Narrative Strategist & Editorial Consultant | Shaping dialogue on democracy, development & global affairs | Moderator & IR Lecturer | Ex-BBC & Al Jazeera.
Washington, DC
Joined March 2010
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Congratulations to South African jurist and human rights chief, Judge Navi Pillay. She has won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work! Last year I spoke to her about her committee's report on Israel's human rights violations in Gaza. She faced a backlash but stood her ground. Listen here on @dailymaverick
youtu.be/bcn0tfmgJC0?is=TN-Y…
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
Serbia's student movement ousts longtime leader in parliament poll news24.com/world/serbias-stu… via @news24
Who knew? Serbian students have just given the disaffected around the world a lesson in persistence and organisation. It takes time and hard work not just flashy protests.
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
We do not need the HALAL certification as 90% citizens of this country:
SABS is South Africa’s national standards body. It sets secular technical standards (SANS) for product quality, safety and hygiene, including food. The SABS mark confirms compliance with those rules.
Halaal is a separate voluntary religious certification by private bodies like SANHA or MJC. It checks Islamic dietary rules (no pork, specific slaughter, no contamination) for Muslim consumers or exports.
They are unrelated. Food safety and cleanliness in SA are governed by SABS standards plus laws from Health and Agriculture departments, not religious marks.
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
Lula won because the people of Brazil ORGANISED.
They did not just canvas.
They ORGANISED.
Social movements in Brazil organise against the right every day, not just during elections.
It’s easy to turn our people to vote if they are ORGANISED and participate in politics daily.
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
Add the students in Serbia, and its a rare good dsy for democracy, or is it the turning of the tide.
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
📢 Lula's reaction to this historic victory. 🇧🇷
Now the Brazilian people, with the support of progressives globally, will need to defend it, in the face of likely resistance by the US and the far right.
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
How did Lula come from behind to crush Bolsonaro?
In short, turnout.
Bolsonaro's vote share barely moved. Lula banked millions of votes from those who didn't vote in 1st round and won eliminated candidates' votes.
A remarkable mobilisation. 2nd round turnout usually below 1st.
Oh my word..I cannot believe it. I am not sure I am being coherent but I think the feminist axiom applies here? "The persona is political." We see, we feel, we experience, and we use that to shape our political world view and aspirations? Viva Lula! Viva! Not a perfect presidency and tenure for sure but compared to what was on the table, what nearly happened? Viva Lula!
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
SA'n🇿🇦 black women excellence...❤️
But we told, there aren't any.
#SouthAfrica ❤️🇿🇦
In between work, there was time for laughter with Team SA at the IMF Annual Meetings. These women do the important heavy lifting - thematic preparation, strategic and logistical support to ensure that South Africa's presence at IMF/World Bank global convenings is meaningful. There is only ONE young woman in the pics 😃😀 - Nwabisa Nzama - she's an economist at SA Reserve Bank International Department, Linda Motsumi is Senior Advisor to the Executive Director (IMF) and Vuyelwa Vumendlini is the Alternate Executive Director (IMF). Vuyelwa, Linda and I live in Washington but re busy goed! There's no time to play.
On a serious note, South Africa played a critical role, as usual at this year's Annual Meetings. Amongst other activities SA assumed the African Caucus Chairship, participated in the Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, shared ideas on the Pan-African bond market initiatives, met investors across multiple sectors, including infrastructure financing. It was a good and productive week.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
With great joy, I congratulate my dear brother President Lula @LulaOficial on his historic fourth presidential election victory and the renewed trust of the Brazilian people.
We share a simple but profound conviction. Politics must improve people’s lives, uphold their dignity and bring hope to those too often left behind. That commitment to social justice remains at the heart of our work.
I look forward to strengthening the friendship between Barbados and Brazil as we continue building a fairer, more inclusive and peaceful world.
May God continue to guide and strengthen you, dear brother. There is much work ahead, and much good still to be done!
You are a writer. You know how it goes. Heightened emotions mean words just flow. I've written and submitted. In one hour. I'll go sleep now. Tjo, so many emotions.
Wow that must have been a moment!
😢 😭 😢 😭 😢 😭 😢 😭 😢 ❤️ 💙 💜 💖 💗. Let me write. I am shaking. Joy, relief, tjo!
Asidlali la
nytimes.com/live/2026/10/25/…
Please someone tell me this is not a joke.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came from behind to win Brazil’s runoff election, halting a right-wing wave sweeping Latin America and defying predictions that the 80-year-old political veteran had finally reached the end of his extraordinary career. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Redi Tlhabi retweeted
This is today's American leader 🤣🤣🤣
After listening to former President Barack Obama last night, we are then subjected to this drivel today. America has truly gone down the tubes and into the sewer.
Is this really the leader of the once great America? 🤣🤣🤣
Talking about Nicki Minaj's backside at a rally, at a time when his senseless war in Iran has sent oil prices soaring and fuelled inflation across the world 🤣🤣🤣
