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Mail & Guardian
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Nelson Mandela's legacy is now our responsibility
In times of turmoil Nelson Mandela's legacy is a reminder to succeeding generations about his human-centred principles and values. (Photo: Per-Anders Pettersson/Liaison Agency From New York, Lagos, Geneva and Kingstone to Kampala and Cape Town, the world commemorated Nelson Mandela Day on 18 July, a black man who never bowed down to oppression, racial inequalities and human denigration during the days of apartheid in South Africa. The United Nations General Assembly, in 2009, declared Mandela's birthday a day to celebrate his life and as a call to action that every person has the ability and power to transform the world. In a cocktail of events, generous remarks about Mandela's life were made, but the words of UN secretary general Antonio Guterres stood out: 'Mandela's legacy is now our responsibility.' This ignited my brain to reminisce, reflect and comprehend how one can amplify his call to action. In his speech Guterres stated: 'Nelson Mandela showed how one can transform oppression, struggle and subjugation into reconciliation, social justice and unity' to remind the world about working for humanity and the planet as the UN marks 80 years of existence. This year, Mandela Day comes at a critical time when the world is going through the turmoil of full-scale wars, trade and tariff wars, civil unrest, a food security and healthcare crisis, climate catastrophes and backsliding democracies. In times of turmoil Mandela's legacy is a reminder to succeeding generations about his human-centred principles and values he sustained from his early days as a leader in the struggle against apartheid to prison life and then as an exemplary president and world statesman. During his trial days Mandela's life teaches the privileged people to speak up against injustices and restlessly push back against oppression, racial abuse, bad governance and unfairness in all its forms. He unequivocally fought for human dignity, rights and freedoms of everyone. Unfortunately, in the world today, undemocratic tendencies such as kleptocracy, totalitarianism, dictatorship and authoritarianism are growing long horns. One of the invaluable lessons of Mandela's life is not making political power a personal commodity by a sitting president, as we are witnessing in Uganda, Cameroon, Rwanda and South Sudan. Mandela served only one term as president. The idea of hoarding power as a personal possession by post-independence African liberators has exposed Libya, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and others into endless military coups, civil wars, political instability, refugee crises and economic setbacks. He spent 27 years in prison but, in negotiating a transition to democracy and as president Mandela did not seek vengeance but rather reconciliation and forgiveness. He is vividly remembered when he introduced a 'One team, one nation' slogan ahead of the Rugby World Cup and later joined Springbok captain Francois Pienaar in lifting the trophy. This was a historical gesture and symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation in a wounded country of hate and extremism. In his speech from the dock in the 1964 Rivonia Trial, he said: 'During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.' Extremism is threatening world peace and stability and it is incumbent upon us and succeeding generations to elevate Mandela's efforts of building unity, tolerance and co-existence. Mandela's inspirational legacy as a vanguard of human rights and good governance continues to inspire many emerging young African leaders such as Bobi Wine, Nelson Chamesa and Boniface Mwangi in advancing human rights, freedom and democracy in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Kenya respectively. Mandela's legacy is being sustained through various initiatives such as the Mandela Washington Fellowship for young promising grassroot leaders. It is now our responsibility to replicate Mandela's legacy as he forewarned that 'as long as poverty, Injustices and gross inequalities persist in our world none of us can truly rest'. Let us not be the generation that fiddled away while the vast majority of our forests were cut, human dignity was denigrated, press freedom was under siege and democracy eroded. Robert Kigongo is a sustainable development analyst.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia shifts from race-based to needs-based policies under 13MP to promote social justice and equal opportunities, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 — The government is determined to shift from race-based solutions to needs-based approaches to achieve social justice and equitable opportunities, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. Tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today, he announced a range of initiatives covering the economic, educational and infrastructure sectors to ensure that all communities enjoy the fruits of the nation's development. To enhance the protection of rights and status of the Orang Asli community, he said the Aboriginal Peoples Act 1954 (Act 134) will be reviewed, particularly in areas concerning land ownership, education and infrastructure, to improve their socio-economic wellbeing. 'A policy review will be conducted to ensure that the Orang Asli community receives fair and equitable benefits,' he said. The prime minister said that educational access for the Orang Asli community will remain a government priority, including the direct provision of school aid to parents and the expansion of community-based schools. As for the Bumiputera community, Anwar said the Bumiputera Economic Transformation Plan 2035 (PuTERA35) will focus on the '3P' strategy — broad-based participation, meaningful ownership and strategic sector dominance. He said the government will continue to assist Bumiputera companies in preparing for listing on Bursa Malaysia, including through a 'relay race' model aimed at empowering and nurturing entrepreneurs from the startup stage to public listing. 'Government-linked companies (GLCs) will facilitate institutional support for Bumiputera entrepreneurs, to produce 10 Bumiputera champions in the supply chain, each targeted to grow into companies worth over RM500 million,' he said. The Finance Minister added that socio-economic development for Anak Negeri (natives) in Sabah and Bumiputera in Sarawak will also be strengthened. This includes expanding business opportunities through the provision of commercial premises, access to financing and entrepreneurship training and mentoring programmes. The Chinese community will also benefit from the implementation of the 'New Village Development Master Plan', which includes financing schemes for entrepreneurial activities and the upgrading of hawker stall sites. Regarding the Indian community, Anwar said focus will be placed on increasing career opportunities through education and talent development, especially in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). 'Home improvement initiatives and better governance in the management of Indian community affairs will also be implemented,' he said. He said infrastructure and public amenities will be improved to enhance social connectivity and quality of life among the Chinese and Indian communities, including women, youths and senior citizens. — Bernama
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles receives honorary doctorate from NWU
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. On Wednesday, 30 July, the North-West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate on Professor Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles, a distinguished Caribbean historian and vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI). The award recognises Sir Hilary's formidable academic contributions and his global advocacy for social justice. On the evening before the ceremony, he delivered a public lecture, titled: 'From Durban to Accra: Rise of the Global Reparations Movement'. The honorary doctorate – Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in History – from the NWU's Faculty of Humanities, stands as a testament to Beckles' lifelong effort to use history as a tool for healing and reform. Beckles described the honorary doctorate as a deeply personal honour. 'This feels like a validation of my life's work,' he said. 'As a teenager in the UK, I was actively involved in the anti-apartheid and Free Nelson Mandela campaigns. I've always been philosophically opposed to injustice. I'm a humanist, and I believe in humanity at its best.' Beckles recalled meeting Steve Biko in Zambia as a student. 'I expressed concern for his safety, and he told me that if I ever had a son, I might name him after him. He lost his life, and I honoured that legacy. My son's name is Biko.' Reflecting on the honorary doctorate, he added: 'To be here, decades later, nearing the end of my career, it means everything. It fills me with joy and gratitude.' Beckles is not merely a chronicler of the past. With over 100 peer-reviewed articles, 20 academic books and his role as editor of UNESCO's General History of Africa, he has helped reshape scholarly and public understanding of the Atlantic slave trade, colonialism and Caribbean identity. Cricket, too, has served as a site of analysis and advocacy. From 2007 to 2013, he was a member of the West Indies Cricket Board, engaging with the sport both intellectually and institutionally. Yet it is his work beyond the classroom and archive that distinguishes Beckles. As chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, he has translated historical insight into political action. His efforts have prompted governments – including the Netherlands – to issue formal apologies for their colonial histories. He has also influenced initiatives such as the US House of Representatives' HR 40 Bill, and contributed to the African Union's upcoming 2025 'Year of Reparations' and the proposal for an international reparations tribunal. Under his leadership, the University of the West Indies has expanded its global footprint, attaining 'triple first' status in 2020: first in the Caribbean, among the top 1% of universities in Latin America, and in the top 1% of institutions worldwide aged between 50 and 80 years. His vision has included the creation of 10 international centres from Africa to Asia, and the launch of platforms such as UWITV. The Five Islands Campus in Antigua and Barbuda stands as a tangible legacy of this expansive strategy. Beckles' many accolades include a knighthood from Barbados, the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Award for Social Justice, and designation as the American Historical Association's 2022 Honorary Foreign Member. 'We are honoured to have conferred an honorary doctorate upon Professor Sir Hilary Beckles – a distinguished scholar and public intellectual whose life's work is a masterclass in using academic inquiry as a force for societal transformation. As vice-chancellor of the UWI, chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission and chairman of the United Nations University, to name but a few roles, Sir Hilary has brought academia to the service of justice, championing reparatory redress as both a moral imperative and an economic necessity,' said Professor Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU. • Find attach a voice recording of Sir Hilary on receiving his honorary doctorate. • Follow the link to the article here: • Watch a video of the event as well as an interview with Sir Hilary below:
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
California Gen-Zers no longer care about social justice issues that were their top priorities in 2020, new poll shows
California 's Gen-Z has abandoned the social justice causes that dominated their top priorities in 2020, according to a new poll. The survey, by non-profit organization Power California, included 1,890 Californians aged 18 to 30 and found that economic worries are now taking priority over social justice issues. The cost of living and inflation have moved to the top of the list of young people's concerns, while issues like police brutality and protecting immigrants didn't even make the top five. 'It's not so much that young people don't care about social issues - because they very much do - [it's] because they're living paycheck to paycheck,' Saa'un Bell, the executive vice president of Power California, told SF Gate. '[Social issues are] very important, but they're not the most urgent thing for young people right now,' Bell said. Economic pressures are taking a severe toll on young Californians. According to the poll, 80 percent said the cost of living has outpaced their wages. Nearly one in three respondents have been forced to take on a second job. Bay Area residents are most likely to work multiple jobs or side hustles. The poll also revealed young Californians' reaction to Donald Trump's second presidency. In the Bay Area, 70 percent disapproved of Trump's first 100 days in office while 59 percent said he has had 'a negative effect on the way things are going in California.' More than half or 56 percent opposed Trump's recent punishment of universities. But Gen-Zers are dissatisfied with more than just the Trump admin. Only 51 percent of Bay Area respondents had a favorable view of the Democratic Party. And 54 percent of young Californians statewide said the state was 'headed in the wrong direction.' That is up six percentage points from last year. The survey was conducted in late spring by Latino Decisions in partnership with Power California. The political opinion firm has previously worked with Hillary Clinton's and Joe Biden's presidential campaigns. Earlier this month, a string of polls revealed President Donald Trump was losing ground fast with Gen-Z, with his approval among young voters plunging to record lows. The YouGov/Yahoo survey found Trump's net approval among Gen Z voters collapsed from -23 in May to a staggering -41 in June, with just 27 percent approving of his job performance. A separate Quantus poll showed his Gen Z approval dropped from 46 percent in June to just 35 percent in early July, and an ActiVote poll found disapproval surged to 62 percent. It comes just months after he made surprising gains in the 2024 election. Experts said the sharp drop reflects frustration with Trump's handling of key issues like the economy, inflation and immigration. On inflation alone, YouGov/Economist data shows his Gen Z approval sank from 32 percent to just 23 percent over the past month. Trump had significantly narrowed the Gen Z gap in 2024, losing 18–29-year-olds to Kamala Harris by just four points. A key part of that push was his teenage son Barron, who became an unlikely asset on the campaign trail.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The ‘Black Sundance' honoring film-makers of color and focusing on community building
The voice of the writer Toni Cade Bambara overlays a montage of archival film and photographs of Black people at school and work in a new feature documentary about her life. 'The Reconstruction era offers a window into the 1930s,' Bambara says in the film. 'There is the same drive for land, for the vote, for labor rights, education. The same need for self-help enterprises, for group cooperation.' So begins The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing, the biographical film about the Black author, documentarian and social activist whose work on Black liberation and feminism helped inspire 20th-century social justice movements. The documentary by the film-maker Louis Massiah is a composite of her words and stories from her friends including Toni Morrison. A screening of the Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing will kick off the 14th annual BlackStar Film Festival, running from 31 July to 3 August in various locations around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and online. Ranging from shorts to features, the more than 90 films in this year's program are 'leaning into the moment', said the festival director, Nehad Khader, by highlighting films about legacy and the power of community building, as well as labor and economics. The festival, produced by the non-profit BlackStar Projects, showcases the work of film-makers of color, earning it the nickname, the 'Black Sundance' by Ebony Magazine. Last year, more than 15,000 viewers attended the BlackStar film festival in person and online. Its emphasis on genre-defying films, said Khader, and solidarity among Black, brown and Indigenous people sets it apart from similar festivals. Festival staff strive to make it inclusive by offering childcare to the film-makers throughout the showings, providing American sign language interpreters for public events, and including audio descriptions in some of the screenings. Along with the films, the festival also features a session for eight independent film-makers to pitch their ideas to a judge of executives, funders and producers, with the chance to win $75,000 to go toward production costs, as well as mentorship from the production company Multitude Films. The team behind the StoryCorps program Brightness in Black, which highlights stories about Black life across the US, will also host a live event about using storytelling to inspire change. A licensed clinical social worker will guide festivalgoers to reflect on ancestral wisdom during wellness sessions throughout the four days, and yoga classes will be offered in the mornings. Panel discussions will highlight ways to preserve archives in the face of censorship, honor the legacy of Black film-makers and storytellers, and Black music as a tool for resistance. Mixers for film-makers and viewers will be held throughout the weekend, and the festival will begin and end with evening parties. In our current socio-political climate, the Black Star Film Festival 'is a place to build community more than anything else', said Khader. 'In community you can grieve and you can celebrate and that's what human connection and society and evolution has been about for hundreds of thousands of years,' she said. Massiah, who was a friend and colleague of Bambara's before her death in 1995, sees the BlackStar Film Festival attenders as the intended audience for his film. 'Bambara was clear,' Massiah said over email. 'She prophesizes in the film that a festival gathering like BlackStar is crucial for the kind of society that we're trying to build.' Khader hopes that the message around the power of community in the opening film about Bambara will set the tone throughout the festival's four days. 'We want people to come away feeling like they're cared for, their wellness was thought of,' Khader said, 'like they had a moment in these difficult times to celebrate, and also to reflect on everything that's happening.' In summer 2012, the film festival began as a screening of 40 films from four continents over four days. Maori Karmael Holmes, the founder, chief executive and artistic officer of BlackStar Projects, created the festival with her friends and colleagues out of what she saw as a dearth of showcases featuring Black film-makers. Full-time staff for the festival has grown from none in its first eight years to 20 this year. BlackStar Projects has also expanded programming to include Seen, a twice-yearly journal featuring art and writings by Black, brown and Indigenous people. The group also hosted a seminar for cinematic artists of color in Palo Alto, California, in March. Four film-makers of color were selected for BlackStar's 2025 yearlong fellowship, in which they each received $50,000 in production funding, mentorship and their films will premiere at this year's festival. BlackStar Projects has also helped organize and curate multimedia exhibitions throughout Philadelphia for nearly a decade. For Holmes, the annual festival goes beyond representation by not only ensuring that the films feature Black and brown actors, but also that they explore themes often overlooked by mainstream showcases, such as global solidarity and social justice. 'I think it's important for people whose stories often end up on the margins, to have a space where they are centered so that they can, in ways, find respite, joy and comfort,' Holmes said. 'A lot of film-makers talk about the audiences of the festival looking like their friends and family, where in a lot of the mainstream festival circuit, it's often people who are not like the film-maker.' When Khader selects films for the festival, she said that she looks for ones that 'have their finger on the pulse of the moment, socially, politically, economically, environmentally'. Since viewers are based around the world, she chooses films that reflect global themes. For instance, the feature narrative All That's Left of You by Cherien Dabis navigates intergenerational trauma as a Palestinian mother recounts the 70 years of events that led her teenage son to be confronted by an Israeli soldier at a West Bank protest. Under the theme of legacy and grief, the documentary Third Act by Tadashi Nakamura is about his film-maker father, Robert Nakamura, a seminal figure in Asian American media who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Black motherhood is explored in Listen to Me by the first-time film-makers Stephanie Etienne, a midwife and herbalist, and Kanika Harris, an executive director at the non-profit the National Association to Advance Black Birth, where she focuses on reproductive health; Holmes said that their 'urgent justice-oriented work' reflects an ethos that BlackStar looks for in films. The feature documentary follows three Black women facing institutional racism on their journey to motherhood. Amid the exploration of joy and pain in the films, the festival's culture is akin to a family reunion, said Holmes. In its 14th year, some viewers attended as babies and have grown up along with the festival. 'It's a homecoming for the film-makers,' Holmes said, 'but it now also feels like a homecoming for the attendees.'
