In Focus

Was the SANDF deployment in the CAR justifiable?

By John Paul Mashala Friday, 07 June 2013 13:20

The motives behind the involvement of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in the Central African Republic (CAR) remains contested. Thirteen South African soldiers lost their lives in the CAR following confrontations with elements of the Seleka rebel group, who marched on Bangui, the capital of the CAR, on 23 March 2013 to oust the former president, Francois Bozize. The rebels accused Bozize, who also seized power through a coup d’état in 2003, of breaching a peace accord that was signed in Libreville in January 2013, following an earlier offensive in December 2012. French troops and soldiers of the regional Central African Multinational Force (FOMAC) were also present in the Bangui during the rebel offensive that led to the ousting of Bozize and the deaths of the South African soldiers. However, only SANDF forces were engaged by the Seleka rebels, prompting accusations and speculations that South African soldiers had been deployed in the CAR to protect Bozize and the business interests of the ruling ANC.

From a pan-Africanist to a pan-humanist approach to the African Renaissance

By Fritz Nganje Monday, 03 June 2013 08:59

May 25, 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which has since 2002 been rechristened the African Union (AU). From Addis Ababa, the birth place of the OAU and the current seat of the AU, to Johannesburg, the epicentre of the 2008 xenophobic attacks on African migrants, there has not been a shortage of ‘Africa Day’ events, celebrating the vision, fighting spirit and achievements of the founders of the OAU. As one would expect in the context of persistent development challenges confronting Africa, celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the OAU, officially marked under the theme ‘Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance’, have not been limited to pomp and fanfare. The anniversary has also served as an opportunity for the current generation of Africans, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to reconnect with the spirit of the forefathers and take ownership of the African Renaissance movement pioneered by the latter.

Africa 2063 and ordinary Africans

By Siphamandla Zondi Thursday, 30 May 2013 20:27

LAST weekend, the continent of Africa celebrated its golden jubilee. Fifty years after independence from colonial rule began, it’s time to ask how we seize this opportunity to create a better continent which can benefit the world?

In the week of celebrations, the body of Chinua Achebe, Nigerian-born thinker and writer, was laid to rest after several weeks of mourning.

SA, UK and the international politics of ‘aid’

By Lesley Masters Monday, 13 May 2013 08:41

On the 30th of April the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) noted the ‘unilateral announcement’ by the UK to end its Official Development Assistance (ODA), or ‘aid’, to South Africa by 2015. This amounts to some £19 million a year for South Africa, which plays a role in supporting government development initiatives as well as civil society groups in addressing the priorities of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

The reasons behind the decision, set out by the UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening, is that relations with South Africa should be based on trade rather than aid and that South Africa has reached a position where it could fund its own development. This is a position supported by UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, who claims that the UK could not continue to support South Africa with ODA as it was the continent’s economic powerhouse, with a growing economy and rising incomes. The decision also follows on-going debates within the UK on aid spending and the implementation of austerity measures in addressing the effects of the international financial crisis.