Continued………Residents of one slum near Joburg have been pleading with the authorities to do more amid a surge in rapes and murders - blamed on illegal mining gangs. It’s led to a debate about what the root cause of this violence is: is it pure criminality or the lack of opportunity most face? Let us know your views on the issue in the replies.

RWANDA’S AMAZING COW DUNG ART

The traditional, bright and colourful Rwandan art form of Imigongo is being revived after almost disappearing during the country’s genocide in 1994. Looking at these beautiful works, you’d never guess they’re made from cow dung. But they have a rich, royal history and provide vital income and psychological benefits to locals.

HOW INTL OIL ‘SABOTAGED’ AFRICAN REFINERY

Neo-colonialism, as defined by Kwame Nkrumah, is the practice of using economic, political and cultural tools to control a country without direct military occupation. The effective sabotage in 2024 of Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery is a textbook example of neo-colonialism at play. It demonstrates how multinational corporations and foreign governments work together to maintain a system that benefits the West at Africa’s expense.

When Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, announced his ambitious plan to build a $20-billion refinery in Nigeria, it sent shockwaves through the oil industry. Its goal is nothing short of revolutionary: to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand for refined petroleum products, eliminate the need for imports and even export to other African countries.

Continued….. But such a move was never going to be welcomed by those who benefit from the status quo. One of the most blatant acts of sabotage came from international oil companies, which essentially refused to sell Nigerian crude oil to the Dangote Refinery. Instead, they demanded a $6 premium above the market price, a move designed to make the refinery’s operations financially unviable. Forced to look elsewhere, the Dangote Refinery had to source crude oil from Brazil and the United States at higher costs, further straining its operations, even though the local market desperately needs petroleum products and the country wastes fortunes importing them.

The sabotage of the Dangote Refinery is a stark reminder that the fight for African independence is far from over. While the days of formal colonialism may be behind us, the structures of exploitation remain firmly in place.

Over the years, numerous attempts by African nations to build refining capacity and move up the value chain have been thwarted by the stranglehold of foreign corporations. For example, Angola, Africa’s second-largest oil producer, exports most of its crude oil - while importing over 80% of its refined petroleum products. Efforts to build local refineries have been repeatedly delayed or derailed, often due to pressure from foreign interests.

The situation extends beyond oil. Africa’s vast reserves of minerals, timber, and agricultural products are similarly exported as raw materials, with the value-added processing taking place in Europe, North America, or China. Despite the interference, it’s hoped Dangote’s refinery will - eventually - boost pan-African integration and pave the way for a more self-reliant energy future across the continent.

YOUR MOBILE - PAID FOR IN BLOOD?

Did you know that your Tesla, your iPhone or even your favourite Google product may have all been paid for with the lives of children worked literally to death? It’s a story of exploitation and abuse for profit - taking place right now in the heart of Africa.