Zuleikha Mayat: South African author and activist who led a life of courage, compassion and integrity

By Saleem Badat, University of the Free State Few Indian South African women have achieved wider public recognition than author, human rights and cultural activist Zuleikha Mayat, who passed away on 2 February 2024. An honorary doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal was just one of many awards bestowed on her during a life that spanned almost 98 years. Mayat was a remarkable pioneer, evocative writer, public speaker, civic worker, […]

February 7, 2024 8

Interview Transcripts

Activist Michael Amushelelo Calls for Action On Rent Control in Interview with Future Media News

Activist Michael Amushelelo discussed a range of critical issues affecting Namibians. From the alleged mismanagement of housing projects to the urgent need for rent control and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homeowners, Amushelelo addressed pressing concerns with passion and conviction. The Housing Crisis: Amushelelo began by shedding light on the 2014 mass housing initiative, criticizing the unfair distribution of homes to the elites while a majority remained unoccupied. […]

February 5, 2024 15

Lifestyle

Three South African universities have new approaches to assessing students: why this is a good thing

By Danica Sims, University of Oxford South African higher education faces many complex challenges rooted in the legacy of apartheid. They include the fact that many students are unprepared for or excluded from higher education. Quality education is not available to all. It’s therefore difficult for many students to remain in higher education and eventually graduate. The data points to two persistent trends. The first is that, according […]

January 24, 2024 18

Interview Transcripts

Unlocking Namibia’s Potential: A Call for Fair Resource Deals and a Universal Basic Income- A sit down with Herbert Jauch, ESJ Trustee

Our team took this moment to speak with Herbert Jauch, a Social Justice Activist and Labor expert. In this piece you will find interesting views by Mr. Jauch on topics such as deals with DeBeers not in favor of Namibians now living in poverty. In a recent statement, Botswana's President Masisi shed light on the repercussions of certain dealings with DeBeers, revealing substantial losses in revenue from diamonds over the […]

January 16, 2024 34

Business / Economics

Wealth of top 5 billionaires doubles as global poverty rises

The fortunes of the world's five richest individuals have doubled to $869 billion since 2020, while five billion people face increased poverty. Oxfam reports that billionaires now control 70% of the world's biggest companies, prompting the anti-poverty agency to urge governments to break up monopolies, impose wealth taxes, and explore alternative ownership models like employee ownership. The findings coincide with the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.

January 15, 2024 17

Health / Medical

Taxes on e-cigarettes: South Africa must strike a balance between economic arguments and health concerns

By Marius van Oordt, University of Pretoria The 21st century has seen a massive expansion in the ways that people can consume tobacco and nicotine. Innovative new products include electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS” or e-cigarettes) and heat-not-burn (HnB) products. One of the challenges this has thrown up is the tax rates on these products. Combustible tobacco products like cigarettes and loose tobacco are generally taxed at similar rates since […]

January 8, 2024 28

Business / Economics

Amushelelo gives update on planned national unemployment protest

Following a letter from the lawyers of Rani Group of Companies, Weder, Kauta & Hoveka Incorporated, about stopping the planned closure of the company's shops, we contacted social justice and economic activist, Michael Amushelelo for an update. Amushelelo, who faced an assault by security personnel upon arriving at the stores, also gave a brief update on next year's plan for a national unemployment protest on Independence Day. The activist has […]

December 20, 2023 63

Namibia

Apartheid in Namibia: why human rights and women are celebrated on the same day

By Henning Melber, University of Pretoria, via the conversation 10 December is worldwide commemorated as Human Rights Day. It marks the anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on that day in 1948. Many countries and organisations acknowledge this as a significant marker. It created a lasting, normative framework defining fundamental human rights. UN Member States, while in constant violation, have all ratified the principles. They remain […]

December 8, 2023 15