Pro-Israel racist group ADL moves to co-opt Black Lives Matter

30 June 2020 — The Electronic Intifada

Ali Abunimah

Soldiers restrain a blindfolded youth

The Anti-Defamation League tries to portray itself as an ally of Black Lives Matter while shielding Israel from criticism for its abuses of Palestinian rights. – Wisam Hashlamoun ZUMA Press

For those who yearn for an end to systemic racism, these are exhilarating times as Black activists and organizations lead a global uprising against symbols and structures of white supremacy.

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Revolts Against The Neoliberal World Order

28 October 2019 — Dissident Voice

by Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers

March in Cape Town, South Africa, March 19, 2014 (from ActiveStills.org.)

Protests against the US and big finance-imposed neoliberal capitalism have exploded across the globe. Two weeks ago, in Pink Tide Against US Domination Rising Again In Latin America, we reviewed 12 Latin America nations that are rising up against privatization, the cutting of social programs, soaring prices and low wages. In the last week, mass protests in Chile and Bolivia have begun and Lebanon has widespread protests against debt and austerity measures.

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The Vela Flash: Forty Years Ago

22 September 2019 — National Security Archive

Controversy Hovers over Possible Nuclear Signal Detected in South Atlantic in 1979; Israeli or South African Origin Suspected by Some Experts – and President Carter

CIA Saw “Probability of a Nuclear Test as 90% Plus,” According to Newly Posted Document

Additional Evidence Casts Doubts on White House Science Advisers’ Dismissal of Possibility of a Nuclear Test

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BRICS Summit in South Africa, U.S. Trade War Escalates: Selected Articles

2 August 2018 — Global Research News

BRICS Summit Held in South Africa While U.S. Trade War Escalates

By Abayomi Azikiwe, August 02, 2018

Republic of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the 10th BRICS Summit where strong opposition to the burgeoning trade and currency wars initiated by the United States administration of President Donald Trump was assailed. Continue reading

Remembering Bra Hugh Masekela

26 January 2018 — Jazz on the Tube

Hugh Masekela (April 4, 1939 – January 23, 2018)

Hugh Masekela “Grazing In The Grass” live at the Kuumbwa, March 24th, 2014

I had the pleasure, and the honour of hanging out with Bra Hugh on a number of occasions when I lived Johannesburg as well as here in London when he visited here. A modest and honest human being, who was the same offstage as we was on, and who dedicated his life, not only to the wonderful music of South Africa but to the struggle to free its people from the evil of Apartheid.

As they say  in SA, Hamba Kahle Bra Hugh, you are forever in our memory Continue reading

You ain’t gonna know me ‘cos you think you know me – Louis Moholo-Moholo

13 April 2017 — Youtube

I can’t get enough of this music, so here’s a very famous song, dedicated to former Blue Notes  trumpeter, Mongezi Feza and written in his memory. From the album Spirits Rejoice! 1978 (Ogun).

Louis Moholo – drums
Harry Miller – bass
Johnny Dyani – bass
Nick Evans – trombone
Radu Malfatti – trombone
Evan Parker – tenor sax
Keith Tippet – piano
Kenny Wheeler – trumpet

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An Interview with Louis Moholo-Moholo

13 April 2017 — Cafe Oto

My friend, the fabulous, and apparently immortal Bra Louis Moholo-Moholo is performing at Cafe Oto tomorrow, Friday 14 April. It’s been nine months since he was here, so all you London bods who are into SA music should try and make it. He will be joined by longtime music partners The Four Blokes (now upgraded to The Five Blokes), Jason Yarde and Shabaka Hutchings (saxophones), John Edwards (bass), and Alexander Hawkins (piano) and of course, Bra Louis on drums.

Here’s an interview with Bra Louis recorded, recorded I think, sometime ago. Enjoy Continue reading

Video: Rebels of the 9th Art A documentary film by Nicoletta Fagiolo

30 October 2016 — Youtube

Rebels of the 9th Art A documentary film by Nicoletta Fagiolo, 2009, 24images.

A rising generation of African editorial cartoonists is addressing corruption, violence and the difficulties of daily life What are their styles? Who are their heroes? What is the “African angle” they portray? How do they see the west? What censorship issues do they face? Why are cartoonists in Africa assaulted, jailed, sacked, banned and even assassinated? And some even forced to flee into exile?

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Video: The Giant Is Falling Official Trailer 2016

10 October 2016 — Youtube

The Giant is Falling takes us through the big political events of recent years that signify the dying days of the ANC in South Africa. Locating the moment when things fell apart as the Marikana Massacre, the film charts the various ways people have collectively responded to the ANC’s failure to deliver on its promises. From the end of the ANC’s special relationship with the trade unions, to the #FeesMustFall student movement, to the more recent crushing electoral losses at the polls for the party of liberation, the film picks at the festering sore of inequality that is making the current status quo untenable.

#TheGiantIsFalling

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The U.S.’ South Africa Policy at the Time of Mandela’s Arrest By Lauren Harper

13 December 2013 — Unredacted

Screen shot 2013-12-13 at 11.20.31 AMNelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison by a South African court on June 12, 1964, after being found guilty of sabotage and conspiracy to violently overthrow the apartheid government. While Mandela’s imprisonment was criticized in the U.S. and abroad, at the time of his arrest, U.S. policy towards South Africa was more concerned with preserving access to South Africa’s natural resources than directly confronting apartheid. The five documents included in today’s posting, all part of the Digital National Security Archive’s South Africa collection, provide a glimpse of the U.S. walking a tightrope between strategic concerns and human rights issues at the time of Mandela’s arrest, and contextualize the outpouring of response to Mandela’s recent passing.

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The U.S.’ South Africa Policy at the Time of Mandela’s Arrest By Lauren Harper

13 December 2013 — Unredacted

Screen shot 2013-12-13 at 11.20.31 AMNelson Mandela was sentenced to life in prison by a South African court on June 12, 1964, after being found guilty of sabotage and conspiracy to violently overthrow the apartheid government. While Mandela’s imprisonment was criticized in the U.S. and abroad, at the time of his arrest, U.S. policy towards South Africa was more concerned with preserving access to South Africa’s natural resources than directly confronting apartheid. The five documents included in today’s posting, all part of the Digital National Security Archive’s South Africa collection, provide a glimpse of the U.S. walking a tightrope between strategic concerns and human rights issues at the time of Mandela’s arrest, and contextualize the outpouring of response to Mandela’s recent passing.

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FOIA Sourcing: Cuban Intervention in Angola By Lauren Harper

2 November 2013 — Unredacted

Lobito Lighthouse 1995. Photo from Wikimedia Commons.

In November 1975 while Angola was battling for independence and internal and external forces were competing for primacy, Cuban forces militarily intervened in support of the leftist MPLA movement and against US-supported movements.“By the end of 1975 the Cuban military in Angola numbered more than 25,000 troops. Following the retreat of Zaire and South Africa, Cuban forces remained in Angola to support the MPLA government against UNITA in the continuing Angolan Civil War.” Continue reading

G4S guard bludgeoned woman to death By Clare Sambrook

30 October 2013 — Our Kingdom

A murder conviction raises fresh doubts about a government outsourcer’s competence and integrity.

Last November a 42 year-old pharmaceutical worker from Thailand took part in a conference about HIV treatment at Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium. Her name was Khanokporn Satjawat. A G4S guard checked Satjawat’s ID. He didn’t like her manner. Later he followed her into the toilets and bludgeoned her to death with a fire extinguisher.

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Obama in South Africa: Washington tells Pretoria how to ‘play the game’ in Africa By Patrick Bond

1 July, 2013 – Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal

US President Barack Barack Obama’s weekend trip to South Africa may have the desired effect of slowing the geopolitical realignment of Pretoria to the Brazil-India-Russia-China-South Africa (BRICS) axis. That shift to BRICS has not, however, meant deviation from the hosts’ political philosophy, best understood as “talk left, walk right” since it mixes anti-imperialist rhetoric with pro-corporate policies. Continue reading

Obama in South Africa: Washington tells Pretoria how to ‘play the game’ in Africa By Patrick Bond

1 July, 2013 – Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal

US President Barack Barack Obama’s weekend trip to South Africa may have the desired effect of slowing the geopolitical realignment of Pretoria to the Brazil-India-Russia-China-South Africa (BRICS) axis. That shift to BRICS has not, however, meant deviation from the hosts’ political philosophy, best understood as “talk left, walk right” since it mixes anti-imperialist rhetoric with pro-corporate policies. Continue reading