South Africa
Field Notes: Practicing Self-Defense Outside an Ultra-Conservative Stronghold
Orania, South Africa: Niklas Kirsten, a former paratrooper in the South African Army, instructs Erik Du Pree on handgun self-defense in the fields outside an ultra-conservative, all-Afrikaner stronghold known as Orania.
Women Are Being Left Out of South Africa's Minimum Wage Increase
While looking to lessen wage disparities, the government has instead enacted legislation that leaves behind a large swath of female workers.
Notes on a New Desert
Cape Town is on track to run out of water, and official city communication has been anything but exemplary—a fact that could doom the ruling political party.
Viewfinder: Mining Widows March to Commemorate Their Deceased Husbands in South Africa
Widows of deceased striking miners who were killed during the Marikana massacre walk from the memorial site during the event's fifth anniversary in Marikana on August 16th, 2017.
Viewfinder: Unrest in South Africa
Residents throw stones during clashes with riot police in Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 8th, 2017, following a demonstration over land grabbing, housing, and unemployment in the area.
South Africa Asks: Would Legalizing Trade in Rhino Horn Save the Species?
As poaching pushes the rhino toward extinction, South Africa considers a radical solution: Legalize the very thing that is killing them. It'd make some people very rich. But would it doom the species?
The Old College Try
Students are pushing their schools to divest from fossil-fuel companies. Administrations are pushing back. History tells us who will win.
So You Want to Talk About Lions...
If #CeciltheLion got you mad about big cat trophies, wait until you hear what they’re doing with the bones.
What's the Legacy of the 2010 World Cup?
A fraction of one percent of FIFA's total profit from the tournament.
Time May Be Running Out for Rhinos as Poaching Persists Worldwide
South Africa debates legalization of the rhino-horn trade to stem smuggling.
Since We Last Spoke: Updates to Previous Pacific Standard Stories
Updates to past Pacific Standard print stories.
The Humanities Professor at Mandela's Right Hand
When Nelson Mandela formed a National Unity government to rule the debut of a post-apartheid South Africa, he demonstrated both his magnanimity and his tactical sense, according to his late friend and chief of staff Jakes Gerwel.
Why Are You So Smart, Stan Greenberg?
Noah Davis talks to the democratic pollster and political strategist about the over-reliance on numbers, understanding new places, and being really intelligent.
A Masterful Look at Anti-Apartheid
South Africa’s painful journey from white minority domination to democracy, and the roles played by the rest of the world, is chronicled in a five-part documentary airing on PBS.
Is Hosting a World Cup Like Sporting a Chanel Bag?
Destitute spots hosting high-profile sporting events can at least burnish their international reputations even if they are hemorrhaging money, right? Well, probably not.