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The former American civil rights activist, Rachel Dolezal, who became notorious after being exposed for “passing” as African American, visited South Africa recently. Londiwe Gamedze explains why Dolezal’s stance is deeply problematic given that for people of colour in both the US and South Africa “passing” was a decision taken in deeply unequal and traumatic conditions.
Less than 100 years ago a 40-hour-work week seemed like a distant dream. Massive worker mobilisation forced laws to be changed. Today, in a time of unemployment, casualisation and inequality, it's time for a new labour struggle, writes Elizaveta Fouksman: shorter work days and a universal basic income. It’s a goal that Karl Marx, who was born on this day in 1818, would no doubt have approved of.
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Civil rights advocate Rachel Dolezal has been accused of falsely claiming she is African-American.
Stephanie Keith/Reuters
Londiwe H Gamedze, University of Cape Town
In the US and South Africa, "passing" as another race has a long and painful history. Controversial American Rachel Dolezal's "passing" to justify her identity makes a mockery of such histories.
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The Haymarket affair saw workers protesting for a 40-hour working week.
Harper's Weekly [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Elizaveta Fouksman, Harvard University
It’s time to update the old agenda of the 19th century: less working time and more money for all, in the form of shorter work days and a universal basic income.
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Education
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Brenda Leibowitz, University of Johannesburg
It takes a combination of formal and informal learning to equip academics to become better teachers. Universities need to encourage both approaches.
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Environment + Energy
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Fred McBagonluri, Ashesi University
Africa's energy potential remains under-exploited, the energy entrepreneur is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the energy sector.
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Politics + Society
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James Hamill, University of Leicester
Today's ANC is in terrible shape – but it wasn't Jacob Zuma who put it on the wrong track.
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From our international editions
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Megan Squire, Elon University
The first line of cyberdefense is having a good password. What does research say about what that actually means?
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Sabith Khan, Georgetown University
Rules imposed after 9/11 and still on the books are getting in the way of delivering aid to conflict zones. In countries like Yemen and Syria, it could mean the difference between life and death.
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