In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised that China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilisations on the way to modernisation, and strive together for… Continue reading Civilisational Exchanges Represent a Crucial Step Towards realising a China-Africa Community With a Shared Future
Category: Opinion
From Hunter to Hunted: Europe’s Sudden Target of US Imperialism
For centuries, Europe was the architect of global imperialism, carving up foreign territories and subjugating populations in pursuit of dominance. Driven by a potent cocktail of ambition, religious zeal and racial superiority, the expansion of the European empire ranks amongst the worst human disasters, especially for the world’s subalterns. The empire was built on exploitation,… Continue reading From Hunter to Hunted: Europe’s Sudden Target of US Imperialism
How BRICS Strengthens Regional Digital Trade
The BRICS nations are constructing a fresh model for cross-border e-commerce. Through initiatives like the BRICS Pay System and a proposed independent financial infrastructure, BRICS is moving beyond merely participating in the global economy. BRICS Pay: secure, cost-effective solution for global digital tradeThe 14th BRICS Trade Ministers Meeting in July 2024 affirmed this direction, recognising… Continue reading How BRICS Strengthens Regional Digital Trade
Africa Faces a Bright Economic Outlook Despite Internal and External Challenges
It’s that time of the year again when we find ourselves reflecting on the year that was and the year ahead. On the African continent, many countries are still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and are doing so amid a fraught geopolitical environment. These tensions have, to some extent, created hurdles in… Continue reading Africa Faces a Bright Economic Outlook Despite Internal and External Challenges
Matric Results Conceal The Submerged Body of an Iceberg
The matric results came out this week: Free State came out tops, and Limpopo was at the bottom. At least that is what we are supposed to read from the percentages in order to be joyous or sad. The debate as usual will continue to focus on trivial things like the reasons why Limpopo is… Continue reading Matric Results Conceal The Submerged Body of an Iceberg
Forum Urges the African Continent to Reinvent its Approach to Public Debt
In the heart of Abuja’s evolving financial district, an extraordinary gathering of Africa’s leading policymakers, business magnates, and international development partners took place in mid-December. The Debt Management Forum for Africa (DeMFA), convened on 16-17 December 2024, may well be remembered as a watershed in the continent’s ongoing struggle to tame the complexities of public… Continue reading Forum Urges the African Continent to Reinvent its Approach to Public Debt
Should South Africa Continue Publishing Matric Results in Newspapers?
South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. In early January every year, many parents and their children wait anxiously for the publishing of matric results. Questions should be asked about the continued relevance of this tradition, even though it once symbolized transparency and accountability. We live in a time when… Continue reading Should South Africa Continue Publishing Matric Results in Newspapers?
Trump’s Threat of Additional Tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada is a Continuation of Protectionist Policies That Benefit No One
US President-elect Donald Trump is set to ignite new trade wars with some other countries, including China. His announcement on social media on 25 November 2024 that he would impose additional tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico came as no surprise. The Republican Party leader, elected in November last year following his victory… Continue reading Trump’s Threat of Additional Tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada is a Continuation of Protectionist Policies That Benefit No One
‘Going Home’, Temporality and Oscillation: The Endurance of South Africa’s Migrant Labour System
During the festive season peaks in December, millions of South African workers in big and mid-sized urban areas “go home” to spend time in rural labour reserves where they were born. This mass movement, which appears to be a deeply ingrained cultural practice, reflects something far more insidious: the enduring legacy of South Africa’s colonial… Continue reading ‘Going Home’, Temporality and Oscillation: The Endurance of South Africa’s Migrant Labour System
China’s New Law Boosts Energy Transition and Economic Development
China’s first energy law adopted by the 12th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress, the country’s top legislature, on November 8, 2024, takes effect on January 1, 2025. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the modernization of China’s energy governance system and capacity, and this foundational and overarching… Continue reading China’s New Law Boosts Energy Transition and Economic Development