This paper discusses the crisis facing South Africa’s state-owned company Eskom and its general relationship to people’s struggle and the pursuit for energy alternatives.

Once again, a formidable burst of state brutality against Zimbabwe’s citizenry has left at least a dozen corpses, scores of serious injuries, mass arrests, Internet suspension and a furious citizenry. The 14-17 January nationwide protests were called by trade unions against an unprecedented fuel price hike, leading to repression reminiscent of former leader Robert Mugabe’s iron fist.

The old guard of South Africa’s ruling party put on new clothes last year, and a new party of the working class finally made its debut.

A recent conference in South Africa raised issues on whether universal healthcare should be a private or state-driven endeavour.

Trade union renewal is high on the agenda in many countries, but we need to think carefully about why we want it.