Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Thought Leader

Lithium mining in KwaZulu-Natal: ‘They don’t see us as human beings

Residents and civil society organisations are opposing the expansion of SA Lithium's Highbury open pit mine in KwaZulu-Natal. They report environmental degradation, destruction…

RW Johnson dies, still inimical to the post-1994 dispensation

Richard William (RW) Johnson, a leading South African liberal public intellectual, journalist, analyst, and academic, has passed away at his home in Cape Town. Known for his…

Truth, justice and the courage to come clean

The article explores the profound importance of truth under oath in South Africa's criminal justice system, prompted by recent allegations against Andrea Johnson. It examines the…

One kilogram gold bars.

Ghana's gold gamble: Can resource sovereignty coexist with investor confidence?

As gold prices soar and Ghana enjoys record revenues from its vast mineral wealth, the country's government is pursuing an ambitious strategy to ensure more of that wealth…

The European Union exports half of its collected and sorted plastics

A failed plastic levy: The need for a total an on single-use plastic bags

South Africa's 22-year-old plastic levy has failed to curb the 8 billion single-use plastic bags consumed annually, leading to severe environmental and health impacts. This…

Jordaan was arrested on Wednesday on charges of fraud and theft. (File photo)

Football leadership is not a popularity contest

As the race for the presidency of the South African Football Association (SAFA) gains momentum, the future of South African football hangs in the balance. Delegates face a…

Water trucks parked at an empty water reservoir in Midrand.. Photos: Delwyn Verasamy

We are ready to turn the president’s National Water Action Plan into results

Deputy Minister David Mahlobo addresses public skepticism surrounding the National Water Action Plan, outlining the critical state of South Africa's water infrastructure and the…

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…