The article delves into the daily struggles of unemployed men on Nelson Mandela Drive in Mahikeng, South Africa. It highlights the personal stories of individuals like Lawrence Poenyane, Lebogang Sibeko, Jabu Komokasi, and Orabile Tsietso, who face long waits for odd jobs amidst a backdrop of systemic unemployment and socioeconomic challenges. The narrative underscores the failure of local and state governments to address the unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth, and the anxiety surrounding potential job losses from major employers like Country Bird Holdings. The piece paints a grim picture of the reality faced by these men, emphasizing the broader issue of inequality and the lack of effective governmental intervention.

Mo’Molemi, a motswako rapper, uses his music to address the precarious position of young black people in democratic South Africa. His work critiques social and political issues, diverging from the optimism of his peers. His debut album, Amantsi, and subsequent works like Blue Collar and 10111, highlight his anti-capitalist and pro-working class views. Despite his controversial admiration for Robert Mugabe, Mo’Molemi has garnered a cult following for his radical approach. His music reflects the struggles of post-apartheid South Africa and critiques the failures of the ANC, while also mourning the lost dreams of Bophuthatswana.

Motswako, a hip-hop subgenre born from the cultural hunger of Mahikeng's youth, emerged as a significant cultural movement in South Africa. Key albums like Morafe's 'The Anticipation' and Tuks Senganga's 'Mafoko A Me' defined the genre, while artists like Jabba (Hip Hop Pantsula) expanded its reach internationally. Despite its decline in unity and influence, motswako's legacy endures through artists like Cassper Nyovest. The genre's producers and DJs, such as Thaso and DJ Lemonka, played crucial roles in its development. However, Mahikeng remains largely unchanged, reflecting the broader challenges faced by the community.

Gopolang Botlhokwane reflects on the intersection of hip hop and politics in South Africa, highlighting the decline of socio-political commentary in mainstream South African hip hop. The article discusses the career of Jackie Selebi, a former police commissioner whose tenure was marred by corruption, and how his story was captured in the music of the time. Botlhokwane critiques the current generation of South African rappers for their apolitical stance, particularly during significant movements such as Fees Must Fall and land expropriation debates. The author notes a few exceptions, such as Kwesta, Reason, and Cassper Nyovest, who have recently produced work with political undertones. The piece also touches on the historical context of political hip hop in South Africa and the impact of media platforms on the genre. The article concludes by questioning whether the recent trend of socially conscious music is genuine or a mere exploitation of popular sentiment.

Gopolang Botlhokwane discusses the impact of the 2007 broadcasting rights deal between the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Pay TV giant SuperSport, owned by Multichoice. The deal, worth R1.5 billion, granted SuperSport exclusive rights to PSL matches and led to a significant shift in how South Africans access their favorite soccer games. Previously, content was available on public broadcasting platforms, but the deal shifted this content to Pay TV, which was considered a luxury at the time. Multichoice capitalized on this by revamping its DSTV service and expanding its reach across Africa. The author argues that the popularity of Pay TV in South Africa is less about modernity and more about the monopolization of soccer broadcasting, which has forced fans to pay for content that was once free, thus exploiting the culture of soccer appreciation for profit.

Residents of Mafikeng, South Africa, expressed mixed feelings about the efficacy of voting as they registered for the upcoming local elections. Many, especially the youth, are disillusioned, citing persistent issues such as unemployment, poor infrastructure, and unresponsive councillors. Despite the skepticism, some still hold onto hope that voting can bring change, honoring the legacy of those who fought for this democratic right. Concerns were raised about the lack of facilities, access for people with disabilities, and the need for media to highlight these issues more effectively. The sentiment across the interviews is a desire for tangible improvements in their community, with some questioning the commitment of elected officials to address the residents' needs.

The article reports on the plight of workers at North-West University (NWU) amidst ongoing student protests. Workers, including gardeners and security guards, have expressed their grievances regarding poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of benefits. Despite their support for the student protests, which aim to address these issues, the workers remain pessimistic about any significant change. The university's management has been criticized for ignoring the workers' complaints, directing them to their respective contractors instead. The workers' stories highlight the struggles they face daily, such as unsafe travel conditions and financial insecurity. The article includes statements from workers employed by Servest Cleaning and Hlanganani, a security company contracted by the university.

The article discusses the impact of social media's call-out culture, highlighting the case where Toni Morrison faced backlash for comparing Ta-Nehisi Coates to James Baldwin. It delves into the success of Coates's book 'Between the World and Me' and its significance in the context of America's racial history and the Obama presidency. The piece examines Coates's essays on race, including critiques of white America and Obama's approach to racial issues, as well as the concept of reparations for slavery. It also addresses the controversy surrounding Coates's work and the importance of engaging with it despite differing political views. The article suggests that Coates's voice is necessary in contemporary discussions on race and that his book 'We Were Eight Years in Power' serves as a crucial reminder of the issues faced during Obama's tenure as president.

The article examines Ta-Nehisi Coates's reflections on Barack Obama's presidency through his book 'We Were Eight Years in Power.' It discusses the impact of Obama's tenure, Coates's critique of America's racial issues, and the controversies surrounding Coates's work. The text highlights Coates's significant essays, including 'Fear of a Black President' and 'The Case for Reparations,' and his views on Donald Trump's rise to power. The article underscores Coates's importance as a public intellectual and the relevance of his work in contemporary discussions on race and politics.

On Wednesday evening, protests at the North West University Mafikeng campus escalated into violence, resulting in several buildings being set on fire. The protests were initially sparked by the inauguration of an interim Student Representative Council (SRC), which students claim was undemocratically imposed by the university management. The situation worsened when private security responded to the students' peaceful protests with rubber bullets and tear gas. The conflict led to the destruction of property, including an exhibition car, a computer lab, the administration building, and a motorcycle owned by the residence manager. There are unverified reports of a student being killed, but this has not been confirmed by the police. The university spokesperson denied the use of live ammunition on protesters.