President Donald Trump’s foreign policy pronouncements present a chaotic search for meaning. His threats against South Africa, Nigeria and Afghanistan, coupled with the termination of AGOA and “crazy” tariffs, seem inconsistent. However, reading this as a complex strategy grants it undue sophistication. The driving force is not a nuanced doctrine but a raw thirst for critical minerals. These resources underpin modern economic development, technology, and national security. The strategy is not complex but a bare-knuckled attempt to bargain cheaply. The…

Large multinationals hate to be taken to court, this announcement was quite expected. For matters involving justice and human dignity, they’d rather settle out of court. The recent court outcome, where the court imposed a R13m legal bill, may have had something to do with forcing the expensive Mr Nkosana Makate to sign. This corporate strategy is quite simple and straightforward, if companies agree to go to court they “weaponise” legal processes to drain the complainant. In terms of this…

The Summer School of Global Development & Country and Region Studies at China Agricultural University brought together scholars, students and practitioners in development from all corners of the globe to critically examine the complexities of development from an interdisciplinary perspective. The programme comprised a mix of theoretical and practical educational activities that enhanced my understanding of global development, South-South cooperation, and China’s growing involvement in global affairs.   Each activity helped me to understand the changing global context and the imperative…

County economies form a distinctive, integrated regional economic structure. Their growth is shaped by specific social and historical conditions, and it influences many aspects of wider economic and social development. In China’s modernisation process, they have always played a vital role. The 2024 Central Economic Work Conference placed strong emphasis on vigorously developing county economies.  County economies are a crucial link in the national economic cycle. This cycle relies on the smooth flow and optimal allocation of resources between urban…

In the heart of South Africa’s Eastern Cape, where the hum of factories once promised progress and prosperity, silence now reigns. On August 16, 2025, Goodyear announced the closure of its tyre manufacturing plant in Gqeberha, condemning over 900 workers to unemployment in a province already staggering under a 49% jobless rate. This is no isolated tragedy; it is a symptom of a far deeper malaise—the deliberate de-industrialisation of our nation. As a fighter for economic justice and a member…

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…