South Africa

One of the great mysteries of South African politics is how President Jacob Zuma manages to survive career-ending crisis after career-ending crisis, each sufficient unto itself to have floored any other politician.

Yet Zuma keeps on going.

An historic victory over South African neoliberalism was won on October 23, after the most intense three-week burst of activist mobilization here since liberation from apartheid in 1994.

When we began our struggle ten years ago we felt that we were on our own. Today workers and students are also in struggle. Many are now organised outside of the ruling party that has so brutally repressed our struggle and many other struggles. We no longer feel that we are on our own.

We, as Jewish South Africans, are deeply saddened and distressed by the recent attacks and counter-attacks currently taking place in Israel/Palestine, and in particular the city of Jerusalem, holy to Christianity, Islam and Judaism.

Jamaica’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid, slavery, colonialism, racism and inequality on the African continent is notable.

‘I Write What I Like – Steve Biko’

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) is severely disturbed by the apparent conditions at the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility and Women’s Correctional Centre.

‘Europe Must Take Responsibility for Refugee Crisis, Which It Created!’ blared President Jacob Zuma from the front-page a few days ago. For once shower-head Zuma is right.

The ‘Faustian Pact’ metaphor as explanation for the South African liberation movement’s 1990s capitulation to neoliberal capitalism is offered by Ronnie Kasrils.