Drivetime

A Tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi

Abdul Sattar Edhi, the founder of one of Pakistan’s largest public welfare charities, has become the first Pakistani in more than a quarter of a century to be honoured with a state funeral. Edhi, believed to be in his early nineties, died of kidney failure in a Karachi hospital having…

11 Jul 2016 10AM 18 min

Willie Currie book review - Blue Eland Foxtrot

Blue Eland Foxtrot is a dramatic, satirical book that focuses on South Africa during the 70’s and 80’s. The book takes a historical look at South Africa during the height of Apartheid with references and humorous insights into the post-apartheid utopia that we all call home today. Willie Currie is currently writing novels and studying the…

8 Jul 2016 10AM 12 min

The Chilcot Report findings

Britain decided to join the 2003 invasion of Iraq based on "flawed intelligence" which was not challenged and should have been, said the Chilcot report which has taken seven years to prepare. John Chilcot, the chairman of the Iraq Inquiry and a retired civil servant, said on Wednesday that the…

7 Jul 2016 11AM 19 min

Saudi Arabia Bombings

The bombing at the Prophet's Mosque in the city of Medina was the third attack to hit the kingdom, following blasts in the cities of Jeddah and Qatif. The blast struck moments before sunset prayers when people were breaking their fast inside the mosque. The mosque, which is also known…

5 Jul 2016 10AM 13 min

Ebrahim Rasool

EBRAHIM RASOOL, FORMER AMBASSADOR of South Africa to the United States and Georgetown University’s distinguished scholar-in-residence. Ambassador of South Africa from 2010 until early 2015, he joined the Al Waleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU), housed in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service. Rasool will spend his 15 months…

4 Jul 2016 10AM 35 min

The 'Ethiopia rising' narrative and the Oromo protests

A new report published by Human Rights Watch on the Oromo protests depicts a disturbing picture of a government that thrives on systematic repression and official violence. The report, which puts the death toll from the seven-month-long protest at more than 400, exposes the "Ethiopia rising" narrative for what it…

27 Jun 2016 10AM 11 min

20 Years After the TRC, Reflections on Social and Economic equalities

The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation along with partners Equal Education and The Social Justice Coalition yesterday hosted a public debate in Khayelitsha. The debate centered around reflections on the social and economic inequalities 20 years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, we are joined by Ayanda Nyoka, Project Leader…

23 Jun 2016 10AM 10 min

Arrest of 3 Turkish journalists

Turkish authorities have arrested three prominent press freedom campaigners, including the local representative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), on charges of spreading "terrorist propaganda", according to human rights groups. A court ordered they be held in pre-trial detention after they guest-edited a newspaper on Kurdish issues and campaigned against efforts…

22 Jun 2016 4AM 9 min

Gaza two years on through a photographers eyes

In july we will mark two years since the war in Gaza Strip, in which more than 2,100 Palestinians were killed. Two years after the Israeli assault that lasted 7 weeks, Gaza no longer makes the news. Its people die slowly, its children are malnourished, its water contaminated, and it…

21 Jun 2016 10AM 8 min

Tshwane uprising

Our newsfeeds have been set alight today with the unrest in Atteridgeville in Tshwane, following the ANC's decision to name Thoko Didiza as the party's mayoral candidate for the upcoming municipal elections. This follows violent protests which broke out across the city last night. Several vehicles have been burnt and…

21 Jun 2016 10AM 5 min

Tshwane uprising

Our newsfeeds have been set alight today with the unrest in Atteridgeville in Tshwane, following the ANC's decision to name Thoko Didiza as the party's mayoral candidate for the upcoming municipal elections. This follows violent protests which broke out across the city last night. Several vehicles have been burnt and…

20 Jun 2016 10PM 6 min

Egypts press freedom crisis

The Egyptian Criminal Court has sentenced Ibrahim Helal,three journalists Alaa Sablan, identified by to death on Saturday, 18 June 2016. The two journalists were falsely accused of wrongdoing under what is known as “The Espionage Case,, together with the deposed former president Mohamed Morsi, and a number of media professionals.

20 Jun 2016 10AM 5 min

Why South Africa would do well without it's Deputy Ministers

The South African government recently outlined several measures to cut its running cost. This includes a R7 billion reduction in the public sector wage bill over the next three years as well as a reduction in travel costs, entertainment budgets, catering expenses and restrictions on conferences.The cuts come in the…

20 Jun 2016 10AM 8 min

World Refugee day - The politics of refugee protection

The number of people displaced worldwide has hit a new record, with 65.3 million people forced from their home as of the end of 2015, the UN said on Monday. The figures, released on World Refugee Day, show pressures fuelling an unprecedented global displacement crisis. As conflict and persecution force…

20 Jun 2016 10AM 10 min

The Need For an Inter-generational Dialogue 40 years after the 1976 uprising

The dream of the common vision for a shared future as described by participants in Sharlene Swartz’s study Another Country. “A South Africa where race no longer dominates; where there is equal access to opportunities; where we have social and geographical integration, knowing people different from us and having them…

16 Jun 2016 10AM 12 min

An African exodus would irreparably damage the ICC

South Africa is part of an African Union committee going to address the United Nations Security Council on the AU position on the International Criminal Court. That position includes postponing/ cancelling the ICC cases against incumbent African leaders and putting forward the roadmap for African states to withdraw from the…

8 Jun 2016 10AM 10 min

Is the terror alert in SA an attempt to increase security around Muslims?

The recent warnings of a terrorist attack in South Africa from the governments of the United States and United Kingdom are nothing more than an attempt to pressurise the South African government to increase securitization and surveillance around Muslim communities according to Cage Africa. So what implications do these terror…

8 Jun 2016 10AM 6 min

Namaindia Mfeketo says the Syrian attacks have been exaggerated

“The government of Syria is in charge and functioning despite the ongoing violent conflict, deputy minister of international relations and cooperative government” these were the words of Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo addressing a media briefing after returning from a three-day trip to Damascus. At least 470 000 Syrians have died and…

7 Jun 2016 10AM 6 min

Analysis of the Education drop out rate

“Weak learning” during the early years of schooling has been used as the reason for the shocking dropout statistics of pupils before they reach matric. According to the latest statistics, in a report compiled by the department of basic education, there were only 571 819 matrics in 2014 compared to more…

7 Jun 2016 10AM 7 min

The case of Mabel Jansen – we all have our prejudices

Ealier in the year Mabel Jansen was suspended for discriminatory facebook posts that were shared by Gillian Schutte. Many have argued that the judge said what she did in her own personal capacity. Franny Rabkin reflects on the actions of Mabel Jansen to reveal the inner prejudices we all may…

7 Jun 2016 10AM 9 min