"What are democracies meant to do? And how does one know when one is a democratic state?" These incisive questions and more by leading political scientist, Steven Friedman, underlie this robust enquiry into what democracy means for South Africa post 1994.

Democracy and its prospects are often viewed through a lens which reflects the dominant Western understanding. New democracies are compared to idealised notions of the way in which the system is said to operate in the global North. The democracies of Western Europe and North America are understood to be the finished product and all others are assessed by how far they have progressed towards approximating this model. The goal of new democracies, like South Africa and other developing nation-states, is thus to become like the global North.

Power in Action persuasively argues against this stereotype. Friedman asserts that democracies can only work when every adult has an equal say in the public decisions that affect them. From this point of view, democracies are not finished products and some nations in the global South may be more democratic than their Northern counterparts. Democracy is achieved not by adopting idealised models derived from other societies – rather, it is the product of collective action by citizens who claim the right to be heard not only through public protest action, but also through the conscious exercise of influence on public and private power holders.

Viewing democracy in this way challenges us to develop a deeper understanding of democracy’s challenges and in so doing to ensure that more citizens can claim a say over more decisions in society.

After 25 years, Madam & Eve is still going strong and are back with more hilarious cartoons looking back at another year of the crazy rollercoaster that is COVID-restricted daily life and mixed with politics in South Africa.

Madam & Eve cartoons appear regularly in the Mail & Guardian, The Star, The Saturday Star, Herald, Mercury, Witness, Daily Dispatch, Cape Times, Pretoria News, Diamond Fields Advertiser, Die Volksblad, EC Today, Kokstad Advertiser and The Namibian.

Madam & Eve is South Africa’s best reminder that we need to laugh at ourselves as a society. The perfect gift for anyone wanting to understand South African politics.

After 25 years Madam & Eve is still going strong. The duo is back with more hilarious cartoons reflecting on another year of the crazy rollercoaster that is daily life and politics in South Africa.

Scholars agree that a direct correlation can be made between poor governance and the emergence of extremist movements. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres puts it: ‘I am convinced that the creation of open, equitable, inclusive and pluralist societies, based on the full respect of human rights and with economic opportunities for all, represents the most tangible and meaningful alternative to violent extremism.’ This book challenges both the efficacy and wisdom of purely militarised responses to extremist movements typified by the Global War on Terror, as well as the cursory replication of international counter-terrorism frameworks promulgated by the United Nations and European Union in Africa.

Emphasis is given to the importance of understanding local history, culture and regional geopolitics, among a variety of context-specific factors to truly understand and thereby effectively address the emergence and spread of extremisms in Africa. As such, it draws on contributions from a range of thematic and regional experts, including security-sector specialists, conflict analysts, journalists, international relations and governance specialists, political scientists, social anthropologists, psychologists and theologians, among others. A diverse range of extremist movements on the continent are examined, from radicalised religious groups to race-based organisations.

These case studies provide in-depth insight into answering why and how these movements came to be, while thematic chapters address issues pertinent to addressing them, such as public perceptions of extremism, methods of recruitment and radicalization among marginalised communities, supporting survivors of extremism and former combatants, strategic approaches to counter-terrorism and the role of governance, among others.

This is an introductory anthology and the first of its kind on this topic to be authored and published in the African continent.

This year we are in for a treat: After 25 years, Madam & Eve is still going strong and are back with more hilarious cartoons looking back at another year of the crazy rollercoaster that is daily life and politics in South Africa. Madam & Eve cartoons appear regularly in the Mail & Guardian, The Star, The Saturday Star, Herald, Mercury, Witness, Daily Dispatch, Cape Times, Pretoria News, Diamond Fields Advertiser, Die Volksblad, EC Today, Kokstad Advertiser and The Namibian.

How the three independent asset managers Coronation, Allan Gray and Investec (later Ninety One) , dubbed the CIA, came to dominate and continue to dominate the South African asset management industry, particularly the pension fund market.

There are plenty of colourful big ego personalities such as Hendrik du Toit at Ninety One, Leon Campher at Coronation and the late Allan Gray plus kingmakers reshaping thr industry such as Patrice Motsepe.

Refined and streamlined, Systems Analysis And Design In A Changing World helps students develop the conceptual, technical, and managerial foundations for systems analysis design and implementation as well as project management principles for systems development.

Using case driven techniques, the succinct 14-chapter text focuses on content that is key for success in today's systems analysis and design. The authors use a highly effective presentation to teach both traditional (structured) and object-oriented (OO) approaches to systems analysis and design. The book highlights use cases, use diagrams, and use case descriptions required for a modeling approach, while demonstrating their application to traditional, web development, object-oriented, and service-oriented architecture approaches.

The Seventh Edition's refined sequence of topics makes it easier to read and understand than ever. Regrouped analysis and design chapters provide more flexibility in course organization. Enabling students to apply what they learn as they go, the text's running cases have been completely updated, and now include a stronger focus on connectivity in applications.

The multi-award winning drama returns to BBC One for a tenth season!

It’s 1966, and it’s a testing time for the nuns and midwives. With Trixie’s help, Sister Julienne is determined to steer Nonnatus House out of its financial quandary. Dr Turner deals with an array of difficult cases, including a former soldier involved in nuclear test explosions.

Meanwhile, Sister Monica Joan experiences a crisis of faith, and Sister Frances realises she needs to be a little less spiritual if she’s to really connect with the local women. There are some interesting challenges ahead, as well as great celebrations when England wins the football World Cup.

Also includes the 2020 Christmas Special and Call The Midwife: Special Delivery 10th Anniversary Special.

Inspired by Steven Spielberg’s own childhood, rediscover the magic of movies in The Fabelmans, a coming-of-age story about a young man uncovering a shattering family secret and the power of film and imagination to help us see the truth about ourselves and each other.

With a star-studded cast, The Fabelmans tells a timeless tale of heartbreak, healing, and hope for the dreamer inside all of us.

Hundreds of years in the future, humans have colonized the solar system. The U.N. controls Earth. Mars is an independent military power.

The planets rely on the resources of the Asteroid Belt, where air and water are more precious than gold. For decades, tensions have been rising between these three places.

Earth, Mars and the Belt are now on the brink of war. And all it will take is a single spark.

The Expanse is a sci-fi thriller based on the novel series of the same name by James S. A. Corey, set two hundred years in the future, after mankind has colonised the solar system.

A hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain come together for what starts as the case of a missing young woman and evolves into a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.

The third edition of Database Principles maintains its engaging writing style and brevity; its unique balance between theory and practice; and its wealth of examples throughout the text. It provides a solid and practical foundation for the design, implementation and management of database systems. The new edition has been updated with all the latest developments and technologies and incorporates a generous number of localised and motivating business vignettes that tie the concepts to real-life situations. The coverage of SQL provides numerous examples and simpler explanations that focus on areas most important for a database career. This edition is suitable for a first course in databases at undergraduate level and will also provide essential material for conversion postgraduate courses. Providing comprehensive and practical coverage of core database concepts, it is an ideal text not only for those studying database management systems in the context of computer science, but also those on courses in the areas of information systems and business information technology.

Matilda Wormwood is a little girl with big curiosity, a sharp mind and a vivid imagination — and the worst parents in the world.

On meeting her inspirational teacher, Miss Honey, Matilda is encouraged and begins conjuring her own fantastical tales. Excited to attend Crunchem Hall, Matilda is surprised to find the school is an ominous and oppressive place led by the huge and villainous Miss Trunchbull. As well as kind Miss Honey, the bright lights among the meanness are story-loving librarian, Mrs. Phelps, and Matilda’s newfound school friends.

Matilda the Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage to help others change their stories, and takes charge of her own destiny.

This emotionally-charged, critically acclaimed thriller reunites Stephen Dillane in his award-winning role as Karl Roebuck with Clémence Poésy as Elise Wassermann, in a provocative and thrilling drama.

The Tunnel: Vengeance is set in a post-Brexit Europe where the English and French teams come together once more in an emotionally charged finale.

When a stolen fishing boat is found adrift and on fire in the English channel, Karl and Elise believe the missing cargo consisted of trafficked migrant children. As a disenfranchised and toxic duo enact a terrifying endgame, Elise is shocked to the core by a miscarriage of justice from her past. Together and apart, they are forced to grapple with decisions they have made and must make decisions that cut to the deadly heart of the matter: what is the value of a single life?

After 31 years, Madam & Eve are still going strong and are back with more hilarious cartoons looking back at another year of the crazy rollercoaster that is daily life and politics in South Africa.

Madam & Eve is South Africa’s best reminder that we need to laugh at ourselves as a society.

The perfect gift for anyone wanting to understand South African politics.

The special edition re-release of the biggest movie of all time, featuring 15 extra minutes and an alternative opening, and 2 discs of bonus features.

Jake Sully, a paraplegic war veteran who is selected to participate in the Avatar programme, in which genetically-engineered human beings are sent to explore a small moon called Pandora.

There, the indigenous Navi tribe of three-metre-high, human-like beings have long lived a peaceful existence in harmony with their plant-covered world, despite their fearsome warrior skills. And when Jake meets Navi princess Neytiri, he falls in love with her and becomes integrated into her clan - little knowing that his mission on Pandora has a far more sinister aim than he realised.

Before long, Jake is caught up in an epic battle that could decide the fate of an entire world.

All ten episodes from the second season of the action adventure show starring Hayley Atwell as the Marvel Comics character Peggy Carter.

Following the Second World War, Strategic Scientific Reserve (SSR) agent Peggy moves to Los Angeles intent on stopping new, atomic age threats to humanity.

In this season, Peggy finds links to Isodyne Energy after a powerful new substance is discovered, which, in the wrong hands, could have potentially catastrophic results.

Zibusiso Mkhwanazi’s entrepreneurial journey has taken him from being a digital advertising prodigy to founding South Africa’s largest black-owned advertising agency group. His experiences have led him to believe that anyone has the potential to become a leader.

In this book, Business By Grace – How I Built a World-Changing Advertising Business with R2 000, Zibusiso shares the lessons he’s learned along the way, highlighting that the road to success is never easy. From his early struggles and business breakdowns to his current status as a revered entrepreneur, Zibusiso’s account demonstrates how resilience, tenacity, and his faith have helped him overcome challenges. His story is both inspiring and informative, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.

At its core, the book is a tribute to the South African spirit. It tells the story of a young boy who sold sweets at school and grew up to become one of the country’s most successful business icons.

Business By Grace is a compelling and engaging book, a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their own entrepreneurial path.

This is the true story of the six members of a security team who fought to defend the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, after the attack by Islamic terrorists on September 11, 2012.

(Academy Award nomination for: Best Sound Mixing)

DCI Banks returns for its grittiest season yet with an explosive serial crime story that weaves through three feature length episodes.

To Burn in Every Drop of Blood:
When the victim of a frenzied attack is found in woodland, the team wonder if it’s a random killing or related to the location - a shrine to a local girl who recently committed suicide there. But when Banks uncovers a link to local crime boss Steve Richards, he becomes convinced that this is his chance to finally nail the hitherto untouchable criminal.

A Little Bit of Heart:
What starts out as a missing person case in Leeds’ Chinese community soon escalates into a kidnap and ransom and then finally murder. Banks and his team are plunged into a world of protection gangs and the exploitation of immigrants before the discovery of a dark family secret reveals the true motive behind the crimes.

Undertow:
Banks and his team struggle to put personal feelings aside as they investigate the stabbing of a fellow officer. As they attempt to nail the culprit, Banks’ actions become increasingly reckless, forcing Chief Superintendent Anderson to put him on gardening leave. With Helen made Acting DCI, Banks finds himself operating on the other side of the law, using his years of experience to crack this most harrowing case.

In the wake of Charles Town, the world lives in fear of Captain Flint. But when his campaign of terror crosses over into madness, it falls to John Silver to locate the man within the monster.

Meanwhile, with Eleanor Guthrie gone, Jack Rackham and Captain Charles Vane struggle to secure Nassau for the ages. All will be tested when a new threat arrives.

It knows them. It understands them. And in the blink of an eye, it will turn them against each other.

From master storyteller Stephen King comes a thrilling new novel with intertwining storylines - one about a killer on a diabolical revenge mission, and another about a vigilante targeting a feminist celebrity speaker - featuring the beloved Holly Gibney and a dynamic new cast of characters.

When the Buckeye City Police Department receives a disturbing letter from a person threatening to 'kill thirteen innocents and one guilty' in 'an act of atonement for the needless death of an innocent man', Detective Izzy Jaynes has no idea what to think. Are fourteen citizens about to be slaughtered in an unhinged act of retribution? As the investigation unfolds, Izzy realises that the letter writer is deadly serious, and she turns to her friend Holly Gibney for help.

Meanwhile, controversial and outspoken women's rights activist Kate McKay is embarking on a multi-state lecture tour, drawing packed venues of both fans and detractors. Someone who vehemently opposes Kate's message of female empowerment is targeting her and disrupting her events. At first, no one is hurt, but the stalker is growing bolder, and Holly is hired to be Kate's bodyguard - a challenging task with a headstrong employer and a determined adversary driven by wrath and unhinged righteousness.

Featuring a riveting cast of characters both old and new, including world-famous gospel singer Sista Bessie and an unforgettable villain addicted to murder, these twinned narratives converge in a chilling and spectacular conclusion - a feat of storytelling only Stephen King could pull off.

Thrilling, wildly fun and outrageously engrossing, Never Flinch is one of King's richest and most propulsive novels.

This is not a book about business strategy. Strategy changes like the seasons. This is a book about something much more permanent.

At the very heart of all the success and failure I've been exposed to - both my own entrepreneurial journey and through the thousands of interviews I've conducted on my podcast - are a set of principles that can stand the test of time, apply to any industry, and be used by anyone who is search of building something great or becoming someone great.

These are the fundamental laws that will ensure excellence.

They are rooted in psychology and behavioral science, are based on the wisdom of tens of thousands of people I've surveyed across every continent and age group, and of course, drawn from the conversations I've had on my chart-topping podcast with the world's most successful people.

These laws will work now or in 100 years from now. Are you ready to get started?

Mahershala Ali stars as Wayne Hays, a retired detective who has been tormented for 35 years by a case involving the 1980 disappearance of a 12-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister in the town of West Finger, Arkansas. As the aging Hays, his memory failing, ruminates on details of his investigation with the producer of a truecrime documentary, we learn about the case, and Hays’ past, tracking stories in 1980, when the crime took place, and 1990, when a shocking discovery reignited interest in the case.

Through these flashbacks, we get to know key characters like Roland West (Stephen Dorff), Wayne’s partner at the time of the murder; Amelia Reardon (Carmen Ejogo), a schoolteacher and writer; as well as county officials, FBI agents, family members and suspects.

Each of the eight episodes adds a new piece to the puzzle of what happened on that fateful night in 1980 – and how that one event shaped the lives of so many people for so many years.

Sometimes the hardest journey is the way back home . . .

Wily Odysseus, King of Ithaca, has won Troy for the Greeks – after a decade of brutal, bloody warfare. But now this warrior remembers he is a husband and father – and his gaze turns longingly towards home.

Setting sail with a small fleet, Odysseus dreams of soon lying in the arms of his beloved wife Penelope, and of teaching his son Telemachus the ways of a warrior. However, the gods laugh at the foolish hopes of mortals. And, angered by this upstart, Poseidon – God of the ocean realms – curses our hero to wander the seas for ten long years.

Encountering one-eyed giants, six-headed monsters, terrible storms, titanic whirlpools, hypnotic sirens, seductive witches and jealous goddesses, Odysseus is tempted and tormented beyond any man’s endurance.

Yet he is no mere mortal – and the lure of his wife and son draws him, step by step, stroke by stroke, ever closer to home and his ultimate destiny . . .

A tale of love and longing, return and redemption, home and hope, Stephen Fry’s Odyssey sees the author and national treasure weave the final threads of the fabulous story begun in the worldwide bestseller, Mythos, into an astonishing and mesmerising tapestry for the ages.