Editor's note

Debates about land reform in South Africa have reached fever pitch as the country’s parliament moves to vote on expropriation without compensation. The tone of the debate hasn’t been helped by US President Donald Trump entering the fray with a tweet. In this special newsletter we offer a range of previously published articles exploring the issue. Roger Southall sets out the battle lines of those for and against expropriation. Jannie Rossouw argues that the governing party has mishandled the process. If land expropriation goes ahead, it will require some amendments to the Constitution; Pierre de Vos explains what this will take. And Steven Friedman argues that a change to the country’s Constitution might actually deliver a positive outcome.

Yet another video in which a white South African made racial remarks on social media has gone viral. It has reignited debate about how the country can tackle racism. In a selection of previously published articles, Penelope Andrews, Chantelle Feldhaus and Rene Koran discuss how the jailing of a woman for using racist slurs set a new precedent. Meanwhile Roger Southall ponders how the law can help change racist minds. Melissa Tandiwe Myambo looks at the wider problem of white male privilege in emerging economies and John J. Stremlau examines Trump’s first racist comments about Africa.

Sibonelo Radebe

Business + Economy Editor

Land Expropriation

South Africans differ on land reform. But there needs to be a meeting of minds

Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand

South Africans can't afford to let the land debate be reduced to a shouting match.

ANC expediency is messing up South Africa’s land reform process

Jannie Rossouw, University of the Witwatersrand

South Africa's ruling party, the ANC , is mishandling the process leading towards land expropriation without compensation.

Explainer: what’s involved in changing South Africa’s Constitution

Pierre de Vos, University of Cape Town

South Africa's constitution has been amended 17 times already. But, the procedure for doing so is onerous.

Changes to the Constitution may boost, not weaken, South African property rights

Steven Friedman, University of Johannesburg

Clarifying when and how the South African constitution allows for expropriation of land without compensation will strengthen property rights.

Racism

Jail time for South African woman using racist slur sets new precedent

Penelope Andrews, University of Cape Town; Chantelle Feldhaus, North-West University; René Koraan, North-West University

Past cases indicate that verbal crimen injuria is not that serious. But a landmark sentence in South Africa has changed that.

How the law can help change racist minds in South Africa

Roger Southall, University of the Witwatersrand

Unexpressed racism may be even more dangerous if it's left lurking below the surface.

White men’s privilege in emerging economies isn’t measured. It should be

Melissa Tandiwe Myambo, University of Johannesburg

Traditional economists cannot quantify or measure the effect of white male privilege in facilitating business dealings or obtaining employment in emerging market economies.

Africa should respond to Trump’s racist rant by taking the moral high ground

John J Stremlau, University of the Witwatersrand

The Trump administration's incompetence makes it difficult for African countries to engage Washington in seeking meaningful explanations, much less substantive negotiations.