Author: Joseph Chirume ــ South Africa
Recent developments in Namibia have highlighted ongoing efforts by the Herero and Nama communities to seek reparations from Germany for the brutal genocide committed in the late 19th century. Namibia has announced plans to commemorate the genocide with a public holiday in 2025 and has established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to oversee German funds earmarked for reconstruction and reconciliation programs. However, some tribal leaders feel excluded from the negotiation process, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the current approach. Despite Germany’s acknowledgment of the genocide, the lack of legally binding reparations continues to fuel frustration among the affected communities.…
ANC Faces Setback in Election Results: What Lies Ahead Leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) gathered for a National Executive Committee meeting in Johannesburg on June 6, 2024, following the party’s recent election setback. After 30 years of predominantly holding power since the end of apartheid in 1994, the ANC failed to secure a majority in the general elections, winning 159 out of 400 seats in the National Assembly. President Cyril Ramaphosa remained optimistic in his acceptance speech, emphasizing the need for a coalition government with parties sharing common goals. The emergence of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party under…
The upcoming elections in South Africa hold immense significance as millions of voters prepare to elect a new government amidst challenges such as high unemployment rates and a deteriorating healthcare system. With 27.6 million registered voters and 70 political parties participating, this election is crucial due to the dire living conditions and increasing inequality in the country. While issues like poverty and unemployment are being blamed on immigrants by some populist politicians, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) is facing the risk of losing its majority. Opposition parties are critical of the ANC’s failure to create jobs, control corruption, and…
The inaugural Global Anti-Apartheid Conference for Palestine held in South Africa united delegates in denouncing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Speakers included notable figures like Naledi Pandor and Ronnie Kasrils, urging for global action against Israeli apartheid. The event coincided with escalating violence in Gaza, fueling urgency for change. The conference highlighted South African universities boycotting ties with Israeli institutions and the government’s legal actions against Israel. Ronnie Kasrils emphasized the need to dismantle the apartheid system and called for solidarity against Israel’s oppressive regime. Addressing the historical injustices by Zionists, Kasrils rallied against the genocide. Sharing a Nakba testimony, Mohannad…