Latest news with #Misunderstood
Mail & Guardian
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Born Free: South Africa's political future: GNU, budget 3.0 & 2026/2027 party elections?
This Week on the Born Free Podcast: South African politics is at a crossroads—and Budget 3.0 may be the tipping point. Khumo Kumalo and Otsile Nkadimeng sit down with political journalist Lunga Mzangwe to unpack the turbulent road to a functioning Government of National Unity. Why did the original budget fail? Can the ANC and DA truly find common ground—or is a formal coalition agreement now inevitable? The conversation also looks ahead: both parties are facing critical internal leadership transitions, with the DA's elective conference in 2026 and the ANC's in 2027. What do these power shifts mean for the country's future? Who will shape the next chapter of South African governance? This episode dives deep into the political fault lines, ambitions, and uncertainties defining the moment. 🎙️ Don't miss this essential listen—where South Africa's political future is unpacked, challenged, and pushed forward. Khumo Kumalo is the visionary behind Misunderstood and the dynamic co-host of Born Free . Named one of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans of 2024 , he is a bold voice in the country's evolving political discourse. As the author of Newsletter 94 (formerly Misunderstood), Kumalo delves into South Africa's complex history and shifting political landscape, reflecting on the dreams and realities of a post-apartheid nation. His passion for debate and current affairs was ignited at St John's College , later taking him to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia , where he continued to sharpen his perspective on leadership and social change. Kumalo isn't just asking questions—he's challenging narratives, sparking conversations, and pushing South Africa's youth to rethink what it truly means to be Born Free . Otsile Nkadimeng is a published author, policy writer, and changemaker , balancing his role as a second-year university student with a deep commitment to youth empowerment. Recognized by News24 for his impact and awarded the Young Nelson Mandela Award in 2023 , he is shaping conversations on democracy, governance, and sustainability. As the Executive Director of SoWeVote , a platform he co-founded, Nkadimeng is making it easier for young South Africans to access critical information about politics and democracy. His advocacy extends beyond borders—he serves as a Youth Advisor to the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria and is a fellow at the International Youth Think Tank , where he contributes to global youth policy discussions. Passionate about sustainability, he has co-founded and led multiple initiatives aimed at environmental and social progress across South Africa. Whether in civic engagement, international diplomacy, or grassroots activism, Nkadimeng is at the forefront of youth-led change, proving that young voices aren't just part of the conversation—they're leading it. Disclaimer: 'Born Free' is an opinion-based podcast and does not represent the views of M&G Media (PTY) LTD, its owners, affiliates, employees, or partners. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not reflect the editorial stance of the Mail & Guardian.
Mail & Guardian
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Born Free: Why is South Africa involved in the DRC?
This week on Born Free , Khumo Kumalo and Otsile Nkadimeng are joined by African Union expert and International Crisis Group Senior Advisor, Liesl Louw-Vaudran, to unravel South Africa's military and diplomatic role in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the devastating loss of 14 SANDF soldiers, we ask the hard questions: Why is South Africa involved in this conflict? What are the stakes for regional peace and stability? And what role should the African Union actually be playing? We unpack the power plays between Ramaphosa, Kagame, and the continent's institutions—peeling back the layers on one of Africa's most pressing and least understood conflicts. This is more than foreign policy—it's about the cost of peace, the burden on our soldiers, and South Africa's place in Africa's future. Don't miss this urgent, eye-opening conversation. Khumo Kumalo is the visionary behind Misunderstood and the dynamic co-host of Born Free . Named one of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans of 2024 , he is a bold voice in the country's evolving political discourse. As the author of Newsletter 94 (formerly Misunderstood), Kumalo delves into South Africa's complex history and shifting political landscape, reflecting on the dreams and realities of a post-apartheid nation. His passion for debate and current affairs was ignited at St John's College , later taking him to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia , where he continued to sharpen his perspective on leadership and social change. Kumalo isn't just asking questions—he's challenging narratives, sparking conversations, and pushing South Africa's youth to rethink what it truly means to be Born Free . Otsile Nkadimeng is a published author, policy writer, and changemaker , balancing his role as a second-year university student with a deep commitment to youth empowerment. Recognized by News24 for his impact and awarded the Young Nelson Mandela Award in 2023 , he is shaping conversations on democracy, governance, and sustainability. As the Executive Director of SoWeVote , a platform he co-founded, Nkadimeng is making it easier for young South Africans to access critical information about politics and democracy. His advocacy extends beyond borders—he serves as a Youth Advisor to the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria and is a fellow at the International Youth Think Tank , where he contributes to global youth policy discussions. Passionate about sustainability, he has co-founded and led multiple initiatives aimed at environmental and social progress across South Africa. Whether in civic engagement, international diplomacy, or grassroots activism, Nkadimeng is at the forefront of youth-led change, proving that young voices aren't just part of the conversation—they're leading it. Disclaimer: 'Born Free' is an opinion-based podcast and does not represent the views of M&G Media (PTY) LTD, its owners, affiliates, employees, or partners. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not reflect the editorial stance of the Mail & Guardian.
Mail & Guardian
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Born Free: The gender-based violence epidemic is South Africa's hidden war
This Week on Born Free : Unpacking Gender-Based Violence in South Africa In our most urgent episode yet, hosts Otsile Nkadimeng and Khumo Kumalo sit down with Michael Benévolent Masina from the TEARS Foundation to confront one of South Africa's most pressing and painful crises: gender-based violence (GBV). Prompted by the national outcry over the tragic case of Cwecwe and the unresolved disappearance of Joshlin , this conversation exposes the deep-rooted systemic failures—within our justice system, communities, and national conscience—that continue to allow GBV to thrive. This isn't an easy listen. But it's a conversation we must have. From the voices of survivors to the work being done on the frontlines, we unpack what meaningful change looks like—and the courage it takes to demand it. 🎙️ Subscribe to Born Free and help amplify the voices calling for justice. 📢 Share this episode to raise awareness and be part of the movement to #EndGBV. #BornFreePodcast #JusticeForCwecwe #JusticeForJoshlin #EndGBV #SouthAfrica #TearsFoundation #SpeakUp #GenderJustice #YouthVoices #NoMoreSilence Khumo Kumalo is the visionary behind Misunderstood and the dynamic co-host of Born Free . Named one of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans of 2024 , he is a bold voice in the country's evolving political discourse. As the author of Newsletter 94 (formerly Misunderstood), Kumalo delves into South Africa's complex history and shifting political landscape, reflecting on the dreams and realities of a post-apartheid nation. His passion for debate and current affairs was ignited at St John's College , later taking him to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia , where he continued to sharpen his perspective on leadership and social change. Kumalo isn't just asking questions—he's challenging narratives, sparking conversations, and pushing South Africa's youth to rethink what it truly means to be Born Free . Otsile Nkadimeng is a published author, policy writer, and changemaker , balancing his role as a second-year university student with a deep commitment to youth empowerment. Recognized by News24 for his impact and awarded the Young Nelson Mandela Award in 2023 , he is shaping conversations on democracy, governance, and sustainability. As the Executive Director of SoWeVote , a platform he co-founded, Nkadimeng is making it easier for young South Africans to access critical information about politics and democracy. His advocacy extends beyond borders—he serves as a Youth Advisor to the Embassy of Sweden in Pretoria and is a fellow at the International Youth Think Tank , where he contributes to global youth policy discussions. Passionate about sustainability, he has co-founded and led multiple initiatives aimed at environmental and social progress across South Africa. Whether in civic engagement, international diplomacy, or grassroots activism, Nkadimeng is at the forefront of youth-led change, proving that young voices aren't just part of the conversation—they're leading it. Disclaimer: 'Born Free' is an opinion-based podcast and does not represent the views of M&G Media (PTY) LTD, its owners, affiliates, employees, or partners. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not reflect the editorial stance of the Mail & Guardian.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reeves replaces portraits of former PMs with art commemorating lockdown
Rachel Reeves has swapped paintings of former prime ministers and royalty from No 11 for artworks commemorating lockdown, The Telegraph can reveal. The Chancellor has removed portraits depicting her famed male predecessors David Lloyd George and Benjamin Disraeli, who both led the Treasury before leading the country. Portraits of British monarchs have also disappeared from No 11's walls since Labour won the election. Instead, the hallways are graced with abstract depictions of 'social distancing' and Covid anxiety. The changes follow a commitment from the Chancellor to remove artworks featuring male sitters and those created by male artists. It also comes as part of an artistic purge in Downing Street which has seen Sir Keir Starmer rid No 10 of portraits depicting Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, Margaret Thatcher and William Shakespeare. All works are part of the Government Art Collection, typically used to project British soft power during official visits. Incoming ministers are entitled to use the collection to decorate their offices. From the collection of 15,000 works, Ms Reeves has selected a piece titled 'Covid Anxiety 5 (Mask Disorder)' for display. The work by Donna Coleman features an abstract human head formed by a red squiggle, and appears alongside another work titled Misunderstood, featuring a charcoal swirl fronted by a black square. The artist has said that the paintings explore 'how social media affects people's wellbeing'. Also chosen for No 11 are the pieces Portrait of a Woman (Invisible Virus) numbers 46 and 47, part of a 'Quarantine Collage' by artist Lisa Fielding-Smith. The images, which are among the replacements for the more traditional portraiture, are formed of cut-outs from women's magazines. A portrait of Lloyd George by Sir William Orpen, a high society painter, was taken down following Labour's election win. The Liberal statesman served as chancellor from 1908 to 1915, and as prime minister from 1916 to 1922. A marble bust of Disraeli by Charles Bell Birch was also removed. The Jewish Conservative peer also served as chancellor several times, and headed British imperial policy as prime minister twice, first in 1868 and then from 1874 to 1880. Meanwhile, officials have further removed a terracotta bust of Charles James Fox, the radical Whig politician, who served as foreign secretary from 1803 to 1806. A portrait of James I, the first King of a united British kingdom, was taken down in the wake of Ms Reeves's move into Downing Street, along with a painting of James II. The latter painting was installed by Rishi Sunak when he was chancellor, despite the image being under a Black Lives Matter-inspired 'review' into James's links to the slave trade. Ms Reeves has also installed a statuette of Suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett. The piece served as the model for the large-scale work installed in Parliament Square. A portrait of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough has also been placed in No 11. The wife of the first Duke of Marlborough was portrayed by Rachel Weisz in the 2018 film The Favourite as the lover and friend of Queen Anne. In 2024, Ms Reeves said she wanted to make space for artworks that were either 'of a woman or by a woman', although works by men remain on display. Next door, there has been no explicit policy for what should or should not be displayed in No 10, but several famous historical figures have had their portraits removed from the Prime Minister's residence. Sir Keir was accused of 'philistinism' when The Telegraph revealed that a portrait of Shakespeare had been taken down, leaving no images of the globally revered writer in Downing Street. The Treasury has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
