dignity

INTERVIEW: Dr. Basilius Kasera on SONA and Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG)

In a candid interview, Dr. Basilius Kasera shared his thoughts on the government's response to the concept of a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG), particularly in light of recent discussions following the State of the Nation Address (SONA). He critiques the government's current approach to addressing economic inequality and offers his perspectives on the importance of a nationwide basic income system. Dr. Kasera begins by emphasizing the distinction between […]

28 April, 2025 38

Africa

Colonialism and apartheid stripped black South Africans of land and labour rights – the effects are still felt today

By Marthinus van Staden, University of the Witwatersrand Land dispossession among South Africa’s majority black population remains a thorny issue 30 years into democracy. Labour law scholar Marthinus van Staden’s new research examines the historical relationship between land dispossession and labour control in South Africa. It explores how the systematic seizure of indigenous people’s land during colonisation and apartheid reduced them from landowners to labourers, under exploitative […]

23 September, 2024 68

Africa

Steve Biko, the South African liberation struggle hero who considered dishonour worse than death

By Jacob Dlamini, Princeton University What happens when death becomes the ultimate marker of one’s commitment to one’s freedom? Jacob Dlamini explores this and other questions in his new book, Dying for Freedom: Political Martyrdom in South Africa. This edited extract, from the chapter Dead and Proud, focuses on Steve Biko’s attitude to martyrdom and to the political uses of death (30). Steve Biko’s death on 12 September […]

10 September, 2024 55

World

Gangs, kidnappings, murders: why thousands of Rohingya are desperately trying to escape refugee camps by boats

By Ruth Wells, UNSW Sydney and Max William Loomes, UNSW Sydney Late last week, a boat crammed with Rohingya refugees fleeing a squalid camp in Bangladesh capsized off the coast of Indonesia. Around 75 people were rescued, including nine children, but more than 70 are missing and presumed dead. This tragedy isn’t an isolated incident. The number of Rohingya people trying to escape refugee camps by boat has […]

27 March, 2024 26

South Africa

Green Point “Tent City”: Homeless camp’s days are numbered

People have been occupying this site in Green Point for more than five years. It sprung up during the Covid pandemic when many people lost their jobs. Text by Matthew Hirsch and photos by Ashraf Hendricks via GroundUp For weeks the homeless community in the tent camp near the tennis courts in Green Point have been holding their breath, awaiting eviction. At one time there were about a hundred people living […]

20 February, 2024 23

Namibia

Namibian fashion designer praises late Geingob’s iconic style

The late President Hage Geingob was not only renowned for his leadership but also his impeccable sense of style. His attire, carefully chosen for every occasion, whether domestic or international, left a lasting impression on many, including local fashion designers who admired his fashion sense. Namibian fashion designer, Melisa Poulton shared her insights on Geingob’s iconic style and the impact it had on the fashion scene in the […]

14 February, 2024 31