The preamble of the United Nations Charter, adopted after World War II, noted the determination of the peoples of the world “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.” Given the scale of devastation, human suffering, and loss of life, it is appropriate to examine how humanity was pulled back from the abyss of World War II.  The path to securing “succeeding generations from the scourge of war”…

In today’s world, influence is a form of currency. Young people often trust social media influencers more than traditional advertising or even official government communication. They see them as relatable, aspirational and authentic. This trust has turned influencer marketing into one of the most powerful tools of persuasion in the modern era. But when influence is left unchecked and accountability is missing, the same platforms that inspire dreams can also create danger. South Africa is now facing this reality. The…

In a landmark ruling that champions equality, the Constitutional Court has declared that men may legally adopt their wives’ surnames. This decision, which strikes down archaic and discriminatory provisions of the Births and Deaths Registration Act, is rightly celebrated as a victory for human dignity and a blow to patriarchal norms. But to fully appreciate the profundity of this judgment, we must look beyond the question of gender and ask a more fundamental one: what is a surname, really? The…

Events in the first few days of September have confirmed what was already in motion. A new rhythm in world affairs is emerging. In Tianjin, a metropolis in north China, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. In Beijing, China’s capital, President Xi reviewed troops during a military parade to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World…

China commemorated on 3 September the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. President Xi Jinping reviewed troops in Beijing during a military parade to mark the commemoration. The event highlighted the enormous sacrifices and contributions of the Chinese people to the global victory against fascism.  In his address during the event, President Xi said that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of…

The 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War marked a solemn and significant occasion for China and the international community. In his keynote address, President Xi Jinping emphasised the need to remember the sacrifices of millions, correct distortions of history, and reaffirm the lessons of the past to guide the path towards peace and shared prosperity.  For too long, the global narrative of World War II has…

South Africa’s foreign policy configuration since the twilight of apartheid has been characterised by an evolving commitment to “active non-alignment” and an increasingly strategic engagement within the BRICS coalition. Popular analytical frameworks predominantly interpret such shifts in terms of geopolitical pragmatism or economic strategy aimed at positioning South Africa favourably within the global order. However, to grasp the full intellectual and normative import of South Africa’s international orientation, it is critical to engage with the more profound philosophical legacies that…

The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, stands as a watershed moment in the annals of global geopolitics. Hosted by the People’s Republic of China under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, this two-day gathering from August 31 to September 1 brought together leaders from over 20 non-Western nations, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.  Representing approximately 40% of the world’s population and spanning 24% of the Earth’s land…

An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa   Greetings Mr President, To act in this uncharacteristic manner is a desperate attempt to grab your highly contested and congested attention and redirect it to the voice of the voiceless. The fact that you cut your political teeth in the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), of which I remain an activist, gives me the assurance that you should care about the plight of black people.  It is not for me to remind you of your deeply…

Growing up, many boys are taught, directly or indirectly that a woman is like a child. Such teachings are part of the undocumented curriculum in initiation schools where men are taught that a woman must be protected, provided for, and guided. While on the surface this might sound like care or affection, beneath it lies a toxic message: that women are not fully autonomous adults. This flawed education quietly shapes the way many men interact with women throughout their lives,…