowed this to become normal and workers to be exploited. Photo: March and March/Facebook

Citizens’ two faces: humanity in public; greed in private

Many South Africans have witnessed a hidden exploitation: undocumented immigrants trapped in a cycle of 'volunteer slavery'. This article exposes the two-faced attitude of greed…

Not child’s play: Toddlers are all too often caught in the crossfore of this ongoing, deep-
rooted social issue on the Cape Flats.

Fix the boy; save the nation

South Africa grapples with alarmingly high rates of gender-based violence and femicide. This article highlights the critical need to address the root causes of violence by…

From left to right: Agape Hlatshwayo - CFO Danger Escape, Asher Hlatshwayo- CEO Danger Escape, Sello Hatang and Wendy Silinyana- Director  MiniBoss and BigBoss Business School Johannesburg

We shape leaders while they are young

Drawing inspiration from the Setswana proverb 'Le ojwa le sale metsi' (clay is moulded while it is wet), this article argues for the early cultivation of character, confidence,…

The National Democratic Revolution. How Far Have We Come?

Last week, Thabo Mbeki stood before the Thabo Mbeki Foundation's African Renaissance Podcast Seminar and said something the ANC has been saying, in one form or another, for…

How the creative works across Africa help humanise marginalised communities

Explore how contemporary African artists, writers, and filmmakers are challenging stereotypes and giving a voice to marginalised communities, fostering empathy and driving social…

Saving money is a matter of training your brain

The cost of capital: Redefining Africa’s global opportunity

African economies face significantly higher commercial borrowing rates compared to developed nations, hindering growth and investment. However, a new approach is emerging from…

Pet-as-Family Era: People are no more just "pet owner"; they are pet parents who don't put their kid's bed in a random corner; rather, they build them a room. Photo: Denver International Airport/US Department of Energy

Mansions are going to the dogs

The family dog has moved from a kitchen basket to a custom-designed room, complete with tiled floors and a spa. This isn't just a luxury; it's 'Barkitecture', a full-blown design…