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South Africa sees record murder rate, with 38% surge since 2010

Fused / September 22, 2022

The latest crime report by Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) reveals that crime is an “existential” threat to South Africa, as shown by the rise in murder, extortion, and kidnapping.

Organised crime is driving up murder and kidnapping rates in South Africa – Business Tech 

According to the GI-TOC report, the murder rate has increased by 38% since 2010, the number of kidnappings has quadrupled, and infrastructure crime such as the theft of copper-power lines has an annual effect of R187 billion ($10.6 billion). 

Murder, Kidnapping Pose ‘Existential’ Threat to South Africa – Bloomberg

Antony Sguazzin says that the history of apartheid in South Africa is to blame for the rise in crime in “formerly non-White regions ignored by the state.” During former President Jacob Zuma’s nine-year administration, governmental institutions became weaker, which worsens the problem. It is alleged that R500 billion was stolen under Zuma’s government which could have been used to build disadvantaged communities. 

South Africa’s organised crime climbs to Italy’s levels, racing past Mexico, Somalia and Libya – Daily Maverick 

Ferial Haffajee argues that the report is a call to action. If South Africa’s future is not to become more unstable, there is an immediate need for a more planned approach against organised crime. Policymakers from a range of sectors must quickly grasp the reality of organised crime as a danger and respond accordingly. 

If left unchecked, organised crime and its accompanying illegal marketplaces would continue to do severe damage.

Image credit: Pixabay

Heritage Day: A call for inclusion and diversity amongst all South Africans

Fused / September 21, 2022

On September 24, Heritage Day, we honour and celebrate the cultural riches of our country.

Celebrating a distorted notion of unity in diversity during South Africa’s heritage month – Mail & Guardian (for subscribers) 

Mpumelelo Ncube writes about the cultural celebration of Heritage Day for the Mail & Guardian. However, Ncube believes the country is celebrating our diversity through its origins and cultures, but we are being detached from it. The price for this celebration is that we are losing what has made us a multi-cultural and diverse nation.

Heritage month: Diverse people can be united – The Citizen 

Lunga Simelane argues that the South African society is diverse in terms of languages, cultures, religions, tribes, politics, and nations, among others. However, in order to achieve unity, we require clarity of thought and extensive tolerance for one another’s differences. These are the prerequisites for achieving unity in diversity.

Heritage day: A reminder of the communal promise to work towards an equality for all country – Mail & Guardian (for subscribers) 

On Heritage Day and beyond, South Africans should try to deal with the complexity of our transformation journey. This will help us keep our community promises to create a society where everyone has dignity, freedom, justice, and equality. This should be the “heritage” we pass onto the future generation. 

Calls for society to use Heritage Month to learn more about their cultures – SABC

Siyambonga Matanzima, king of the Abathembu baseRhode in the Eastern Cape, urges South Africans to utilise Heritage Month to learn more about their customs and traditions. He thinks this will aid the country’s battle against societal ills such as gender-based violence.

Image credit: Flickr 

Hunger in Africa Soars by Almost a Third in Two Years, IMF Says

Fused / September 15, 2022

Monique Vanek

(Bloomberg) – One in eight people in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to suffer from high malnutrition this year, an increase of almost a third since 2020 because of soaring food prices and depressed incomes, according to the International Monetary Fund.

The IMF estimates that at least 123 million people — 12% of the region’s population — will be unable to meet their minimum food consumption needs, 28 million more than just two years ago.
Severe drought across several countries has been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted exports of foodstuffs such as wheat and pushed up prices. Meanwhile, severe climate incidents, which destroy crops and disrupt food transport, are disproportionately common in sub-Saharan Africa. The economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic is another factor.

These events are compounding mounting pressures from rapid population growth and a lack of resilience to climate change that have already contributed to food insecurity rising faster than in the rest of the world,” the IMF said in a report published Thursday.
Chad and Senegal have been severely affected by torrential rains and floods, while East Africa is in the grip of its worst drought in at least four decades. This significantly increases food insecurity as agricultural productivity is in some cases already less than half the global average, the IMF said, citing studies.

In Ethiopia, Malawi, Mali, Niger and Tanzania, each drought or flood raises food insecurity by five to 20 percentage points, according to the report.

To help mitigate the building humanitarian crisis, the IMF proposes sub-Saharan African nations offer greater social assistance to the hungry. Targeted and far-reaching cash transfers are more effective than agricultural subsidies and help people buy food and rebuild after weather shocks, the lender said.
The IMF is also looking to expand its own role, proposing to increase access to emergency financing to low-income countries that are most vulnerable to changes in the cost of food.

Nations should invest more in infrastructure such as solar power that facilitates irrigation, water access and temperature control for food storage, the group said.

Digitalization is also crucial, as it enables farmers to access early warning systems, mobile banking and technology platforms to purchase fertilizers, seeds, or sell produce, helping to connect small producers to large vendors.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Image credit: Pixabay

Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ trailer gets mixed reviews

Fused / September 13, 2022

Once again, Disney has made quite a splash with a first look at American singer, Halle Bailey’s live action “The Little Mermaid,” which earned over 104 million global views. The almost-two-minute clip takes viewers on a journey through the ocean before showing the shimmering underwater life of Ariel, brought to life by Halle, who teases her version of the iconic “Little Mermaid” song “Part of Your World.”

As expected, social media users, particularly tweeps, had a lot to say about Halle sneak peek as the new Ariel, according to Pirates and Princesses. While some were happy for the singer, others dubbed her a misfit for the character – citing her race not being that of the original Ariel.

But as adults went on and on, on social media, feeding into the controversy, Buzzfeed News reports that little children all over the world had some of the most heartwarming reactions to the new Ariel.

READ MORE:

Black children reacting to Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid trailer shows why representation matters – Metro

Disney releases the first looks at ‘Disenchanted’ and a live-action ‘Little Mermaid’ – NPR

The Little Mermaid Star Reflects On Racist Backlash To Ariel Casting – Screen Rant

Kids See Themselves Represented in the New Little Mermaid Trailer – iHeartRadio

Image Credit: Twitter 

Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ trailer gets mixed reviews

Fused / September 13, 2022

Once again, Disney has made quite a splash with a first look at American singer, Halle Bailey’s live action “The Little Mermaid,” which earned over 104 million global views. The almost-two-minute clip takes viewers on a journey through the ocean before showing the shimmering underwater life of Ariel, brought to life by Halle, who teases her version of the iconic “Little Mermaid” song “Part of Your World.”

As expected, social media users, particularly tweeps, had a lot to say about Halle sneak peek as the new Ariel, according to Pirates and Princesses. While some were happy for the singer, others dubbed her a misfit for the character – citing her race not being that of the original Ariel.

But as adults went on and on, on social media, feeding into the controversy, Buzzfeed News reports that little children all over the world had some of the most heartwarming reactions to the new Ariel.

READ MORE:

Black children reacting to Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid trailer shows why representation matters – Metro

Disney releases the first looks at ‘Disenchanted’ and a live-action ‘Little Mermaid’ – NPR

The Little Mermaid Star Reflects On Racist Backlash To Ariel Casting – Screen Rant

Kids See Themselves Represented in the New Little Mermaid Trailer – iHeartRadio

Image Credit: Twitter 

Hot topic of the day: “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” condemn racist attacks

Fused / September 8, 2022

The cast of the fantasy Prime video series “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” has faced racial backlash from fans since the show’s debut.

According to Complex, actor Ismael Cruz Córdova said that for the last two years, he has received “pure and brutal hate speech” in his direct messages almost every day.

“This is precisely why I pushed so hard for this position,” he said. “I felt capable of carrying that flame. I made sure my elf was the most Elven and magnificent since I anticipated this would happen.”

According to the Huffington Post, fans of the original film adaptations and novels are mostly to blame for the racist attacks.

“When Black and brown cast members on “Rings of Power” were announced earlier this year, they were met with immediate backlash based on the color of their skin. Claiming that the series is a misrepresentation of author J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, comments have emerged across social media rejecting the show’s diversity.”

“The Rings of Power” cast has since released a statement on Twitter condemning these racist attacks.

Here’s a roundup of interesting opinions, analyses, and editorials:

‘Lord Of The Rings’ Cast Takes Strong Stance Against Racist Backlash – Huffington Post

The Rings of Power is suffering a racist backlash for casting actors of colour – but Tolkien’s work has always attracted white supremacists – The Conversation

‘The Rings of Power’ Cast Condemns Racism Facing Castmates of Color: ‘We Refuse to Ignore It or Tolerate It’ – Variety

‘Rings of Power’ calls out racism against cast members of color – Reuters

Original ‘Lord of the Rings’ Stars and ‘Rings of Power’ Cast Condemn ‘Relentless Racism’ Against New Show’s Actors – Complex

The Rings’ OG Stars Plead For Inclusivity Amid Racist Backlash Against ‘The Rings Of Power’ – Deadline

Image credit: Getty Images

Opinions of the Day: FW de Klerk’s complicated legacy

Fused, Newsroom / November 15, 2021

The death of former state president FW de Klerk last week sparked a mountain of debate from all sides of the political spectrum as commentators try to reconcile De Klerk’s past as the last president to preside over apartheid while simultaneously taking the necessary steps to put the country on a path towards democracy.

De Klerk’s legacy will of course always be marked by his complicity in serving in National Party governments, his conservative political positions, alleged involvement in apartheid death squads and his inability to call apartheid a crime against humanity.

But what of the actions that shaped his term in office like the unbanning of the ANC and other organisations, releasing Nelson Mandela from prison, entering negotiations with the ANC for a new constitution and helping to gear the country towards democracy?

He also apologised for apartheid without qualification in his final address to the nation in a video released posthumously by the FW de Klerk Foundation.

No doubt it would be difficult to condemn the man entirely but the same can be true that he cannot escape warranted criticism for conduct during his lifetime. What is true is that when historians write the final chapter in De Klerk’s legacy they will have to do so with sobriety as context and understanding are vitally important when discussing the role of FW de Klerk in South Africa’s history.

We’ve rounded up some of the best articles written over the last few days about the death of FW de Klerk. Many of them are subscribe to read articles but we would encourage you to do so, they’re well worth the read.

Adriaan Basson | I wish De Klerk apologised earlier, also for his white lies – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Adam Habib | In a single act, FW de Klerk did more for humanity than most people do in a lifetime – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Theuns Eloff | FW de Klerk was not merely the last apartheid president – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Yasmin Sooka | FW de Klerk failed to stand up for S.Africans in pursuit of reconciliation and truth – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Zelda la Grange | FW de Klerk showed me compassion in my moment of need – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Tony Leon | Last apartheid president, but first to read the writing on the wall – News24 (Subscribe to read)

Ralph Mathekga | While the collapse of apartheid was inevitable, De Klerk saw it through – News24 (Subscribe to read)

FW de Klerk: A brief comment – Sunday Times Daily (Register to read)

Makhudu Sefara | FW’s apology is a choreographed insult to our intelligence – Sunday Times Daily (Register to read)

FW de Klerk: the last apartheid president was driven by pragmatism, not idealism – The Conversation

Who could do it today? – Daily Friend

White SA’s finest hour? – The Citizen (Subscribe to read)

De Klerk didn’t embrace democracy. He surrendered to its inevitability – The Citizen (Subscribe to read)

Female MBA Grads Earn $11,000 Less Than Male Peers, Study Finds

Bloomberg, Fused / September 23, 2021

(Bloomberg) – The gender pay gap for MBA graduates starts right out of school and only gets wider from there. 

Female business school graduates make around $11,000 less than men with the same degree, a survey released Thursday of 1,055 alumni from MBA schools from nearly 60 elite programs around the world. A decade out, that gap widens to more than $60,000. 

Women in the U.S. face a stubborn gender pay gap much of which can be attributed to them to working in lower paid industries and jobs. Less than 10% of S&P 500 chief executive officers are women, for example, and they remain underrepresented at a vast majority of business schools in the U.S., which mint some of the country’s highest earners. On average, women hold just 40% of all seats at 84 schools, according to a recent survey. At 27 schools they make up less than one-third of the class.

But even women that seek out high paying industries and jobs face a pay gap, the findings from the Forté Foundation, a non-profit focused on women’s advancement and gender equity in business and business schools, suggest. Forté found post-MBA men, on average, earn $29,700 more than similarly credentialed women. Minority women get even smaller pay checks, taking home, on average, around $52,000 less than men, the data show.

Forté Foundation chief executive Elissa Sangster said the disparities may be due, in part, to men entering MBA programs with more years of experience, on average, setting them up for different career paths and opportunities. But she also attributes some of the gap to the well-documented bias women face once in their jobs.

“I think sometimes women become disenchanted,” she said.

Current female MBA students surveyed by Forté also indicated they had less ambitious career aspirations. Men are nearly three times more likely to want a CEO job, for example.

“There’s plenty that women can continue to do to be more aggressive or ambitious about their career path,” Sangster said. “But I think that companies have to make sure that there is fertile ground for these women to move through into these leadership positions.”

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