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Mail & Guardian
townshiplatest news & developments
Reclaiming heritage: Koketso Mohlala crafts and walks with her Pedi heritage unapologetically intact, shining
a light on Africa’s pride and beauty through Ditsala Designs. Photos: Supplied

Bold. African. Unapologetic.

Koketso Mohlala challenges Western beauty standards and shines a global spotlight on authentic African craftsmanship

Dr Sipho Sithole

From Umlazi to Washington DC: Dr. Sipho Sithole’s journey of teaching isiZulu abroad

At Howard University, Dr. Sipho Sithole is reshaping global perspectives on Zulu culture — one classroom, conversation, and cultural exchange at a tim

On the right page: Children’s book author and executive director of Nal’ibali, Lorato Trok. Photo: Supplied

Lorato Trok: Writing our languages back into the story

Author speaks of her dedication to keeping indigenous languages alive through children’s books and her hopes for the growth of South African languages

Art of protest: Vaal Generationperformed at Artists Against Corruption’s show. Photo: JS Design

Fighting corruption through the arts

United by poems, plays and passion, artists tackle corruption head-on at a Joburg performance

Take that: Siyabonga Mhlanga and Lehlohonolo Sigaba were the first Africans to be invited to the Le Cinéma, Cent Ans de Jeunesse festival for young filmmakers in Lisbon, Portugal.

‘We killed it with our doccie’

Youngsters’ film about Thokoza gets an enthusiastic reception at a festival in Portugal

Nombulelo Gladys Mbande, 55, who is responsible for the nursery at Sozama Pre-school in KwaNobuhle township, Kariega, plays with children outside the building. The school is located opposite a dumping site where residents throw rubbish, dead-dogs and nappies.

Child deaths reveal neglect of townships

The quality of life of poor South Africans over the past 30 years continues to be ignored

Strapped: As the cost of living rises more low- and middle-income people are shopping locally. Photo: Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images

Corporates move into township economy

Tiger Brands and delivery services such as Uber Eats are targeting this growing market

Culture on the street: The art gallery, 16 on Lerotholi in Langa, was founded by Thulani Fesi, Khanyo Ngcukana Shaun Williams and Mpilo Ngcukana. The gallery  is collaborating with architect, Inam Kula on a collective memory exhibition of the township, which will be showcased later this year at the gallery. Photo: Dillon Marsh

Lest we forget: Remember Langa’s history during the township’s centenary celebrations

The celebrations will focus on the many people who have contributed to the South Africa that we have

The last time the country experienced load-shedding at stage six was at the end of November 2023 (Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Township residents without power for three years

Beleaguered residents of Palm Springs in the Emfuleni local municipality in Gauteng have been living without electricity and with sewage running in the streets

Small businesses are central to South Africa’s economic resilience and recovery and corporates should work with them. Photo: David Harrison/M&G

It’s a Khaltsha thing: Khayelitsha’s growing middle class

In a few years the township will ‘disappear’, and Khayelitsha will become a city, believes one local entrepreneur

DIY style: Fernando Mkhabela uses material he collects from the scrapyard across the road to furnish his shack in Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town. (David Harrison/M&G)

Welcome to Fernando’s swanky shack in Joe Slovo Park

Fernando Mkhabela has transformed the interior of his modest home into a luxury five-star habitat

Phillipi township. Photo: David Harrison/M&G

Nurture the formidable entrepreneurial spirit of SA’s township women

Many don’t have a formal education or business literacy but they support their families and create opportunities for others

Volunteers and local workers take part in the clean up operation at the looted Bara Mall in Soweto, on July 15, 2020. – Many South Africans, taking matters into their own hands in a country where few rely on a chronically failing state, have started to clean up and repair. And the South African presidency even tweeted its thanks to “those who clean up”. (Photo by LUCA SOLA / AFP)

Rebuttal: Township malls should be rebuilt

Tshepo Mokholo’s article on township malls misses some Kasi’s economic and social points

Volunteers and local workers take part in the clean up operation at the looted Bara Mall in Soweto, on July 15, 2020. – Many South Africans, taking matters into their own hands in a country where few rely on a chronically failing state, have started to clean up and repair. And the South African presidency even tweeted its thanks to “those who clean up”. (Photo by LUCA SOLA / AFP)

Township reconstruction: The blueprint for a post-looting economy

Don’t rebuild malls. They draw in a lot of energy and money, but give back little

Prolific: In the early 1970s Gibson Kente’s work became overtly political

Look back to live forward

After being asked to imagine a different ikasi, Lehlohonolo Peega questions our memory

“Drain our dignity”.Masixole Feni’s images of Khayelitsha capture the way people have been able to exist and have meaningful lives under oppressive conditions.

Artists must strive to reimagine ways of portraying and inhabiting ikasi

An overemphasis on ‘escaping’ the township robs us of the nuanced account of its spirit and a chance to create a habitable space in the margins

A new lens: Re-Imagining Sharpeville explores contemporary themes and subjects overshadowed by the historical Sharpeville. (Tsepo Gumbi)

The Portfolio: Tsepo Gumbi

With the Sharpeville massacre in mind, Kwanele Sosibo takes a look at how Tsepo Gumbi’s collection of photographs are a necessary intervention

Siyabulela Siyaka
 (Photo Archive)

Siyabulela Siyaka

Director: Mzansi Restaurant

Virtual bus tour – 2030 (Photo Archive)

Tour 2.0

Trailblazing in the community

‘Aunt Joanne’s Room’ by Andy Mkosi.

The Portfolio: Andy Mkosi

"I love storytelling. For me, the image, signifies that great element in my body of work, human interest."