Latest Opinions
DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt – how control by local elites can shape the global battery industry
5th September 2024 The mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often portrayed as a victim of exploitation by China, the US and Europe in their... →
South African heritage tourism could uplift rural communities, with a little help: the case of Sekhukhune
5th September 2024 Imagine visiting a remote valley surrounded by mountains, hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest city, listening to local people explaining... →
China’s investments in Africa aren’t working as well as they should for cities: this needs to change
4th September 2024 Over the past two decades African leaders have become increasingly drawn to Chinese financing and investment. These investments are made rapidly... →
Two Western Cape towns bridge the poverty and race divide
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 4th September 2024 The people of Hoekwil and Touwsranten recognised their shared desire for safety, and in 2021 they tried something different. Many people are deeply... →
Evaluating the achievements and problems since the establishment of the GNU – Part Two
By: Raymond Suttner 4th September 2024 The reason why it was possible to create the Government of National Unity (GNU) and why it has an element of stability is that the two major... →
Evaluating what is new, positive and negative about the GNU – Part One
By: Raymond Suttner 3rd September 2024 Can the new South Africa be reborn? By this I do not mean some romantic notion whereby we return to all that was good in 1994, minus Madiba. I mean... →
Growing danger of terrorist jailbreaks in West Africa
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 3rd September 2024 The pattern of targeting detention facilities shows that insurgents are determined to break their members out of prison. The attack on the... →
African nations can do more to benefit from ties with China, the world’s second-strongest economy
3rd September 2024 China’s relationship with Africa is vital to Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence in the western-dominated world order. China is Africa’s most... →
China reaps most of the benefits of its relationship with Africa: what’s behind the imbalance 
2nd September 2024 The ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing takes place under the theme of “Joining hands to advance modernisation and build a... →
China’s interests in Africa are being shaped by the race for renewable energy
2nd September 2024 China-Africa relations have deepened over the past two decades, characterised by increased economic cooperation, investment and infrastructure... →
