Editor's note

Class action was incorporated into South Africa’s post-apartheid Constitution 22 years ago. Yet it remains relatively untested territory. In one of only two cases in the country, lawyers representing miners afflicted by silicosis - a form of occupational lung disease – recently secured an historic compensation settlement of R5 billion (US$400 million). Penelope Andrews spells out the five factors that make the settlement significant.

Does the truce between Kenya’s two main political protagonists signal a broader reconciliation process in the country? According to David E. Kiwuwa, it’s overly optimistic to expect ethnic politics to dissipate in Kenya in the short and medium term. What the country needs is a much more fundamental shift away from its notoriously tribal politics and political system that’s designed to create winners and losers in a zero sum game.

Thabo Leshilo

Politics + Society Editor

Top stories

Rapprochement between two leaders isn't enough to fix Kenya's deep divisions

David E Kiwuwa, University of Nottingham

Questions are being raised about the Kenyatta and Odinga relationship.

South Africa's historic silicosis class action: why the settlement matters

Penelope Andrews, University of Cape Town

Class action is a newish feature in South Africa. Cases such as the silicosis matter are likely to influence many more.

Science + Technology

Politics + Society

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