A Human, Not a Myth
We should resist constructing self-serving myths about political figures — even someone as heroic as Winnie Mandela.
Articles by: Sean Jacobs
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Sean Jacobs is founder and editor of Africa is a Country; an associate professor of international affairs at The New School; and currently a Ford Foundation #AfricaNoFilter Fellow.
From Zuma to Ramaphosa
Jacob Zuma won't be remembered as a liberation hero, but as a corrupt leader who broke the South African left.
Zuma Is Not the Only Problem
From Donald Trump to Jacob Zuma, we can’t reduce politics to “getting rid of the bad guys” and expect to win.
Patrice Lumumba (1925–1961)
56 years ago today, Congolese prime minister and anticolonial leader Patrice Lumumba was assassinated.
South Africa’s Coming Two-Party System
Recent local elections show the bleak future of South African politics: two centrist parties and no left alternative.
What Muhammad Ali Believed
Muhammad Ali's political life was as frustrating and contradictory as it was principled and selfless.