22 December 2012 — Pambazuka News
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Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839
CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Books & arts
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Highlights from this issue
We would like to wish all our subscribers a happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Pambazuka News will cease publication from 20 Dec 2012 and resume on 10 January 2013.
EDITORS
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1 Features
SOUTH AFRICA: A COUNTRY AT ODDS?
Social discontent and the ANC leadership
Thabani Mdlongwa, Azwifaneli Managa, Lwazi Apleni and Bertha Chiroro
The just concluded ANC conference at which Jacob Zuma was re-elected
party president came against the backdrop of growing violent
discontent among ordinary people who are dissatisfied with government
performance.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85845
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ZUMA AND ZULU NATIONALISM
William Gumede
Zuma has skillfully used Zulu or African ‘traditions’ to cover-up poor
personal choices, indiscretions and wrong behavior, and portrayed
those who oppose such poor behavior of being opposed to African
‘traditions’ or ‘culture,’ argues William Gumede.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85841
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POLITICS, PROFITS AND POLICING AFTER MARIKANA
Patrick Bond
As the official South African judicial investigating commission into
the Marikana Massacre draws to a close in 2012, with many weeks of
testimony in 2013 still ahead, what did the SA Police Service (SAPS)
learn from their behaviour?
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85848
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GOOD-ENOUGH RACIAL EQUALITY AT WORLD BANK
Adrienne Smith
The effort to abolish racial discrimination within the World Bank
largely depends on the whims of its president and his perception of
what is good enough for blacks. Adrienne Smith argues that after more
than three decades of pledges and reaffirmed promises to end
discrimination the Bank’s reforms have failed
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85843
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AFRICA: THE NEXT TWENTY YEARS
J. Paul Martin
What can Africa anticipate over the next twenty years? More of the
same? If it is not to be more of the same, what economic and political
processes need to change? J. Paul Martin looks into Africa’s future
and addresses these crucial questions.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85839
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ELECTORAL POLITICS AND TRANSITION IN KENYA
The 2013 general elections as a tipping point
Antony Otieno Ong’ayo
With elections in March 2013 Antony Otieno Ong’ayo reflects on how
ethnicity has become politicised in Kenya’s past violent elections and
argues that the forthcoming election is a bridge between stagnation
and a forward leap towards a middle-income country
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85844
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RULE BRITANNIA: EMPIRE ON TRIAL
Katie Engelhart
An attempt to twist posterity and the archival record for future
generations has been exposed as a consequence of a British court
ruling in a case by Kenyan freedom fighters
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85842
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HISTORY, IMPERIALISM AND ENDANGERED AFRICANS
Sankara Kamara
Whilst the international community celebrates the anniversary of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 2012, Sankara
Kamara reflects on the dehumanization and outright denial of human
rights for Africans through the experiences of enslavement and
colonisation
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85840
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ETHIOPIA AND KENYA HAVE TAKEN OVER SOMALIA
Mohamud M Uluso
The recent Memorandum of Understanding delegitimizes the federal
government and pre-empts its sovereign leadership role in the internal
and external affairs of Somalia
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85847
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WILL US STAND BY THE SIDE OF BRAVE AFRICANS?
Alemayehu G Mariam
Is the US standing with brave Africans or in bed with Africa’s
strongmen? Now, at the cusp of the beginning of President Obama’s
second term, there are some tough questions about his promises to
Africa
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/85846
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2 Announcements
CALLING YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS
The 2013 Akili Dada Fellowship application process is now open
Akili Dada
The Fellowship is an opportunity for Kenyan women to design and
implement solutions to the challenges faced by their communities.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/Announce/85837
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3 Comment & analysis
HEROES AND “HERO-IZATION”: A CAUTION
David Cupples
Heroic efforts by individuals and NGOs may have beneficial outcomes
and in very poor countries may be a prime option for dealing with
social ills. But African leaders are advised against the wholesale
adoption of Western ideals of “personal responsibility.”
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/85849
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WHY MALAWI’S EDUCATION SECTOR IS IN A MESS
Steve Sharra
Problems in Malawi’s education sector are tied to the country’s
governance and have their roots in a broader global context of
economic and education policy prescriptions
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/85850
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WORKING ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER
Reflections on leaving Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
Lawrence Mute
During his time at the commission, Mute recalls many achievements on
behalf of Kenyans. But there were also times when people appeared to
be momentarily distracted from the things that really mattered
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/85851
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BIOFUELS FUELING AND CEMENTING THE CYCLE POVERTY
Collins Cheruiyot
Many farmers who were duped into growing crops for biofuels have
nothing to show for their investment. As well, the biofuels craze is
behind land grabs in Africa
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/85852
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4 Books & arts
MUGABE: VILLAIN OR HERO?
Ama Biney
This new film exposes the truth behind President Robert Mugabe’s
troubles with the West. But it lacks the nuances, complexities and
critical questions (other than ‘the land question’) that are key to
understanding Mugabe’s legacy
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/85853
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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 249, Issue 1
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The New Dark Age 