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Mail & Guardian
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Critical: British author Zadie Smith is guilty of ignorance, cynicism and racism in her essay titled Shibboleth, which appeared in The New Yorker this month, the writer says. Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images
STEVE SALAITA

Author’s views on student activism are sloppy and ignorant

In its apparent nothingness, Zadie Smith’s essay on student activism tells us about how genocide can be rationalised, writes Steve Salaita

  • Steve Salaita
8 min read
An international team of researchers has developed a breakthrough microscopic technique that can detect minute particles of plastic in bottled water that can pass into human blood, cells and the placenta. (Photo by Hendrik Schmidt/picture alliance via Getty Images)
BOTTLED WATER

Bottled water in US found to contain miniscule pieces of plastic

Nanoplastics are the ‘spawn of microplastics that have broken down even further’, researchers said

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
(John McCann/M&G)
APARTHEID

Partners aim to build a new society

Nelson Mandela University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation are collaborating to realise Madiba’s dream of building a new society

  • Professor Sibongile Muthwa
  • Sello Hatang
6 min read
‘A final decision on fee-free education is needed so that universities can decide whether or not their fees will increase in 2018
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

#Fees2017: Open letter to the South African ambassador to the United States

The letter to ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu was written in a bid to apply pressure on the South African government to listen to students.

  • Raeesa Pather
4 min read
The Wolfgat — whose six mostly female staff have no formal training — opened just two years ago in a 130-year-old cottage and cave on the beach at Paternoster. (Image via Facebook)
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Students in New York rise up in solidarity with #FeesMustFall

Students and workers will march to the South African consulate to hand over a letter of demands to the South African ambassador to the US.

  • Raeesa Pather
5 min read
Towards schooling that transforms
BASIC EDUCATION

Towards schooling that transforms

The education we offer many learners is not providing an escape from poverty.

  • Staff Reporter
7 min read
CELLPHONE TECHNOLOGY

Using cellphone technology to fight hunger

SMS technology is now being used by health workers in Africa to monitor nutrition levels in their communities.

  • Staff Reporter
4 min read
CHINA

As quake draws focus, China keeps Tibet under thumb

Last month’s earthquake diverted world attention from China’s troubles in Tibet, but protests and arrests have continued in the region and the leadership has been girding for…

  • John Ruwitch
3 min read
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

151 000 civilians killed since Iraq invasion

An estimated 151 000 Iraqi civilians have been killed in the violence that has engulfed the country from the time of the United States-led invasion until June 2006, according to…

  • Staff Reporter
4 min read
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Tutu urges US to be more open in discussions with Iran

Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said on Monday that the United States government must be more open to discussions with Iran if it wants peace between the nations.…

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read
ALI KHAMENEI

Ahmadinejad spars with academics in NY

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad clashed with an United States university president who called him a ”petty and cruel dictator” at a forum on Monday where Ahmadinejad…

  • Claudia Parsons
4 min read
BAN KIMOON

Ahmadinejad denies rush to war with US

Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said on Sunday there was ”no war in the offing” between his country and the United States. He told the CBS programme 60 Minutes: ”It’s…

  • Staff Reporter
5 min read