The stark, frightening reality of the consequences of Covid-19 and the reactions to it are becoming increasingly obvious. And no more so than in the estimates for the rate of unemployment in a country already recognised the world’s worst in the jobless stakes. An official level of 50% – half the adult population between the […]
July 12, 2020
With the Trump administration playing ball with the pharmaceutical companies, democrats everywhere should rally to fight for the "peoples' vaccine" demanded in May by 140 experts and world leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.
June 28, 2020
The "basics" of the early modern trade union movement were extremely democratic. Perhaps it is to these the country must turn to create a new and truly democratic social compact.
April 17, 2020
Poverty is the biggest danger facing not just South Africa, but the world today. So it is perfectly understandable that poor people, oprdered to stay at home and socially distance, may see this as an invitation to starve, perhaps to death.
December 1, 2019
Forget, for the moment, state capture. Think instead of media capture and the impact it can — and does — have on all our lives. At the same time, consider too the ongoing attempts to discredit journalism and the media. That we should all do so was highlighted last week by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng […]
November 2, 2019
Ever since making a tentative move toward principled unity 23 years ago, South Africa's modern and militant trade unions, once to the forefront of the struggle against apartheid, have steadily weakened, with a degree of fragmentation. Now, with the realities of the digital revolution being felt, time is not on their side if they wish to remain relevant and play a role of protectors and extenders of democracy.
June 29, 2019
Ethical journalism is an essential bulwark against the erosion of not only freedom of expression, but of whatever democracy may exist in any parliamentary system. This much has also been acknowledged by the recently appointed head of the investigative unit of South Africa's National Prosecuting authority. But threats remain amid apparent "over the rainbow" illusions.
September 5, 2020
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