Global geopolitical competition hits Africa: Can it maintain its voice?
22 Sep 2022
A new wave of high-level visits to Africa shows the complicated strategic choices that the continent needs to make.
A new wave of high-level visits to Africa shows the complicated strategic choices that the continent needs to make.
Africa finds itself being courted again by many ardent suitors from the West and the East and in between. It is all rather reminiscent of the Cold War.
Two southern African countries, South Africa and Eswatini, are undergoing important reforms. South Africa and Eswatini can look to Lesotho for lessons.
Local structures for justice are integral for societies emerging from conflict. In the indigenous inkundla/lekgotla courts of Southern Africa, one can find a local justice system that allows for amnesties to be granted without also granting impunity.
The priority theme for CSW66, ‘Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes’, gave us an opportunity to reflect on an area of key contemporary importance.
The situation in South Africa is a microcosm of what is prevailing in the rest of Africa. The marginalised majority have continued, over these three decades, to live in hope.
The 2021 “Free Zuma” protests and violent unrest in South Africa highlights the need to evaluate the underlying political, social, economic and legal issues and policies to better meet the needs of people.
Young people can play a greater role in peacebuilding
The crippling socio-economic and emotional toll of the pandemic has been countered by an inspired, energetic, and resilient youth who have organised, volunteered, and used their generation’s knowledge of technology and global networks to ‘bounce back better.
While white farmers are the major victims of farm murder, a conceptualisation of such as ‘white genocide’ does not adequately characterise the reality. One step among others would be for the government to inaugurate a ‘Panel of the Wise’, comprised of well-respected elders from all races, who would contribute to land reform and conflict-resolution strategies for the farms and agricultural sector.