http://www.africafiles.org/ Original Articles on Important Current Themes in Sub-Saharan Africa from AfricaFiles.org en-ca Copyright 2008 AfricaFiles. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:10 EST 20 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18663 Zimbabwe's mining sector has been catastrophically impacted by government failure to develop coherent policy, properly regulate foreign capital and encourage local investors. As this article shows, despite strong global demand for minerals which Zimbabwe has, much of the country's mining production has collapsed. Moreover, despite the government's militant advocacy of indigenous black empowerment, most black mining investment has come from South Africa, not Zimbabwe. Going forward, the author argues that a healthy mining sector beneficial to Zimbabweans at large will require the reconstitution of the State as well as critical learning from regional neighbours on policy engagement from below. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18663 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18515 South Africa's regional re-engagement after 1994 was expected to strengthen political, social and economic solidarity in Southern Africa – as well as in other parts of the continent and the South. What people did not foresee, however, was the degree to which South African capital would surge into neighbouring countries, creating new tensions and prompting "a highly ambiguous set of responses". This article probes the nature and import of these tensions and responses with respect to the operations of South African retail giant Shoprite in Zambia – and, in particular, to Shoprite's presence in the Zambian district of Chipata, where forces of both resistance and partnership are apparent. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18515 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18184 At the heart of this examination of South African investment in Zambia's dairy industry is the question: Is this a clear case of "sub-imperialism" or is it something else? Authors Kenny and Mather show that, while South African companies have emerged as clear industry leaders in the processing and retailing components of the dairy chain in Zambia, the combination of dairy business dynamics and action by local interests has resulted in some "disciplining" and "embedding" of foreign investment ... and some intriguing, unexpected implications for a variety of stakeholders, including local farmers, Zambian companies, foreign companies and, potentially, other sectors of the political economy. Sun, 08 Jun 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=18184 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17873 Direct investment by post-apartheid South Africa in other countries of Africa has so altered the economic landscape it has been likened to a tsunami. From traditional areas of engagement such as mining and mineral processing to newer areas, including banking, insurance, retail, tourism, telecoms and transport, the strength of South African capital is penetrating deeply and broadly—and having a significant impact socially and politically as well. This new series will examine specific examples of South African investment in several countries and shed light on the dynamic between "sub-imperialism" and "local subversion", which Richard Saunders presents in his editorial, and possible future directions. Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17873 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17622 The REFLECT project in Malawi is a good example of a programme that not only teaches literacy but also empowers participants to analyse their social context and address the causes of poverty. In this article, Charlotte Mesikano outlines some of those causes, especially ones perpetuating the impoverishment of women. She also identifies areas in key sectors where improvements must be made, for women and for all of society. Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17622 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17383 The economic ascent of ordinary East African women who have taken advantage of some of the central features of globalisation – including trade liberalisation, new forms of collateral and credit, electronic banking, Internet orders, and efficient transportation and shipping – raises some interesting questions about male dominance in African economies and the freedom afforded some women by an often despised international economic system. Elinami Swai and Maurice Amutabi introduce us to the entrepreneurs known as the "Dubai women" and highlight both the reasons for their extraordinary success and the obstacles they face. Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17383 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17172 Based on her research and personal experience in Zimbabwe, Danai Mupotsa argues that efforts to empower women economically will be unlikely to achieve very much unless people first have a clear understanding of the underlying gender-power discourses in Africa and are committed to guaranteeing the sexual rights of African women. Even with Zimbabwe’s failing economy and high HIV/AIDS rate, the "pre-existing gender discourse of power" with its contradictory positions on "traditional" and "modern" cultural practices must receive attention before the economic empowerment of women can be realised in any substantial way. Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=17172 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16943 Anene Ejikeme, a Nigerian woman who teaches at a university in Texas, volunteered to edit this series on the economic empowerment of women in Africa. Her editorial focuses on the need for African women to be agents of their own empowerment. Too often the idea of tradition has been used by African men and by world organisations to prevent the voices of ordinary women in Africa from being heard. Sun, 13 Jan 2008 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16943 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16426 Zimbabwe and China have relations dating back to the 1970s, when China provided both arms and training to the black liberation struggle. In recent years, through its "Look East" policy, Zimbabwe has greatly strengthened this relationship. While seeking to circumvent international isolation and bolster its failing economy, it has become heavily dependant on China. So will the relationship remain strong? As Obert Matahwa shows, there are signs of strain already. Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16426 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16169 China’s renewed interest in Africa has been demonstrated on such a massive scale that many view it with a mixture of fascination and fear. In this article, Teke Ngomba probes beneath the surface to see whether or not China’s vigorous engagement with the world’s ’most resourced continent’ is economically and socially beneficial, politically benign, environmentally responsible, or, indeed, any better (or worse) than that of the West. Despite China’s undeniably different style, what emerges is a very mixed picture ... with the longer term outcome largely dependent on the quality of African leadership. Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16169