Kenya’s highest court finds irregularities in the vote tally from this summer’s election, orders new vote within 60 days.
Russell Pollitt, S.J.
Russell Pollitt, S.J., is America’s Johannesburg correspondent.
A priest from the Region of South Africa, he is currently director of the Jesuit Institute South Africa. He has written for a number of publications including the Southern African Catholic Weekly "The Southern Cross”; The Southern African Quarterly Magazine “Trefoil”; The Southern African Journal “Grace & Truth” and is the religious correspondent for South Africa’s biggest online news site "Daily Maverick." He is the author of Now is the Favourable Time. Daily Reflections for Lent and has made contributions to other books including Why Do You Weep? Finding Consolation and Peace in Times of Grief.
Father Pollitt is frequently asked for commentary on church and aocial issues in South Africa. He has been interviewed on a number of networks including the SABC, eNCA, Talk702, 567 CapeTalk, BBC and the Catholic Station Radio Veritas. Prior to being director of the Jesuit Institute he served as pastor of the downtown Jesuit church in Johannesburg. He serves on the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference Advisory Committee for Social Communications. Time and training permitting he is also a keen runner and has completed a number of marathons and half-marathons.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Racism remains a common scourge in South Africa and the United States
Despite the fall of apartheid in 1994 and the reconciliatory tone set by the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, the demon of racism is very much alive here.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Church opposes new plans to regulate religious practice in South Africa
The director of Freedom of Religion South Africa, Michael Swain, said that government had no business “meddling with religion.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
Anti-apartheid veteran asks: What has become of the African National Congress?
One of the themes that emerged from A.N.C. conference was party renewal. Father Mkhatshwa is skeptical. He says that the A.N.C. is redeemable, but “they need new people to do it.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa’s state of the nation address descended into total chaos
The Economic Freedom Fighters party say it will not respect an “illegitimate president” after Mr. Zuma was found to have violated his office by the country’s highest court in 2016.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
A victory for democracy and Africa in Gambia
After a few tense weeks, a peaceful and bloodless transfer of power has taken place in the West African nation of Gambia.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
South African bishops are working to promote Pope Francis’ ecological concerns
“The Holy Father makes it clear that caring for our common home is a fundamental dimension of Christian spirituality.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
South Africa Bishops Urge Government to Reconsider Withdrawal from International Court
The bishops said they were deeply concerned that a South African withdrawal will “influence and encourage other African countries to leave the court en masse.”
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
In South Africa a Jesuit church will remain a sanctuary, but not a meeting place for ending fees conflict
The vice chancellor had to be escorted out of the church, over the sanctuary and through the back entrance, protected by clergy, peace monitors and organizers of the meeting.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
An interview with the Jesuit priest who was shot by the South African police during student protests
Father Pugin had been shot in the face with a rubber bullet by the South African Police.