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The protagonist Mkhondwana, portrayed by Thembekile Komani. Photo: Mzansi Magic
AFRICAN

A love letter to AmaMpondo

Mpondoland brings the rich history, spirituality and resilience of AmaPondo to screen, exploring identity, community and the fight for economic freedom

  • Rolland Simpi Motaung
6 min read
A 19th-century image of an indentured labourer’s dance troupe in Natal. (Image courtesy of Campbell Collections, Killie Campbell Africana Library, UKZN)
1860 1911

‘The Making of Mount Edgecombe’: A view of history from below

Indian indentured labourers’ lives are celebrated in a new book, Sugar Mill Barracks: The Making of Mount Edgecombe

  • Youlendree Appasamy
12 min read
Lifesaver: Gugulethu Sirayi is on a mission to reduce the number of deaths and botched circumcisions that often occur during initiation. (Mujahid Safodien/AFP)
COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION AND

Education can cut initiate deaths

Work by a group of volunteers in the Lusikisiki and Flagstaff area of Pondoland has resulted in no deaths at initiation schools there

  • Siyabonga Ngcangisa
  • Carl Collison
4 min read
Avicii came to define the new age of radio-friendly EDM in 2011 with “Levels
AMADIBA CRISIS COMMITTEE

‘Mining will remove the intestines of our land’

This week the Mail & Guardian is proud to publish a story that is a continuation of a specialised reporting genre, focusing exclusively on the land

  • Lucas Ledwaba
8 min read
Amcu head Joseph Mathunjwa insists his union’s affairs are in order and that the possible deregistration of the union is “politically motivated.” (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)
AMCU

Amcu boss: Tribal warfare a media fantasy

As the shock of the murder of a mineworker hung over Marikana, a sombre crowd of about 2 000 Amcu supporters gathered at Wonderkop stadium.

  • Lucas Ledwaba
4 min read
CUSTOMARY LAW

In Pondoland, confusion will reign till kingdom come

The small kingdom of ­Pondoland is fiercely ­independent and has a history of rebellion, and now, of internal fighting.

  • Sipho Kings
10 min read