Category: South Africa

South Africa

Afrikaner Refugees: Essential Context

Genocide There is no genocide in South Africa, which for all its faults has been a constitutional democracy since 1994 when apartheid ended and democracy arrived. For the most part property rights and individual liberties are respected. South Africa has a vibrant free media.   The genocide narrative is linked to the firebrand Economic Freedom Fighters, the country’s fourth largest political party whose members wear red … Continue reading Afrikaner Refugees: Essential Context

Unknown's avatarBarry D. WoodLeave a comment
brookings, corruption, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, International Monetary Fund, pravin gordhan, rand, South Africa, Washington

South Africa’s Pravin Gordhan: Grace Under Pressure

WASHINGTON: South Africa’s finance minister Pravin Gordhan is at the center of a political storm.  Four months ago he was brought back to head the finance ministry when his successor was abruptly fired by president Jacob Zuma and replaced with a little known lawmaker. That move shook investor confidence and sent the currency tumbling.  Four days later business leaders and senior ruling party leaders forced … Continue reading South Africa’s Pravin Gordhan: Grace Under Pressure

Unknown's avatarBarry D. WoodLeave a comment
Beira, China, Frelimo, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Ian Smith, Lisbon, Maputo, Mozambique, Portugal revolution, Rhodesia, Samora Machel, South Africa

Remembering Mozambique Independence

My, how the world has changed.  Mozambique independence in 1975 was a kind of high water mark of communism. Fresh from victory in Portugal’s 1974 military coup and its triumph in Vietnam, ‘world revolution’ arrived in southern Africa on June 25, 1975 with the People’s Republic of Mozambique. In the days before the Portuguese handover, pundits in what was still Lourenco Marques wondered whether the … Continue reading Remembering Mozambique Independence

Unknown's avatarBarry D. WoodLeave a comment
AGOA, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Jacob Zuma, nuclear, Russia, South Africa, Vladimir Putin

South Africa’s Nuclear Agreement with Russia Raises Questions

WASHINGTON: On the sidelines of a conference in Vienna on September 22d, South Africa signed an agreement for Russian nuclear power plants to be built in the country. The deal could be worth $50billion. Signing ceremony in Vienna: South African Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson and Rosatom CEO Sergei Kirienko (photo: Rosatom) Assuming the deal goes forward, they would be the first Russian nuclear reactors in … Continue reading South Africa’s Nuclear Agreement with Russia Raises Questions

Unknown's avatarBarry D. WoodLeave a comment
apartheid, Desmond Tutu, FW deKlerk, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, Izak Smuts, Jacob Zuma, Nelson Mandela, Oscar Pistorius, Robert Mugabe, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, South Africa, Soweto, Thokozile Masipa

The May 7th Vote in the New South Africa

To understand the new South Africa, look no further than the red-robed female jurist presiding at the televised trial of blade runner Oscar Pistorius. “My lady,” as she is addressed in court, is Thokozile Masipa, a 67-year-old lawyer from Soweto. In 1998 she became only the second black woman appointed to a South African high court. Judge Thokozile Masipa (photo: SABC)  Here is a judge … Continue reading The May 7th Vote in the New South Africa

Unknown's avatarBarry D. WoodLeave a comment