South Africa Topics

Democracy Now! stories, posts and pages that relate to South Africa

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  • Father_michael_lapsley

    Apartheid Regime Bomb Victim Father Michael Lapsley on Using Forgiveness to Heal From Tragedy

    Father Michael Lapsley is a former South African anti-apartheid activist who has turned his personal tragedy into a clarion call for peace and forgiveness. In 1990, three months after the release of Nelson Mandela, the ruling de Klerk government sent Father Lapsley a parcel containing two religious magazines. Inside one of them was a highly sophisticated bomb. When Lapsley opened the magazine, the explosion blew off both of his hands, destroyed...
    Apr 22, 2013 | Story
  • Roadmap_2

    As the ANC Votes to Support BDS, a New Film Compares Life in Palestine to Apartheid South Africa

    As the African National Congress voted Thursday to support the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel known as BDS, declaring it was "unapologetic in its view that the Palestinians are the victims and the oppressed in the conflict with Israel," we look at a new film that examines the apartheid analogy commonly used to describe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "Roadmap to Apartheid" is narrated...
    Dec 21, 2012 | Story
  • Lonmin_massacre-south_africa

    Massacre in South Africa: Police Defend Killing of 34 Striking Workers at Platinum Mine

    South African police shot dead 34 striking workers at platinum mine last week, setting off a wave of protests. In what has been described as "South Africa’s first post-apartheid massacre," the miners were killed after demanding more pay and walking off the job at the Marikana mine, the world’s third largest producer of platinum. South Africa’s national police chief Riah Phiyega is drawing public outrage for defending...
    Aug 21, 2012 | Story

  • "Climate Apartheid." By Amy Goodman

    The U.N.‘s 17th “Conference of Parties,” or COP 17, negotiations were extended, virtually nonstop, through Sunday, in hopes of avoiding complete failure. But despite optimistic pronouncements to the contrary, many believe the Kyoto Protocol died in Durban.
    Dec 14, 2011 | Columns & Articles
  • Durban_climate_change_cop17

    Climate Activists: Durban Deal is "Very Weak" Agreement, Lacks "Ambition, Equity, Justice"

    The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa, has ended with an agreement to start negotiations for a new legally binding climate treaty to be decided by 2015 — and to come into force by 2020. Negotiators also agreed to a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol and the initial design of a Green Climate Fund. Many environmental groups say the agreement does not do enough to deal with the climate crisis. "It...
    Dec 12, 2011 | Story
  • Kumi_naidoo_cop17_protest

    "Don't Kill Africa": Climate Activists Occupy Durban Talks Demanding Binding Emissions Cuts

    During the final official day of the United Nations climate change talks in Durban on Friday, more than 150 activists "occupied" the conference as they marched through the halls calling for a fair, legally binding agreement before being told to leave by U.N. security. Protesters were careful not to disrupt the actual negotiations and said a delay in action on climate change could cause large swaths of Africa to be uninhabitable. "Unlike...
    Dec 12, 2011 | Story
  • Chayes

    Amy Goodman on MSNBC's "Up with Chris Hayes" from Durban

    Watch Amy Goodman’s appearance on MSNBC’s "Up with Chris Hayes" on Sat. Dec 3rd, 2011, live from Durban, South Africa, site of the UN’s climate change conference.

    Click here to watch the full interview

    Dec 04, 2011 | D.N. in the News
  • Kasrils_button

    As Nelson Mandela Turns 93, a Discussion with Anti-Apartheid Freedom Fighter Ronnie Kasrils

    As South Africa celebrates the 93rd birthday of anti-apartheid leader and former South African president, Nelson Mandela, we speak to one of Mandela’s allies, Ronnie Kasrils, who was on the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress for 20 years. Kasrils also served as minister for intelligence services in post-apartheid South Africa from 2004 to 2008. He has just published a new book, “The Unlikely Secret Agent,” about...
    Jul 18, 2011 | Story
  • Artistedereturnsbutton

    Former President Aristide on His Party’s Exclusion from Haiti’s Election: “Exclusion is the Problem, Inclusion is the Solution”

    In this broadcast exclusive, Democracy Now! follows former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide flight’s out from South Africa and his historic return to Haiti after seven years of exile. Aristide returned two days before a delayed presidential runoff election was held on Sunday between pop star Michel Martelly and former First Lady Mirlande Manigat. Special thanks to Hany Massoud, Sharif Abdel Kouddous, Nicole Salazar, K.K. Kean and Kim Ives. [includes...
    Mar 21, 2011 | Story
  • Aristedeplanebutton

    Democracy Now! Exclusive Interview with Jean-Bertrand Aristide: If Haiti’s Military is Restored, “We are Headed Back to Misery”

    Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his family were flown on Friday by the South African government back to their home in Haiti after seven years in exile. Just before their journey, President Obama called South African President Jacob Zuma to try to prevent the trip. But the South African government said it would not bow to pressure, so the Aristides boarded the flight in Johannesburg on Thursday night. Democracy Now!’s...
    Mar 21, 2011 | Story