Fatoumata Diawara channels ancestry and activism in Cape Town
Blending Malian heritage with high-energy pop, Fatoumata Diawara used the CTIJF stage to honour her roots and confront FGM, proving that heritage and modern activism are inseparable
Activism
So Close to Gaza: Inside a Night the Gaza Flotilla Didn’t Reach Shore
In her new book Flotilla: A Journey of Conscience, Zukiswa Wanner recounts the harrowing final hours of a civilian flotilla intercepted while attempting to break the blockade of Gaza
Reading resistance: Books that archive courage, dissent and institutional memory
South Africa’s fragile freedoms are recorded in classrooms, songs and satire. These books archive courage, dissent and institutional memory
Pride, protest and power: Who really owns queer liberation in Joburg?
Amid boycotts and protests, queer Joburg found something radical at Zoo Lake — a Pride rooted in love, agency and authenticity
Lupe Fiasco’s mural of purpose, craft and substance
For years, Lupe Fiasco’s music lived softly in my mind – a hum of resistance, a reminder of truth. Then, under Joburg’s stormy sky, I finally stood before the man who wields words like swords
The God Edition | Losing my religion to find my faith
One writer’s journey through activism and grief led him back to the altar — on his own terms
Soundtrack of the struggle
Jazz and activism have long been intertwined, but how does the music speak today?
The long and short of a 50-year artistic career
Sue Williamson’s new show opens in Joburg and a retrospective is coming soon
Mother City: A powerful documentary exposing Cape Town’s racial and economic inequality
Six years in the making, the pair’s film explores racial and economic inequality in Cape Town
Children’s book on Palestine gets blowback
The colouring book, designed to be both educational and engaging for children, aims to introduce young readers to Palestine’s history, culture and notable figures through an interactive format
Iran punished for ‘vile’ treatment of women
The US initiates Iran’s expulsion from the UN women’s commission.
Art of activism: 16 artists against gender violence
Artists whose work speaks against gender violence is art as activism that shows the need for more than 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
Africa’s forgotten colony in the Sahara
Rich in resources but largely unrecognised, those in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic eke out a livelihood under harsh conditions.
The best cookbooks for World Vegan Day
At the root of it, vegan food is just food: Vibrant, flavourful, fresh. Find some inspiration for feel-good food, indulgent meals, and crunchy snacks help you up your daily vegetable intake
Has activism won? Jay Naidoo reflects on the loss of people’s power and how to win it back
From the early frontier wars against colonialism to the struggle against apartheid and in recent times the fight for economic equality, the culture of activism has evolved. But can it still be effective in bringing about change?
Climate change: $2-trillion for weapons versus $100-billion to save the planet
The West seems more fixated on spending on the military rather than addressing the climate catastrophe.
A new play highlights the reality of living with albinism, poverty, and prejudice in South Africa
After years of nurturing, mentorship, and collaboration between legends of South African theatre and two young actors, the Baxter Theatre brings Imbilini… My Friend! to matinee shows this June
OPINION | Global warming is here, it is no longer a thing of the future
South Africa needs to improve its resilience against climate related catastrophes such as floods, locust swarms and increasing temperatures
The perfect storm: Covid-19, war and inequality
The disruptions brought by the Russia-Ukraine war will increase the costs of basic staples, putting 280-million people across the world at risk of starvation.
Ukraine: A conflict soaked in contradictions
There are wars in Africa and Asia and some are rarely commented on in the media, so why is Ukraine different?
The current infatuation with portraiture has colonial roots
However, contemporary artists such as Cinga Samson, Zanele Muholi and Mohau Modisakeng found a liberating ally in self-portraiture
The American political process is disconnected from economic reality
While the Democrats and Republicans use an outdated political playbook, people need protection from the capitalist system itself
Global leaders must implement their climate commitments
As the just transition gathers momentum and renewable energy becomes more affordable, countries around the world taking climate action. South Africa must follow suit
Boric’s win paves the way for a bright, new world for women in Chile
The new movement in Chile has significant potential to continue its already ground-breaking march to a new world for all Chileans, and women in particular
Morocco drives a war in Western Sahara for its phosphates
Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara is about the presence of resources, especially phosphates that make up 72% of the world’s reserves. Phosphate is used in fertiliser, a key element in agriculture, giving Morocco a tight grip over world food production.
Xiomara Castro’s win in Honduras could address the country’s endemic corruption and violence
After more than a decade of violent repression and undemocratic rule that emerged after the 2009 ouster of Manuel Zelaya, a new leader takes the reins of the Central American nation
Story of a whistleblower: ‘Baba, do you think you are about to die?
Whistleblower Thabiso Zulu can’t explain his situation to his son, but continues to expose wrongdoing and show solidarity with others
Hier kom Lister! On the ‘Comrade Editor’s’ lifelong commitment to activism and journalism
Gwen Lister’s book, ‘Comrade Editor’, weaves together a narrative from the strands of her own life, her journalism, and the wider context of Namibia’s struggle for independence
How youth can reshape political participation in Nigeria
Can Nigeria’s #EndSars protests restructure electoral politics? Or will they simply become a dramatic, but ineffective interlude, to the status quo?
Getting the story in Somalia can be a deadly affair for journalists
Abdallae Ahmed Mumin recalls being shot at and threatened in the line of duty. He escaped with his life, but not all his peers were so lucky.
Why words matter
When the M&G apologised for using the word ‘paralysed’ metaphorically in a newspaper headline, some Twitter users responded with allegations of ‘wokeness gone mad’. But as cultural practices evolve, it doesn’t hurt to try to be kind first
Living up to our promise of ubuntu
South Africa needs active citizens and real change starts in the home, with conversations about social justice