Race

Skin Deep Politics
The question as to whether a coloured can become leader of South Africa's ruling party and even, more remotely, president of the country.



Africa on Film: Out of Africa
Our film critic, Allison Swank, rewatches the 1985 film. Her verdict: "Out of Africa" is a media nostalgia piece for a time when whites ruled in Africa.

Africa on Film: The “Tarzan” Films
The "Tarzan" films, which dates back to the beginnings of Hollywood, are a perfect visual representation of colonialism in Africa.

Blue Balls
When white South Africans do ordinary things, like travel to a black neighborhood, they're showered with platitudes. This is not reserved for their black country fellows.

Introducing our new series: Africa on Film
Over the next few months, Allison Swank will commence a new weekly series on popular (and not-so-popular) films in the United States 'about' Africa.

African Hospitality
The artist Andrew Putter make use of the past to construct images of how we might live together in the future.

Die Antwoord is Blackface
Die Antwoord is basically blackface. But blackface is also tricky, argues poet and writer Rustum Kozain.

The Poor White Problem
Poor whites don't even make up 5% of the poor. Contrast that to more than 60% of blacks. But that's not a story for foreign media.

Manufacturing controversy
The mass support for Caster Semenya among South Africans is paradoxical: of a country deeply divided, yet at certain moments strangely united around a common cause.