To the Point
Zimbabwe and South Africa in Transition
In Zimbabwe today, authorities again banned opposition rallies and detained the leader of the opposition party. With the election just three weeks away, how is unrest in Zimbabwe affecting the region? Meanwhile in South Africa, violence against foreigners is part of a rising crime rate that has made the country the most dangerous place in the world to live, outside of a war zone. Also, a weak job market wobbles an already anemic economy, and the life and times – and death – of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and how they resonate in today's political landscape. Sara Terry guest hosts. A protester carries a portrait of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as thousands of people march to protest the attacks on the immigrant community in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
By Sara Terry • • 1h 0m ListenIn Zimbabwe today, authorities again banned opposition rallies and detained the leader of the opposition party. With the election just three weeks away, how is unrest in Zimbabwe affecting the region? Meanwhile in South Africa, violence against foreigners is part of a rising crime rate that has made the country the most dangerous place in the world to live, outside of a war zone. Is the region becoming unstable? How should the West respond? Also, a weak job market wobbles an already anemic economy, and he galvanized a generation of voters, and was on the verge of winning his party's nomination for president – before he was assassinated after a campaign rally. Forty years on, what is the legacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.? Sara Terry guest hosts.
In this episode
3 storiesWeak Job Market Wobbles Economy
The nation's unemployment rate jumped to 5.5% last month, posting its sharpest one-month increase in twenty-two years. A weak housing market and soaring gasoline prices are adding to consumer pressures. Sudeep Reddy reports on economics for the Wall Street Journal .
Read the story6 minMandela's Fading Vision of Peace for Southern Africa
With just a few weeks to go before a presidential run-off election, Zimbabwe 's Robert Mugabe continues to crack down on his opponents and has banned aid groups from getting food to the hungry. And in neighboring South Africa , despite a strong economy, unemployment is rising and so is crime.
Read the story35 minSeeing Bobby in Barack
"Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not." That George Bernard Shaw quote has become identified with Robert F.
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