We spoke recently to South African-born John Comaroff, the Hugh K. Foster professor of African and African-American studies and of anthropology, and Oppenheimer research fellow in African studies, Harvard University.
Considering South Africa's past, you would think we could fill an entire wing of Pollsmoor with the ghosts of former leaders. But only two ex-presidents (PW Botha and Jacob Zuma) have ever been indicted, and only one has ever spent even a night behind bars.
We need to understand the past before we can understand the present, and predict the future. Understanding history can help one improve their ability to comprehend how changes happened over time and how the future may look like. Interpreting history properly can help one reflect and think through the causes, effects and significance of things…
President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider the weak response of Jan Smuts in the face of the power of the Broederbond – and ensure he does not repeat it.