Protestors storm parliament, and serial-offender Luis Suárez bites again, some of the historical moments on this day
President Thabo Mbeki sets the bar too high during his first SONA
1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn: General George Custer and the US Seventh Cavalry are wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors.
1904 Cape Town is flooded again within the space of a few days as streets turn into raging torrents. A considerable amount of damage is recorded, but there are no records of fatalities.
1940 A conference of editors in Pretoria agrees to voluntary censorship on military matters and keep the public in the dark about World War II as much as possible.
1947 The Diary of a Young Girl (aka The Diary of Anne Frank) is published. The book is significant in that it speaks for the voiceless (especially children, whose stories have never been told), is a witness to atrocity, and a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Anne's words – such as 'In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart' – are a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and a plea for tolerance, compassion, and peace.
1948 The Berlin Airlift begins, ferrying humanitarian supplies into the city. The South African Air Force is strongly involved.
1950 The Korean War begins. SA, as a founding member of the UN, sends an air force squadron. 33 South African pilots are killed.
1999 In his first State-Of-the-Nation-Address, President Thabo Mbeki promises to tackle crime; SA's murder rate is third highest in the world. This year (2025), it is slightly improved at 10th-highest. Lesotho is the fourth-worst.
2006 In Jeppestown, Joburg, four cops are ambushed and shot dead by a 23-strong gang of robbers. The Task Force goes in and kill eight of the gang. The rest surrender.
2014 Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is charged with biting at the Fifa World Cup. The serial-offender apologises and reforms.
2020 Liverpool clinches first EPL soccer title in 30 years with 7 games to spare.
2022 The 30 000-year-old intact remains of a baby woolly mammoth is found frozen in permafrost in gold-fields of Yukon, Canada.
2024 China's Chang'e 6 mission is the first to return samples from the far side of the moon.
2024 Protesters storm parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, and set it alight. Police open fire on them, killing five and wounding 31.
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IOL News
21 hours ago
- IOL News
Protestors storm parliament, and serial-offender Luis Suárez bites again, some of the historical moments on this day
President Thabo Mbeki sets the bar too high during his first SONA 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn: General George Custer and the US Seventh Cavalry are wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. 1904 Cape Town is flooded again within the space of a few days as streets turn into raging torrents. A considerable amount of damage is recorded, but there are no records of fatalities. 1940 A conference of editors in Pretoria agrees to voluntary censorship on military matters and keep the public in the dark about World War II as much as possible. 1947 The Diary of a Young Girl (aka The Diary of Anne Frank) is published. The book is significant in that it speaks for the voiceless (especially children, whose stories have never been told), is a witness to atrocity, and a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Anne's words – such as 'In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart' – are a powerful testament to the enduring human spirit and a plea for tolerance, compassion, and peace. 1948 The Berlin Airlift begins, ferrying humanitarian supplies into the city. The South African Air Force is strongly involved. 1950 The Korean War begins. SA, as a founding member of the UN, sends an air force squadron. 33 South African pilots are killed. 1999 In his first State-Of-the-Nation-Address, President Thabo Mbeki promises to tackle crime; SA's murder rate is third highest in the world. This year (2025), it is slightly improved at 10th-highest. Lesotho is the fourth-worst. 2006 In Jeppestown, Joburg, four cops are ambushed and shot dead by a 23-strong gang of robbers. The Task Force goes in and kill eight of the gang. The rest surrender. 2014 Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is charged with biting at the Fifa World Cup. The serial-offender apologises and reforms. 2020 Liverpool clinches first EPL soccer title in 30 years with 7 games to spare. 2022 The 30 000-year-old intact remains of a baby woolly mammoth is found frozen in permafrost in gold-fields of Yukon, Canada. 2024 China's Chang'e 6 mission is the first to return samples from the far side of the moon. 2024 Protesters storm parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, and set it alight. Police open fire on them, killing five and wounding 31. DAILY NEWS
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
Turning 80, UN faces fresh storm of doubts
USA - With its influence discredited and its budget in tatters, the United Nations is weathering a firestorm of criticism as it celebrates its 80th anniversary - and tries to convince a polarised and conflict-wracked world it is more vital than ever. The UN's 193 member states will mark Thursday the signing of the organisation's foundational treaty, the UN Charter, on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco. After ratification, the United Nations came into being on October 24. The anniversary comes as the world body faces a multi-faceted crisis that has raised questions about its future. "Since the end of the Cold War, we have seen the organisation struggle in cases from the Rwandan genocide to the Iraq war," Richard Gowan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, told AFP. "When each big crisis comes, commentators announce that the UN is finished. And yet it still survives," he added. "That said, this is an especially bad moment," Gowan acknowledged, pointing to numerous countries that are "deeply frustrated" by the UN Security Council's failure to act on major conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza. That inaction is largely due to the veto power of the council's five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - which have competing interests. "The UN system as a whole has a credibility crisis, and it is not clear that the organisation's members have the resources or political energy to rescue it," Gowan told AFP. For Romuald Sciora, a research fellow at the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, the credibility issue can only result in the virtual disappearance of an organisation that is already a political "dwarf" on the world stage. "I'm not sure the UN will cease to exist, even by its 100th anniversary," Sciora told AFP. "I see a slow vanishing, and the UN becoming a bit of a ghost," like "these old organisations whose names we have forgotten." But experts say while the UN desperately needs to enact tough reforms, not all of its problems come from within, and it has become an easy scapegoat for its divided membership. - 'Worse' without UN - Gissou Nia of the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank says she fears that "the approach of might is right... is what is taking hold, and it brings us further and further away from the ideals" that led to the UN's founding as World War II ended. Nia, a human rights lawyer, says she hopes enough people will remain committed to the set of ideals and values "that will keep the UN alive," but still worries about the constant questioning of those values, notably from US ally Israel. "The constant berating from some very loud voices about the UN either being anti-Semitic, or the UN being a waste of funding, or the UN propping up dictators, actually has an impact," Nia told AFP. In a world devastated by the largest number of ongoing conflicts since 1945, and ravaged by major humanitarian crises, "the United Nations has never been more needed," Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said recently. "Our values have never been more relevant. And the needs have never been greater." Funding has nevertheless grown scarce as donors - especially the United States under President Donald Trump - pull back. Given the financial constraints, Guterres launched the UN80 initiative in a bid to streamline operations. Those changes could include thousands of positions being cut. For Gowan, "the UN is a very big organisation, and of course it suffers from a variety of bureaucratic problems, just as almost all big organisations do. (...) So of course it deserves scrutiny and criticism." But, he added, "I think we have gotten a bit too accustomed to having this system at our service, and tend to spend too much time grumbling about its flaws and not enough time acknowledging its successes." The United Nations remains a place where arch-rivals and enemies still sit at the same table to air grievances, and where the smallest member state can have its voice heard. The UN also does important work on the ground, from the World Food Programme bringing needed supplies to more than 100 million people in 120 countries last year, to the thousands of peacekeepers protecting civilians in conflict zones. "The UN was a magnificent tool," Sciora said. "Obviously, it would be worse if it were to disappear from one day to the next." By Amélie Bottollier-depois
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki: An intellectual powerhouse far ahead of his generation
Former President Thabo Mbeki was known for crafting his own speeches, engaging in thoughtful debates, and challenging conventional wisdom. Let us remember Mbeki not as a relic of the past, but as a beacon for the future. Image: DIRCO 'You have to lead. You should be sensitive to what your followers think. But if you do exactly what they want, you are not a leader.' — Mahathir Mohamad IN an era where political leadership often prioritises popularity over principle, former president Thabo Mbeki stood out as a rare intellectual force in South African politics. Unlike his predecessors, who relied heavily on speechwriters, Mbeki was known for crafting his own speeches, engaging in thoughtful debates, and challenging conventional wisdom. Mbeki's presidency was marked by a unique blend of intellect and political acumen. He dared to question dominant narratives, most notably during the HIV/Aids crisis, when he encouraged broader scientific discourse rather than accepting prevailing assumptions uncritically. While this approach drew criticism, it also highlighted his commitment to reasoned inquiry — a hallmark of his leadership style. His ability to bridge the gap between academia and governance set him apart. Mbeki was not only a politician but also a thinker — one who could frame complex policy issues with clarity and originality. He approached governance with a philosopher's depth and a statesman's pragmatism, making him one of Africa's most respected leaders. 'What happens,' asked Mahmood Mamdani, commenting on the William Makgoba imbroglio at Wits, 'when seekers of knowledge turn around and claim to be custodians of knowledge? Knowledge seeking is a profoundly humble and a profoundly subversive activity. Its starting point, Socrates' fashion, is both the admission of ignorance in self and the questioning of truth. Knowledge-custody, on the other hand, is more of a self-appointed priestly affair, both arrogant and conservative.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Indeed, Mbeki's critical intellect and his unwillingness to be swamped by the opinion of the herd were best captured by his pronouncements on issues of national concern, more specifically concerning the HIV/Aids debate. To be president of a country does not necessarily mean that one should not have or express personal views on matters of national interest. Even though, for public figures, the line between the private and the public is often blurred, it is sometimes necessary to keep it in mind, especially in this age of the unscrupulous press and the paparazzi. Mbeki's intellectual rigour was matched by his dedication to public service. He oversaw economic reforms that stabilised South Africa's post-apartheid economy and championed Pan-Africanism through initiatives like the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad). As a diplomat, he played a key role in mediating regional conflicts and elevating South Africa's global standing. Despite his achievements, Mbeki's intellectual independence made him a polarising figure. Critics accused him of being aloof or overly theoretical, yet these very traits enabled him to govern with vision and consistency. In a political climate increasingly dominated by populism and short-term thinking, Mbeki's legacy reminds us of the value of critical thought and principled leadership. A product of ANC liberation traditions, Mbeki inherited a deep commitment to justice from his father, Govan Mbeki, and his mother, Epainette Mbeki. Educated abroad during decades of exile, he returned to help shape South Africa's democratic future. His tenure as deputy president under then-president Nelson Mandela positioned him as a natural successor, and he led the country from 1999 until his controversial recall in 2008. Since Mbeki's departure from office, political discourse in South Africa has arguably deteriorated. Parliamentary debate has become more performative than substantive, and intellectual engagement is often sidelined. This decline underscores the importance of nurturing critical thinking from an early age, encouraging young people to question, reflect, and challenge established norms. Mbeki's intellectual contributions extend beyond policy. He understood that history is not merely a record of events but a lens through which we interpret the present and imagine the future. Drawing from thinkers like Giorgio Agamben and Roger Simon, Mbeki framed the past not as a burden but as a source of insight — an untimely light illuminating the complexities of our time. As Isaiah Berlin once noted, understanding a thinker requires identifying the central idea that animates their work. For Mbeki, that idea was the transformative power of knowledge, both as a tool for development and as a moral compass guiding political action. He believed in Africa's potential to chart its own course and advocated for African solutions to African problems. The modern world demands leaders who can marry intellect with governance. As Robert Taylor argued, instinct alone cannot navigate the complexities of contemporary challenges. A nation's survival depends on leaders who apply rigorous thought to practical affairs. Mbeki exemplified this ideal, combining scholarly reflection with decisive leadership. Edward Said warned against intellectuals who shy away from difficult truths out of fear of controversy. Mbeki never shied away. He remained steadfast in his convictions, even when they placed him at odds with popular opinion. That courage, coupled with his eloquence and integrity, defined his legacy. As Said put it: 'Nothing in my mind is more reprehensible than those habits of mind in the intellectual that induce avoidance, that characteristic turning away from a difficult and principled position which you know to be the right one.' Ever since Mbeki left Parliament, there has been a 'dumbing down' of political discourse in the National Assembly. Politicians seem almost frightened, if not apathetic, about showing intellect. Politicians have become intellectually moribund. Cacophony in the form of heckling has replaced robust political discourse. Sadly, this is characteristic of our society at large. It starts right early in school classes. Children need to be taught to have independent thoughts, to question what they are given, and to challenge myths. Mbeki is the nation's best thinker among politicians, and the best politician among thinkers. Mbeki is the most widely respected politician on the entire African continent, if not the world. A consistent theme throughout Mbeki's political career has been his inimitable ability to frame and reframe a debate on a given public policy problem by relying on data and originality, not ideology, and to do it with wry and perceptive wit and eloquent wisdom that cannot escape one's attention. Mbeki is the epitome and embodiment of exceptional and illuminating lifelong virtues. For anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him, it is not hard to remember his awesome personality. Throughout his political life, he has won wide respect as a voice of reason and a source of wisdom. He is the resolute voice for wisdom and decency. Armed with colossal energy and astute judgment, he has helped settle some of the most complex international disputes. Today, Mbeki's ideas are resurging in relevance. As South Africa grapples with economic stagnation and political uncertainty, there is renewed interest in his vision of rational governance, Pan-African solidarity, and intellectual courage. His absence from active politics left a void — one that few have been able to fill. Let us remember Thabo Mbeki not as a relic of the past, but as a beacon for the future. * Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, IOL, or Independent Media. Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.
