THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Modibe Modiba

Investigative journalist Modibe Modiba’s allegations about corruption in Ekurhuleni have resurfaced as the Madlanga Commission hears testimony that echoes several of his earlier claims. Modiba has publicly alleged systemic wrongdoing in the metro, including irregular multi-billion-rand tenders, cri…

PANEL DISCUSSION: SA's global voice vs Local Reality

South Africa’s Global Voice vs. Local Reality probes how the country projects power on the world stage while grappling with deep domestic stresses. Former ANC leader and Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa and Mistra research director Dr Sandy Africa dissect the tensions between diplomacy, governance,…

CREATIVE CORNER: Power, Privilege, and the Public Experience of Corruption in South Africa

In this telephonic conversation, Dr Steven Gordon of the HSRC’s DCES division explores how ordinary South Africans feel and interpret corruption in everyday life. Moving beyond headlines, he reflects on how power and privilege shape who is harmed, who is heard, and who is protected. Through public-…

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP - Floyd Shivambu President of Afrika Mayibuye Movement

Floyd Shivambu, born in rural Limpopo in 1983, rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent voice in South African politics. A Wits graduate with a Master’s in Political Studies, he began his activism as SRC President before serving as ANCYL spokesperson. He co-founded the EFF in 2013 and beca…

CANNABIS CORNER - Rights of Rastafarian Report

The SA Human Rights Commission has released a landmark Rights of Rastafari Report, highlighting persistent discrimination faced by South Africa’s Rastafari community — from cannabis-related arrests and workplace exclusion to school policies targeting dreadlocks. Launched on a holy Rastafari date, t…

Tanzania Faces Backlash Over Election-Era Internet Shutdowns and Crackdown on Protesters

Tanzania is under fire after blocking major social media platforms and restricting Internet access during elections, drawing condemnation from global rights groups. The blackout, which halted platforms like TikTok, Telegram, and Messenger for five days, disrupted communication and online payments a…

RAF in Crisis - Political and Economic Implications for South Africa

South Africa’s Road Accident Fund, once a safety net for crash victims, is buckling under more than R518 billion in liabilities and only R33 billion in assets. A frozen fuel levy, mounting legal costs, governance failures and political interference have crippled the fund, leaving victims waiting ye…

WATER CRISIS

Johannesburg residents and civil society groups have once again taken to the streets, demanding urgent action on the city’s worsening water crisis. With many areas facing throttled supply or weeks without running water, frustration continues to mount. Advocacy group WaterCAN has called for accounta…

CANNIBIS CORNER

Cannabis is booming globally, with its legal market projected to grow from US$69.78 billion to over US$216 billion by 2033. Yet, in southern Africa, where the plant has been cultivated for centuries, small-scale indigenous farmers are being left behind. Despite reforms in South Africa and Zimbabwe,…

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Lukhanyo Calata is a distinguished South African journalist and author whose career reflects an unwavering commitment to truth and accountability. The son of Fort Calata, one of the “Cradock Four” anti-apartheid activists murdered in 1985, his family’s legacy of justice profoundly influences his wo…