As the domestic situation in the United States continues to be an environment of chaos and uncertainty, international affairs at large mirror the turmoil and instability found at home. Indeed, at a global level inflation has gripped communities in every nation, placing increasing burdens on working people as the cost of living rises. Wages remain behind the rising cost of living, and in many countries taxation rates are much higher than in America, worsening the issue. From a macro-viewpoint, nations like Russia and China continue to act aggressively, with Russia mired in a bloody conflict against Ukraine in eastern Europe and China taking increasingly threatening positions in the pacific. In truth, the entire order of the world as it has existed since the end of the cold war is on the precipice of change, and the future is uncertain.
In an unfortunate development in global affairs, the granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, Zoleka Mandela, passed away after a prolonged bought with cancer. She was only 43 years of age. After being admitted to the hospital on September 18th for severe metastatic cancer, her condition seriously deteriorated, and she died shortly thereafter on September 25th. Zoleka had been ill for some time and had publicly announced it. In 2013, she released a book which documented her family’s struggle in leading the fight against apartheid in South Africa.
Her grandfather, Nelson Mandela, was released from prison in 1990 when Zoleka was only 10 years old after spending 20 years in prison for his actions against the policies. Obviously, she had never met him before that instance. Her grandfather would then go on to serve as the first president of South Africa for five years, from 1994 to 1999. Nelson died in 2013, at the age of 95. Zoleka did not have a rosy childhood and suffered from drug abuse and depression. She had been ill for 11 years. May she rest in peace.
