Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Thought Leader

What’s driving anti-immigrant healthcare blockades? Sharon Ekambaram from Lawyers for Human Rights says it’s everything from the sky-high cost of Zimbabwean passports and corruption to South Africa’s institutionalised xenophobia — and a growing global intolerance of migrants. (Bhekisisa team)

The migrant and the citizen: we need new forms of political community

As June 30 draws closer, the detonator is in our collective hands. We do not have to blow up either ferry. We can demand that the state does its job properly through accountable, lawful channels rather than ceding ground to street ultimatums. Photo: Action SA

The June 30 ultimatum: Which ferry will South Africa choose?

Inspired by the Joker's sadistic social experiment in The Dark Knight, this article explores South Africa's current moral dilemma as a…

NSFAS has been placed under administration amid governance and audit failures, with professor Hlengani Mathebula appointed to stabilise student funding operations .

What a functioning NSFAS could mean for South Africa

Dr. Randall Carolissen, former NSFAS Administrator, shares his insights on the institution's past failures, hard-won successes, and the critical reforms still required to ensure…

Are we proud of a nation where foreigners live in fear?

Hundreds of African refugees and asylum seekers are camped outside Durban's Refugee Reception Centre, living in fear of xenophobic attacks and a looming 'deadline'. This report…

All-new AI.

AI is reshaping the workplace faster than graduates expect

Global companies are rapidly integrating AI and increasing investment, with demand for AI skills soaring. For South African graduates, this means AI fluency is now a baseline…

A crisis in restitution cases: an imbalance in the scales of justice

South Africa's land restitution landscape is plagued by a three-decade-long crisis in the Land Court, where justice often depends on available resources rather than the merits of…

Malawi bets again on digital taxes after first system faltered

Malawi is implementing a new digital tax system, the Electronic Invoicing System, for the second time in a decade, aiming for improved compliance and higher revenue. While…

Bafana Bafana’s historic World Cup run: Pride, progress and the need for ambition

Bafana Bafana made history at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, reaching the knockout stages for the first time and exceeding expectations. This achievement, including qualification ahead…

Beyond upsets: Africa’s new football maturity

The 2026 World Cup marks a historic moment for African football, with a record 10 teams participating and 9 advancing to the Round of 32. This article explores how the…

Cape Verde is redrawing football’s map

Cape Verde's football team, the Blue Sharks, has emerged as a serious force on the global stage, challenging traditional hierarchies with their disciplined play and historic…

From strip of road to famous racetrack

Discover the fascinating history of Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town, from its origins as a disused road in 1947 to becoming South Africa's most storied motor racing…

Bafana Bafana's victory over South Korea is about more than football; it is a lesson in believing again

Bafana Bafana's unforgettable victory over South Korea sparked joy and a renewed sense of hope across South Africa. After years of unfulfilled promise, this win signals a…

One kilogram gold bars.

Malawi’s gold reserve strategy reversed amid forex difficulties

The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) sold approximately 590kg of artisanal gold in 2026 to secure funds for fuel imports, despite previous commitments to retain it as a strategic…

Foreign academics are not the problem South African universities need to solve

A parliamentary briefing by Minister Buti Manamela has reignited the debate around foreign academics in South African universities. While public concern about employment is…

Affordable rental housing belongs in the infrastructure conversation

Affordable housing is fundamental to how cities operate, influencing access to work, education, and overall quality of life. This article explores how investment in quality…

Allegations of irregular appointment of a law firm and inflated legal bills rock a North West municipality

Cash-strapped Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality has exceeded its legal budget by more than R4.5 million, with total legal expenditure reaching R7 570 321.48 despite an…

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…

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…

We must question who benefits from black people turning against one another

Makashule Gana of RISE Mzansi questions the systemic failures in South Africa's immigration system, highlighting the ease of illegal entry versus the difficulty of legal…

Violence at home is linked yet protection is not

South African law acknowledges the link between violence against women and children in the same homes, but current systems often split these realities, leaving families to…