The recent decision by the Minister of Finance, Comrade Enoch Godongwana, to retract the proposed VAT increase has triggered a whirlwind of commentary—from within the African National Congress (ANC) itself, and predictably, from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and other reactionary actors now fishing in judicial waters. While we await the judgment of the courts, it is essential to pause and interrogate not only the legal mechanics at play, but also the political climate that has…

On the 11th of March 2025, at the funeral of Dr Gomolemo Mokae, Tim Modise, a veteran journalist, broadcaster, public speaker and philanthropist, asked a classical biblical question from the letter to Galatians 3:1-14 asking: “Re loilwe kemang?” (who has bewitched us) The preacher of the day, Bishop Sidwell Mokgothu, of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, wept like Jeremiah and asked a critical question about leaders who are now detached from their people and asked why can’t black leaders…

On March 8, 2025, as Zambia celebrated Women’s Day in Kasama, Northern province, Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema dropped a political bombshell: the nation’s constitution, he declared, would be amended before the 2026 general elections. Four days later, addressing youth day commemorations in Mongu, Western Province, Zambia, he doubled down, promising changes to the constitution to boost representation and fix electoral “gaps.” Today Zambia finds itself in the throes of a fierce debate, one that pits the promise of progress against…

When President Jacob Zuma brought former EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu into the MK Party in August 2024, it wasn’t a gamble — it was a calculated masterstroke. This wasn’t just about gaining a high-profile figure. It was about strengthening the movement with someone who understands the language of power, policy, and planning. His ability to articulate and organize around these themes likely enhances MK’s appeal in KwaZulu-Natal and beyond, where it emerged as the largest party in 2024. The…

During his second White House term, Trump’s governing style remains characteristically assertive, launching a full-scale offensive from day one. Domestically, he’s pushing for sweeping government reforms. On the international stage, he’s swiftly announcing withdrawals from numerous international organisations and aggressively deploying foreign policy moves, seeking to reshape the landscape of American influence globally.  So, what does Trump’s return mean for Africa? Despite his stated policy goal of maintaining American hegemony, Africa may become the biggest victim of his policies. Guided by the America First principle, Trump’s second term is likely to feature an Africa policy that largely ignores the…

Since the start of its “going global” strategy in March 2000, China has pursued a more open approach to cooperation, backed by the aspiration for shared prosperity. Needless to say, this has not been without resistance. Indeed, there has been a wave of anxiety-driven economic policies in the West, particularly in the US. In contrast, as we advance towards globalisation and shared prosperity, such restrictive trade policies and economic insecurity can only be counterproductive, to say the least. However, now…

Education remains a highly contentious subject in the African context. Historically, it has served as both a powerful instrument of empowerment, opening avenues for individual and societal advancement, and a tool of insidious subjugation, used to enforce colonial ideologies and erode indigenous knowledge systems. The enduring intersection of knowledge, power and the lingering residue of colonial legacy continues to shape contemporary debates. As such, this creates a fraught terrain where questions of who is deemed ‘educated’ and whose knowledge systems…

Home to over 30 percent of the world’s critical mineral reserves, Africa contributes just about 4 percent of global carbon emissions, and yet the region bears the brunt of the impacts of climate change due to its high exposure, underdevelopment, weak economy, and limited financial resources for adaptation.  In 2023 alone, at least 15,700 people lost their lives to disasters caused by extreme weather, while another 34 million were affected by the climate crisis in various ways. As Africa’s vast…

Many African thinkers and experts have long spoken about the potential economic power of the continent and what should be done to realize this potential. Our leaders of yesteryear have clearly outlined a program of action meant to achieve the stated objectives.  The internal strives within many countries that have pioneered this project impacted at the pace and tempo of the implementation of this program. The major objective of the program adopted in 1963 by the Organization of African Unity…

As an economic concept, the low-altitude economy aims to utilise the unique resources of low-altitude airspace in a bid to develop general aviation or civilian non-airline flight, and energise the related industries from the sky to the ground.  The concept of low-altitude economy was first proposed by China, providing a theoretical contribution to the development of global general aviation. A common understanding is that low-altitude airspace is an equally important economic resource and engine of productivity as land and marine…