In the aftermath of the 2024 elections in South Africa, there is a pressing need to reconsider the political landscape and chart a course that genuinely serves the interests of the marginalised and downtrodden. Analyst Nco Dube believes that a coalition between the ANC, EFF, and MK is now a possibility and that it “would represent a significant shift in South African politics.” Dube further contends that the potential coalition between the ANC, EFF and MK Party is grounded in…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forward a series of theoretical explanations on new quality productive forces. He has stressed that high-quality development has to be supported by a new productivity theory. Since new productive forces have emerged and played a strong role in driving and supporting high-quality development, they should be theorised systematically to guide further development.  Chinese Premier Li Qiang also emphasised in this year’s government work report that China will construct a modern industrial system and accelerate…

In the past, outer space was primarily the domain of a few powerful countries and generally considered separate from broader concerns of human security and development. However, in recent times, space technology development has been a dynamic arena in which the majority of the world’s countries, including countries across the continent of Africa, are actively engaged to address their most pressing socio-economic challenges. Since the turn of the millennium, countries across Africa have demonstrated growing interest in developing their space…

On Tuesday, 9 April 2024, the electoral court set aside the IEC’s decision to bar former president Jacob Zuma from running for a parliamentary seat. The IEC had disqualified Zuma due to his criminal record, including a 15-month jail term in 2021. UMkhonto weSizwe Party appealed against the IEC’s decision. The electoral court granted leave to appeal and set aside the IEC ruling.  This decisive turn of events paves the way for him to contest a seat in the National…

The 13th Meeting of China-Africa Think Tank Forum held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, released a document titled Consensus Among African and Chinese Think Tanks on Deepening Global Development Cooperation. Also known as the Africa-China Dar es Salaam Consensus, the document calls on the international community to deepen development cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, solidarity, win-win cooperation, openness, and common prosperity. It proposes to adopt a people-centred approach to development to create a friendly institutional environment for…

In an inspirational speech in 1996, then South African Deputy President Thabo Mbeki said, “Whatever the setbacks of the moment, nothing can stop us now! Whatever the difficulties, Africa shall be at peace! However improbable it may sound to the sceptics, Africa will prosper!”   The 37th African Union (AU) Summit was convened in Addis Ababa on 17 February, where leaders from across Africa converged to deliberate on pressing issues and chart a course for the future of the continent. The…

Situated in northwest China, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the largest provincial region in terms of land area and is endowed with rich resources. It is also known as a champion of China’s reform and opening-up, the core of Silk Road Economic Belt, and a springboard for China’s greater openness.  As a microcosm of the Chinese society that is pursuing greater and faster development, Xinjiang has achieved high-quality growth in its own way.  Before the founding of the People’s Republic…

While South Africa is making steady progress in its efforts to be removed from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, it will require “a significant effort” from all relevant authorities in the country to meet the deadline at the end of January 2025 to address remaining shortcomings identified by FATF, according to the National Treasury. South Africa’s grey listing woes started in 2019, when the global financial crime watchdog FATF red-flagged the country for high levels of corruption. This…

From 13 to 18 January, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited four African countries in keeping with the more than three decades of tradition where Chinese foreign ministers start their yearly overseas visits with a trip to Africa. However, while these visits have become a routine for China’s diplomatic practice, they are not an empty ritual. They represent a tradition of China-Africa pragmatic cooperation defined by mutual consultations and tangible outcomes. It is neither opportunistic nor paternalistic, but rather engagement…

Russia took the rotating presidency of the BRICS group in 2024. Yury Ushakov, Russian presidential foreign policy aide, has granted TASS an interview in which he previewed Moscow’s priorities, prospects for BRICS development and expansion, and commented on the West’s attempts to impede the association’s activities. Question: While speaking about the priorities of Russia’s BRICS Presidency, Vladimir Putin mentioned the development of economic partnership, cooperation in science and innovation, security and counter-terrorism, culture and sports. How do you prioritize these…