insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa’s legal team in the genocide case against Israel has won praise. Who are they? By Narnia Bohler-Muller, Human Sciences Research Council South African justice minister Ronald Lamola led a top legal team to argue the country’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 11 January. South Africa argues that Israel’s indiscriminate retaliatory bombing and siege of Gaza contravenes the Genocide Convention. More than 23,000 Palestinians, including at least 10,000 children, have been killed. Narnia Bohler-Muller, an international law […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 10
insert_link Opinion Pieces US election: third party candidates can tip the balance in a tight race – here’s why Robert F Kennedy Jr matters By Thomas Gift, UCL US politics will start with a bang in January 2024. The long-awaited Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries promise to provide early clarity on a likely Donald Trump v Joe Biden rematch for the presidential election this year. But beneath the hoopla of the first-tier White House candidacies will be another race – the sprint to get on the ballot for those not running as Republicans […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 13
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new intelligence bill is meant to stem abuses – what’s good and bad about it By Jane Duncan, University of Glasgow When South Africa became a constitutional democracy in 1994, it replaced its apartheid-era intelligence apparatus with a new one aimed at serving the country’s new democratic dispensation. However, the regime of former president Jacob Zuma, 2009-2018, deviated from this path. It abused the intelligence services to serve his political and allegdly corrupt ends. Now the country is taking steps to remedy the situation. […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 5
insert_link Africa Coca-Cola in Africa: a long history full of unexpected twists and turns By Sara Byala, University of Pennsylvania A new book called Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African tells the story of how the world’s most famous carbonated drink conquered the continent. It’s a tale of marketing gumption and high politics and is the product of years of research by critical writing lecturer Sara Byala, who researches histories of heritage, sustainability and the ways in which capitalist systems intersect with social and […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 14
insert_link Business / Economics Thought leadership By Etienne Steenkamp-franchise director at Pupkewitz Motors Mastering Success: Embracing the Kaizen Way for Continuous Improvement and Innovation Kaizen, a term originating from Japanese meaning "change for the better," embodies a philosophy deeply rooted in the pursuit of constant progress. It's not merely about monumental shifts but the accumulation of small, consistent improvements that elevate various aspects of life over time. Consider the minutiae of a morning routine, organizing […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 1
insert_link Environment How 2023’s record heat worsened droughts, floods and bushfires around the world By Albert Van Dijk, Australian National University 2023 was a year of record-breaking heat, devastating storms and floods, deepening droughts and raging wildfires. These events showed how climate change is affecting the global water cycle and our livelihoods. Our international team of researchers today released a report, the Global Water Monitor, documenting the impact of the record heat in 2023 on the water cycle. We used data from thousands […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 15
insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa’s new plan to end power cuts is seriously flawed. Here’s why By Hartmut Winkler, University of Johannesburg South Africa experienced unprecedented electricity shortages in 2023 as ageing coal plants became increasingly prone to breakdowns. The country urgently needs to develop new electricity generation facilities and reduce reliance on coal power. In the first week of 2024, the South African energy minister, Gwede Mantashe, released a proposed roadmap for the future of electricity in South Africa. Unfortunately, the draft Integrated Resource […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 3
insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa’s Legal Quest at the World Court Could Further Banish Israel Early into the Israel-Hamas war: a burst water pipe amid the annihilation of Gaza, Oct. 10, 2023. South Africa has filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice alleging that Israel is intentionally committing genocide in Gaza. The bar is high to prove it, experts say. MOHAMMED BABA/MSF By Damilola Banjo via PassBlue The Genocide Convention was codified in 1948 in response to the atrocities committed against Jewish people and others […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 5
insert_link Opinion Pieces South Africa is taking Israel to court for genocide in Palestine. What does it mean for the war in Gaza? By Donald Rothwell, Australian National University South Africa has taken Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ, also known as the World Court) in The Hague claiming genocide has been committed against Palestinians during the Gaza conflict. A charge of genocide before the court in the midst of a heated armed conflict is exceptional. Likewise, the significance of South Africa’s claim against Israel has immense cultural, diplomatic, historical, […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 3