Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Peter Vale

Creator

Peter Vale

Guest Author

Photographer Zanele Muholi’s new book of portraits gives visual voice to the plight of ‘queer’ black women.

Old-world diction, flawed punditry and the fight for Zimbabwe’s future

The single greatest failure of current punditry is the refusal to recognise that context matters.

Spy: Uncovering Craig Williamson by Jonathan Ancer

Apartheid spy Williamson’s dark heart exposed

"Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Ancer’s goal is clear … He wants to expose the man on the cover in all his infamy to set himself free"

There is a dark, manipulative side to publishing.

The pressure to publish is punitive: systems that control publishing choke creativity

Publishing in the academic world is extremely important, but why does it seem to be such a long, winding and twisted process?

Young people don’t always know exactly what they want to study

Say it in plain (African) language

Pam Maseko, a senior lecturer in African language studies at Rhodes, tells Peter Vale about the fight for greater recognition of our languages.

The lesson of 2010 has not been learnt

Our education system is crying out for the resources eThekwini’s 2022 Commonwealth Games will consume.

Centre of excellence: The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study has attracted leading scholars from all over the world.

Build new communities of knowledge

Spaces need scholars to deliberate in community and pursue crossdisciplinary work.

Voting in the KwaMashu area proceeded normally.

A dagger at the heart of varsity study in international relations

Increasingly we live in security states and power lies with those who draw the borders.

The strike

Wanted: Leaders to heal SA

We need young people who are not afraid to stick to their convictions and who will put the people first.

A report has argued for an increase in the minimum time for degree and diploma programmes.

The old Wall fell, but new ones rise up

The fall of the Berlin Wall 25 years ago has not led to the better world many hoped its collapse foretold.

Romantic idealist: Professor Craig Calhoun says that universities should be reinvented

‘Fight back!’ Universities must put teaching at their front and centre

What futures do varsities globally have? Peter Vale interviewed Craig Calhoun, director of the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Nusas, justice and rock ‘n roll

Glenn Moss invites us to think of students as agents who can determine their own political destiny

Market killed the university star

A new book provides a useful critique of the impact the economic-centred society is having on the purpose of higher-education institutions.

Mduduzi Manana.

May I suggest, Deputy Minister

Peter Vale writes an open letter to focus the new incumbent’s priorities and tasks.

A complex life well lived

A complex life well lived

Accomplished philosopher Paul Cilliers still had his best work ahead of him

Academic luggage unpacked

Academic luggage unpacked

From home renovations to book sales: A week in the life of a relocated academic.

Academic luggage

Diary of a migration from tranquil Rhodes to seething Jo’burg, by <b>Peter Vale</b>.

The humanities in all of us

It may be time to reinsert the liberal arts curriculum into undergraduate degrees argue <b>J Edward Chamberlin and Peter Vale</b>.

Quiet please

Quiet please, academics advancing

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study is an enclave for research where scholars can explore ideas, think — and get a good lunch.

Rhodes closure

Rhodes closure

<b>Peter Vale</b> has been associated with Rhodes University for nearly 40 years. He shares the notes from his diary of his last week there.

The human factor

The human factor

Peter Vale tackles Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande about the neglected sector, humanities.