Letters & Opinions
RSS FeedIs the ANC 100 years or 57 years old?
Motsoko Pheko
2012-01-26, Issue 567
Motsoko Pheko responds to reader comments on his article 'Is the ANC 100 or 57 years old?'
Correction
Can Durban recover from city-scale neoliberal nationalism?
Rozal Damoense
2012-01-19, Issue 566
Mike Sutcliffe has never been Mayor of Durban. Instead Mike Sutcliffe was Municipal Manager. Stay well. The Editor replies: Thank-you for the correction. We apologise for this error, which was made in the editing process....
Plan International responds on foreign aid to mining firms
Abigail Brown, communications department, Plan Canada
2012-01-09, Issue 565
Dear Editor, I’m writing to notify you of two errors in a story on your site that we are kindly asking to have corrected as they are misleading to your readers. The story is called: Foreign Aid to Mining Firms [url=http://www.pambazuka.org/e...
'Until then, we continue to die'
Response to Stephen Lewis' ‘There is no doubt it is murder’
Happy Kinyili
2011-12-15, Issue 563
‘As a people, we have looked and continue to look to our western saviours to ride in on their magnificent white horse to our rescue. This ain't happening,’ writes Happy Kinyili, in a call for Africa to 'imagine and envision' the future for itself.
A response to ‘False News on Pambazuka - Editor dangerous’
Pambazuka News editors
2011-12-08, Issue 562
Pambazuka News responds to an email from Global Peace-keepers Team claiming that: ‘The Editor of Pambazuka who supported the illegal actions of NATO and Rebels against the legitimate State of Libya which led to the deaths of over 150,000 Libyan Citizens, is now supporting the false reports of Aisha Gaddafi calling for the overthrow of the new Libyan Regime.’ They further alleged that by posting this summary Pambazuka News has put at risk the lives of Aisha Gaddafi and relatives since her statement was an apparent breach of her conditions of exile in Algeria. PAMBAZUKA NEWS RESPONDS:
Thoughts on Algeria and the Arab Autumn
A response to David Porter
Marieme Helie Lucas
2011-11-17, Issue 558
Marieme Helie Lucas critiques an article by David Porter appearing in Issue 557 of Pambazuka News. She praises the author’s analysis but also points out that some important happenings are missing and some erroneous statements and assumptions were made.
Elected vice-president of the AU's ECOSOCC
Mama Koité Doumbia
2011-11-10, Issue 557
I'm writing to inform you that I was elected vice president of the African Union’s ECOSOCC at its fourth General Assembly, on 1 November 2011 in Nairobi. This election is certainly an honour, but it is also a great responsibility and I invite you all to join me to ensure the mission’s full success! The challenges in Africa are enormous and we need as a society to play our part in the construction of our continent. Africa needs all her daughters and sons!
Hypocrisy knows no limits
Mazin Qumsiyeh
2011-10-27, Issue 554
With the death of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, Mazin Qumsiyeh says the US and their allies may still be in for a surprise in the region.
Lion of Africa is killed in combat
Gerald A Perreira
2011-10-27, Issue 554
Gerald A Perreira recalls Muammar Gaddafi as a brilliant and profound man of honour, courage, strength and great integrity. He spent his entire life fighting on the side of oppressed humanity worldwide and will continue to inspire those who admired him
Statement on the news that Muammar Gaddafi has been murdered
David Comissiong
2011-10-27, Issue 554
NATO’s assassination of Gaddafi ‘may well turn out to be the final nail in the coffin of the system of "international law"’, writes David Comissiong.
Decade of People of African Descent appeal letter - Sign on ASAP
Kali Akuno
2011-10-20, Issue 553
'We are trying to get as many organizations as possible to sign onto this appeal letter by Thursday, October 20th,' writes Kali Akuno. Please email all endorsements to kakuno[AT]ushrnetwork.org.
Thank you for your tributes to Mama
Elizabeth SW Otieno
2011-09-29, Issue 550
Warm greetings to you and all at Pambazuka. Thank you for your tributes to Mama [Wambui Otieno]. Her life and times is in our memories as a true daughter of Kenya. She lived life large, resourcefully and courageously.
African lesbian makes US history
Nick Mwaluko
2011-09-22, Issue 548
Following the marriage of two lesbians of African descent in New York earlier this year, Nick Mwaluko asks whether their historic act will help change perceptions towards same-sex relationships in Africa, not just in the US.
Emptying of Libya's 'black' cities
Myron Lloyd
2011-09-06, Issue 546
I think it is absolutely disgusting how black cities in Libya like Tawergha are being emptied out by the rebels and US airstrikes. One thing that I have noticed is that in all the videos I have seen where the rebels are 'liberating' a city, there seems to already be no one there! How are we protecting the civilians if most people have fled in fear? The Wall Street Journal even reported a rebel commander saying that the people in Tawergha should just pack up their things and go because it won't exist anymore after the rebels arrive.
Africa and the FUKUS
Moeen R
2011-09-06, Issue 546
We are now living in very dangerous times. France, UK and US known as FUKUS have a major plan to attack many nations in the twisted belief they are fulfilling some sort of Biblical Prophecies. Morrocco, South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Niger and Nigeria are the next targets in Africa. Syria and Iran in the Middle East and India partly due to the Maoist insurgency that is growing even though the Indian Government is keeping it quiet. Oil has been found on the Somalia/Kenya and Ethiopia/Kenya border areas so that is another potential target for FUKUS in the future. Please beware of these facts no one is exempt there is a lot of trouble coming and many people around the world will suffer. Currently, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Chechenya, Somalia are in Conflict with Bosnia and Kosovo in danger of conflict. You do not have to believe this but for sure you will see more conflicts start-up around the world then you must wake-up to reality. Be safe and be aware.
To the African Union on Libya
Antumi Toasijé
2011-09-08, Issue 546
My question is: Can we defend ourselves or we are still weak? This is a pledge for the African Union to take action and firmly intervene in the issue of Libya. As events in this war develop in the worst direction the intervention is necessary for two main reasons, first one is the documented racist harassment of the Black populations living in Libya. If we allow the Libyan Rebels to continue with this kind of prosecutions without reaction or even punishment, we will set a huge step back to the Apartheid Era because it can be an extremely dangerous precedent for all the countries in the north of Africa or even the European countries too, meaning that attacking or killing black innocent citizens is cheap and easy. The second reason is that Côte D'Ivoire and Libya have become experiments for the Neocolonial powers in a time of economical crisis. Traditionally, when the European economy breaks down then the colonialism raises. If we don't take effective and executive strong actions all Africa will be in a serious danger of recolonization. This intervention has a strong legal basis as Libya is still a member of the AU and Article 4 of the African Union Act provides for: “(h) the right of the Union to intervene in a Member State pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances, namely: WAR CRIMES, GENOCIDE and CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY”. I'm not asking for an intervention in support of Kaddafi’s regime but in support of African independence and protection of our citizens. The intervention should be military if necessary with enough effectives of the AU crossing the borders of Niger and Chad. It should consist in a rapid rescuing operation of all black citizens living in Libya, repatriation if they wish so and/or a demonstration of force to stop killings in the hands of the Libyan Rebels. Remember History tends to repeat itself specially if we don't learn from past lessons.
South Sudan: The urgency in state formation
Response to South Sudan in the post-CPA era: Prospects and challenges
Africaforafrica
2011-08-03, Issue 543
Christopher Zambakari’s article on South Sudan fails to address the key issue of leadership, writes Africaforafrica.
Malawi's undelivered promise
Ndumba Kamwanyah
2011-07-28, Issue 542
In April of this year, Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika delivered his state of the nation address, entitled ‘A Promise Delivered’. Well, from what is currently happening in the country (which some observers liken to the ongoing uprising in the Arab world), nothing there remotely resembles a promise delivered. As far as I can make out, things in Malawi look more like a promise undelivered to me. Now 19 people have reportedly been killed by the police in an attempt to squash the anti-government protests....
Diaspora lost 'in pursuit of material things'
Henri Malo
2011-07-28, Issue 542
Keep up the good/bad news. African need a shock treatment, because so far the majority of us are lost in the pursuit of material things since moving up north. We need more debate, small or large educational forum around the country. freedom of speech for sure but not at the expense of truth. Know the truth and it shall set you free.
Thanks for sharing our story
Arame Tall
2011-07-13, Issue 539
Thanks so much for sharing our story with the world. Our Pambazuka article – http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74461 – was picked up on AllAfrica and all major international outlets on Africa news, and many friends throughout the world have told me they found out about the Senegalese revolution through your website. Thanks for allowing our voices to be heard and our story to be told in our own words. We are beyond grateful for this. I'll keep writing as the struggle continues.
An 'eye-opener’ from Yash Tandon
Response to ‘Kleptocratic capitalism: Challenges of the green economy for sustainable Africa’
Barbara Wachaga
2011-07-14, Issue 539
This is one article that has refused to stop resonating with me... Quite an eye opener and a continuous clarification of just how skewed motives and decisions, purportedly for the good of the people, in reality really are. Well put across. Thank you for this.
Land grabs alarming
Aman Abebe
2011-07-13, Issue 539
I read your article – http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74664 – and found it very interesting and alarming – profits and land grab seems to be the intention. From my understanding in Ethiopia many of the deals were land leases for large commercial farmers to produce crops using modern methods and increase food production, either for export or local consumption. The worrying impact for me is the nature, length and detail of the leases that are agreed between the sovereign government and investors and what they leave behind once the lease is up. If that can be researched it might give insight as to who gains the most overall. I look forward to reading more in-depth analysis on the subject.
Julius Malema is a demagogue
Nationalisation would be nothing but massive public subsidy for rich
Ayanda Kota
Unemployed People's Movement (UPM)
2011-06-30, Issue 537
cc CJCSouth Africa’s ANC Youth League ‘might speak in the name of the poor to advance its agenda but everyone knows that it is not a poor people’s organisation’ despite media portrayals of Julius Malema as a champion of the country’s oppressed, writes Ayanda Kota.
Shining a very bright light on Africa
Response to 'The lies behind the West's war on Libya'
Lars
2011-06-16, Issue 535
Thanks Jean-Paul Pougala for a very informative article. Your article shines a very bright light on what is happening on the African continent in global terms. I hope that unity can be found quickly amongst the African leaders. Thanks again!
Canada's warplanes and the Libyan conflict
Response to 'The lies behind the West's war on Libya'
2011-06-16, Issue 535
A truly wonderful article and explanation of the history leading to the Libyan conflict. But you failed mention that it is Canada's warplanes (at the direction of Prime Minister Stephen Harper) who have taken the lead role in the air assaults on the Libyans--to the cheers of many Canadians and to the heartfelt shame of many others like myself.
Informed public needs access to independent news
Response to 'The lies behind the West's war on Libya'
William LeGere
2011-06-16, Issue 535
‘Hopefully, in this new era of electronic information where we are no longer dependent upon corporate owned and sponsored media , people can now find access to honest, independent news agencies with truthful information, writes William LeGere.
News not coming out of Africa
Seri Nyirimpisi
2011-06-15, Issue 535
Certainly, the Africa media is inept and poor equipped and/or perhaps scared to do its job. But you have to highlight and perhaps give credit to some of the blogs that do a good job of taking over from where the local media fails. For example, one the newest blogs about Tanzania, mtafakari.blog.com, is such one that most people are not aware of, but it is literally a fantastic blog to read. Mtafakari should be given credit, and encouragement to continue.
Westerners: Champions of hypocrisy
O. Cosgrove
2011-06-15, Issue 535
I'm sometimes ashamed to be a Westerner. Throughout history, Westerners have conquered by violence as though they had a right to conquer and kill. Anyone who stands in our way is cannon fodder and anyone who competes with us, as Gaddafi has by trying to make Africa independent of western 'aid', evokes jealousy and retribution. We have not set a good example to the world; we have made power and money our gods while professing to be children of God and champions of democracy. What we are champions of is hypocrisy.
We can meet the challenges
Gerry German
Communities Empowerment Network
2011-06-16, Issue 535
Many thanks for keeping us up-to-date with events and happenings and continuing to convince us that we can meet the challenges, some of which sometimes appear overwhelming. Hundreds of problems but also hundreds of solutions, so long as we keep the faith. Peace, love and blessings on all your efforts to access freedom, equality and justice for all.
Zuma should focus on Zimbabwe instead of Libya
Ndumba Kamwanyah
2011-06-09, Issue 534
I question the wisdom of the African Union (AU) sending South African President Jacob Zuma, who is also the SADC mediator and facilitator on the Zimbabwean crisis, to Libya in an attempt to revive the AU ‘roadmap’ (another AU loaded word) for ending the conflict between Muammar Gaddafi and the anti-Gaddafi uprising. Zuma’s visit to Tripoli occurred amid concerns over Mugabe’s refusal to abide by the SADC roadmap for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe.
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