“RETSA TSELA” INITIATIVE IS THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE 

In the heart of Potchefstroom, a quiet revolution is unfolding. It’s not led by politicians or celebrities, but by a 22-year-old named Peterson Sebati and a dynamic force of young South Africans who have resolved: “We will not wait for change – we will create it ourselves.” They are embodying what it means to “be the change […]

THE ROAD TO RUIN IS WHEN TRANSPORT EMISSIONS KILL OUR COMMUNITIES 

South Africa’s taxi industry is not only massive – it’s a force to be reckoned with. In many ways, it’s the lifeblood of the nation’s daily commute. Every single day, around 16 million South Africans rely on minibus taxis to get to work, school, and everywhere in-between. This sector moves more than 70% of the […]

THE 9TH CHINA TRADE FAIR SIGNALS A NEW TRADE ERA WITH SOUTH AFRICA 

AMB WU PENG - Motorbikes on display at the 9th China Trade Fair South Africa (image: GSMN File)

The 9th China Trade Fair South Africa, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre this past Tuesday the 23rd of September, was not merely a trade exhibition — it was a geopolitical statement. It signaled that South Africa, and the continent at large, is no longer content to be a passive consumer or raw exporter. Instead, […]

NEPAL’S YOUTH UPRISING LAYS BARE THE COST OF CONTROL

NEPAL PROTESTS

The brutal crackdown on Kathmandu’s youth mirrors the dark days of South Africa’s June 16 protests nearly 50 years ago. One survivor’s words still ring true: “When governments fear children holding placards, it exposes their own guilt.” This past week, Nepal’s government tore down the very freedoms that keep a society alive. Nineteen young people—predominantly […]

INDIA TO USA: “WE’LL BUY WHAT WE NEED, NOT WHAT WE’RE TOLD”

India has made it clear: its energy security will not be dictated by foreign powers. Days before sweeping U.S. tariffs on Indian goods are set to take effect – including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil – India’s ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, reaffirmed that the country will continue to buy crude “from wherever […]

THE COST OF HYPOCRISY: GAYTON MCKENZIE AND THE WEAPONISATION OF THE K-WORD

When I first heard that Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader and Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie had repeatedly used the K-word on social media – South Africa’s most vile and violent racial slur – I wasn’t shocked. Instead, I was enraged! Not because I expected any better from him, but because once again, black pain has been put up for public debate, […]

NEGLECT OF CHILDREN AND THEIR EDUCATION MARS SA’S FUTURE

At a recent UNISA event in Cape Town, a primary school teacher recounted the heartbreaking story of *Shane, an eight-year-old boy from a single-parent home that was ravaged by drug-addiction, who was deemed a “troublemaker” at school. Like his older brother in the past year, little Shane would be gunned down in a gang crossfire […]

OURS IS COUNTRY WHERE “FITNESS IS A PRIVILEGE”

“Summer bodies are made in winter!” This is the popular chant across the globe, particularly at the start of the winter season. But in South Africa, this seasonal motivation underscores deep inequalities in access to health and fitness resources. The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), a mere two months ago, reported that our national […]

DIOGO JOTA: THE LOSS THAT ECHOES BEYOND FOOTBALL

The football world is in mourning following the sudden passing of Portuguese legend Diogo Jota, who was killed in a car accident in Spain on Tuesday evening. He was only 28 years old. He was travelling with his younger brother, 25-year-old André Silva – who was also a professional footballer – and was killed in […]

WHY PRIDE MONTH IS STILL A PROTEST, NOT A CELEBRATION

In South Africa, the month of June is not only Youth Month, it is also the international Pride Month. This is a commemorative month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, celebrating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in local and international cultures and communities. South Africa is not only […]

REFLECTIONS ON YOUTH DAY 2025 – THE POWER OF OUR HISTORY AND IDENTITY

This year’s Youth Day commemorates 49 years since the June 16 Student Uprisings (also known as the Soweto Massacres), a crucial turning point in the liberation struggle of South Africa. In 1976, Soweto, the unbridled bravery of tens-of-thousands of schoolchildren ignited a countrywide rebellion, setting in motion a transformation that would define the future. The merciless killing of […]