Applause for UN decision to finally name slavery for what it was:
On 25 March 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/80/L.48, declaring the trafficking of enslaved Africans and the system of racialised chattel enslavement of Africans to be the gravest crime against humanity. The decision was long overdue. It marked a rare moment in which the international community chose truth over convenience, history over amnesia and moral clarity over diplomatic discomfort.
For more than four centuries, millions of Africans were forcibly captured, commodified, transported and exploited through a global system that underpinned the rise of modern economies. This was not an accident of history, nor the work of isolated individuals acting outside the law. It was a structured, state-supported system that transformed human beings into inheritable property, normalised racial hierarchy and embedded inequality in the foundations of the global order.
The significance of Resolution A/80/L.48 lies in its refusal to sanitise this past. By naming the transatlantic slave trade and racialised chattel enslavement as crimes against humanity, the United Nations affirms that no passage of time can convert injustice into legitimacy. A crime does not cease to be a crime because it was once codified in law or tolerated by those who benefited from it.
This distinction matters. History is replete with unjust laws that sought to legitimise oppression, from slavery to apartheid. The fact that slavery was regulated through legal codes, commercial standards and religious decrees did not diminish its criminal nature. On the contrary, it shows how entire systems were mobilised to deny the humanity of Africans and their descendants.
The resolution also confronts an uncomfortable but necessary truth: the consequences of slavery did not end with abolition. Structural racism, racial discrimination and persistent inequalities affecting people of African descent are not random social failures. They are the enduring legacy of a global system that extracted labour and wealth while denying dignity, rights and opportunity.
By acknowledging this continuity, the General Assembly sends a clear message that historical crimes create present-day responsibilities. Justice is not only backward-looking; it is corrective. Recognition, remembrance and repair are not acts of charity but obligations rooted in universal principles of human rights and equality.
The resolution also reaffirms that crimes against humanity are not subject to statutes of limitation. This principle, echoed across legal and moral traditions, reflects a simple truth: grave injustices do not expire. They impose ongoing duties to tell the truth, educate future generations honestly and ensure non-repetition.
For educators and parents, the resolution provides a clear reference point. The forts and castles along Africa’s coastline were not built for benign trade; they were part of a system of human trafficking. Teaching this history accurately is not about assigning guilt to today’s children. It is about equipping them with the moral clarity to recognise injustice and the courage to resist it.
For policymakers, the resolution creates a foundation for dialogue on reparatory justice, remembrance and institutional reform. Although General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, they shape global expectations and signal what the world is no longer willing to deny.
Above all, Resolution A/80/L.48 is a statement about human dignity. It rejects doctrines of racial superiority, affirms the equality of all people and restores historical truth to its rightful place in the global conscience. In doing so, it challenges societies to align their professed values with their lived realities.
The world does not need selective memory. It needs honesty. It does not need symbolic gestures divorced from substance. It needs moral courage. By naming slavery for what it was — a crime against humanity — the United Nations has taken a necessary step towards resetting the moral compass of our shared world.
Anthony Ohemeng-Boamah is the UNDP Resident Representative in Guinea
Top things to do in Johannesburg:
Johannesburg is one of those cities that gets better and better the more time you spend in it. You might spend a morning sipping flat whites in a chic café, browsing a weekend market, hiking through a nature reserve, or sitting down to a plate of delicious food. Whether you’re spending a day in the city, planning a full weekend, or looking for ideas to help you rediscover Joburg like a local, there’s always something happening.
If you’re curious about where to start, here are some of the best things to do in Johannesburg right now.
Start with the city’s icons
If it’s your first time in Joburg, beginning with the city’s most important landmarks helps set the scene. Constitution Hill offers a powerful overview of South Africa’s democratic journey, while the Apartheid Museum remains one of the country’s most moving and thoughtfully curated museums. Both are immersive, emotional, and well worth the time.
From there, explore a neighbourhood or two. Maboneng is creative and energetic, filled with street art, cafés, rooftop bars, and independent stores. Rosebank feels more polished, with galleries, shopping, and restaurants clustered around walkable streets. Both give you a sense of Joburg’s personality, just from different angles.
If you’re travelling with family or simply want something playful, Gold Reef City is a classic Johannesburg experience. Built around an old gold mine, it combines theme park rides, heritage attractions, and entertainment, making it an easy half-day outing.
Whether you’re a local or not, it’s worth having a browse through the Johannesburg holiday guide to see what fits your timing and interests. You can easily spend hours at each stop, so plan lightly and leave room to enjoy the city’s pace.
Make time for green spaces
One of Johannesburg’s surprises is how green it is. The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam are a local favourite for morning walks, picnics, and lazy afternoons. The grounds are expansive, and it’s common to see runners, families, and birdwatchers sharing the space.
For something more active, Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve offers hiking trails with sweeping views over the city, while Delta Park is ideal for gentle walks (especially with dogs!) and spotting birdlife. These spaces give you a break from traffic and city buzz without leaving Johannesburg at all.
Browse markets and galleries
Weekends in Joburg are made for markets. The Rosebank Sunday Market is one of the most popular, mixing food stalls, crafts, and local designers in an easy, walkable space. Victoria Yards, on the eastern edge of the city, is another highlight. It’s a working creative precinct where artists, designers, and food vendors come together in a lively, local atmosphere. You can find a similar creative energy at 44 Stanley. It’s not a traditional market, but a thoughtfully restored precinct of 1930s industrial buildings now home to independent boutiques, cafés, galleries, and design studios.
If you’re up early, the Fourways Farmers Market or Linden Market are perfect for brunch and browsing, while night markets like Prison Break Market offer food, music, and a relaxed evening vibe. Markets are one of the best ways to experience Joburg like a local, especially if you want to eat well without committing to a formal restaurant.
And if art is more your thing, Rosebank is a strong starting point. Everard Read, the oldest commercial gallery on the continent, showcases some of Southern Africa’s most important artists and sits alongside the striking CIRCA exhibition space. Even if you only pop in for half an hour, it offers a quick immersion into the region’s contemporary art scene. If you haven’t had your fill, head on to Keyes Art Mile down the road.
Joburg after dark: what to do at night
Evenings in Joburg can be as relaxed or as lively as you want them to be. The city’s dining scene has matured dramatically in recent years, with standout restaurants like Bellagio, Signature, Marble, and Embarc serving refined, modern food.
If it’s drinks you’re after, head upward. Alto234 delivers sweeping views from one of Africa’s tallest urban viewpoints, while The Living Room pairs rooftop greenery with a relaxed, creative crowd. If your evening calls for expertly made cocktails, Sin+Tax is widely regarded as one of the city’s top cocktail destinations, known for creative drinks and a speakeasy-style setting.
Not sure what neighbourhoods to frequent after dark? Parkhurst is always a sure bet, and 4th Avenue is packed with galleries, restaurants, and vibey bars. Book in advance or just take a stroll and see what looks good. You seriously can’t go wrong on this pavement stretch, and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into a little slice of Europe.
If you love discovering under-the-radar corners of the city, you’ll enjoy our guide to Johannesburg’s hidden gems. It’s ideal for locals who’ve “done it all” and want something new, or visitors who want to see the less-visited side of the city.
Slow down with a spa day
If your trip needs a pause button, Johannesburg’s spa scene is absolutely thriving. After all, everyone needs a break from the city buzz from time to time! Aronia Day Spa in Houghton and Life Day Spa in Rosebank are great for classic treatments, while Camelot Spa at Melrose Arch and the Four Seasons Spa at Westcliff offer a more indulgent experience with an incredible view. Seriously.
Wildlife experiences close to the city
You don’t have to travel far from Johannesburg to experience wildlife. Montecasino Bird Gardens is a relaxed, family-friendly option right in the city, while Lion & Safari Park and Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve are both easy day trips.
If you have more time, Pilanesberg National Park is just a few hours away and offers a genuine Big Five safari experience, making Johannesburg a natural gateway to the bush.
When and how to get around Jozi
Two to three days is a great amount of time if you want to see the main attractions, enjoy a few meals out, and get a feel for the city. Many travellers spend a night on arrival or before flying out again, while others add Joburg onto a longer South African itinerary, especially if they’re planning a safari in Kruger or North West.
If it’s your first time, browse Johannesburg flights to see arrival times and plan around them. Morning arrivals are great for squeezing in an extra half-day of exploring.
Joburg is a year-round destination, but spring and autumn tend to be the most comfortable. Summer brings warm afternoons and the city’s famous afternoon thunderstorms, while winter is crisp, sunny, and perfect for sightseeing.
The easiest way to get around is by rideshare apps or rental car. The Gautrain connects the airport with Sandton, Rosebank, and Pretoria, making it a reliable and safe option if you want to skip traffic.
Johannesburg is a big, busy African city, and like any major destination, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. Stick to well-known areas, use rideshare apps, and be cautious after dark. You’ll want to keep an eye on your valuables too, so don’t flash your phone or money around and try not to leave them out on the table if you’re sitting near a pavement. Most visitors find that with normal precautions, exploring Joburg is straightforward and enjoyable.
Ready to explore Johannesburg?
Joburg is a city that rewards curiosity: the more you wander, taste, and try, the more it reveals. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend, stopping over before a safari, or rediscovering your own backyard, there’s always something happening.
Browse Johannesburg holiday packages, check the latest flight specials, or chat with a Flight Centre Travel Expert to start planning your next Joburg adventure.
Are you ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime? Your centre for travel has it all. Chat with an Expert to find out more.
How the DA’s grand-standing may undermine GNU coherence:
In governance, victories are collective. Claiming credit for work done by predecessors while ignoring shared responsibility is not leadership. It is opportunism that undermines South Africa’s stability.
This goes to the heart of a troubling pattern, particularly from the Democratic Alliance (DA), of claiming credit for successes initiated long before it entered the executive, while distancing itself when difficulties arise.
South Africans gave the seventh administration a clear mandate: work together, govern together and deliver together. That mandate is not a call for ideological uniformity, but for unity of purpose. The success of this administration will be judged not by which party claims the loudest victories, but by a shared commitment to constitutionalism, professionalism and effective governance.
The government of national unity (GNU) has already shown resilience despite moments of tension. That resilience reflects an understanding that its mandate is larger than any single party. Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, the GNU has delivered measurable progress. Yet a parallel narrative has emerged. When there is success, some present it as a partisan triumph; when problems arise, they adopt the language of distance. This is not political maturity. It is opportunism.
This is most visible in the corruption crackdown in the department of home affairs. The minister’s party has presented the outcomes of investigations into corruption and maladministration as a personal and party success. Yet several of these processes predate his tenure by years. Investigations into fraud, including the clean-up of irregularly issued documents and the strengthening of internal controls, began under former minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Digitisation reforms and anti-corruption measures now yielding results were embedded in medium-term plans, budget allocations and disciplinary processes long before the GNU was formed.
Similarly, progress in long-running probes into identity and immigration fraud — now resulting in visible enforcement — stems from multi-year collaboration between the department of home affairs, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) and other law enforcement agencies. These cases were opened, evidence gathered and prosecutorial pathways prepared well before the current minister took office. To present their outcomes as new is to erase the work of officials, investigators and previous political leadership.
South Africans are now seeing signs of recovery: improved energy availability, progress in infrastructure rollout, movement in stabilising state-owned enterprises (SOEs), stronger justice institutions and renewed investor confidence. These developments build on reforms initiated in previous ANC-led administrations. Structural reform does not unfold in months. It requires sustained effort across design, consultation, budgeting and implementation. The GNU is not a rupture from the past, but a continuation and acceleration of existing reforms.
Government is not a start-up that resets with each appointment. It is a relay. The final runner may break the tape, but the victory belongs to the team. Each runner carries the baton at a cost. To cross the line and claim sole credit is not leadership. It is amnesia presented as achievement.
The GNU did not begin on a blank slate. It inherited and advanced a delivery agenda developed over many years. What is now visible as progress reflects the maturation of policies implemented over time.
When ministers claim personal or party credit for outcomes built on years of prior work, it distorts the public record. It erases the contributions of predecessors, officials and investigators, and presents an inaccurate account of progress.
This also creates unnecessary competition within cabinet. When ministers compete for recognition, it undermines collegiality, weakens trust and diverts attention from shared priorities. Cabinet should be a space for collective problem-solving, not point-scoring.
The DA’s growing tendency to frame the successes of the GNU as its own achievement undermines the principles of government communication. It risks eroding public trust and institutional credibility. Government communication requires coordination, consistency and professionalism. When parties compete for credit, they create mixed messages that weaken accountability and blur the line between state communication and party messaging.
This places government communicators in a difficult position. Their role is to convey a coherent government message, not to manage disputes between ministers. Public communication must reflect shared responsibility and cumulative progress.
The attempt to position oneself as both a governing partner and an external critic raises questions about political consistency. The DA cannot credibly claim to be both. If the GNU succeeds, it does so collectively. If it fails, responsibility is shared. Selective ownership — claiming success while avoiding responsibility — trivialises governance. As local government elections approach, this tendency may intensify.
Coalition governance succeeds when leaders act with humility and integrity. It fails when cabinet becomes an extension of party campaigning. This is not about suppressing political identity, but about upholding constitutional responsibility. Ministers may receive recognition, but it must be grounded in the long-term nature of governance. No single minister reverses years of decline or completes complex work overnight.
Those in government have a duty to present a disciplined and unified front. Investors assess not only policy, but political coherence. Mixed messaging and partisan grandstanding undermine confidence. South Africa’s democratic experience shows that durable administrations depend on strong institutions and disciplined communication, not short-term political theatre.
South Africans care less about which party claims credit and more about whether government delivers. The GNU requires discipline, integrity and humility from all who serve in it. If leaders uphold the spirit of cooperation, recognise continuity and speak with one voice, this administration can deliver lasting change.
The relay is still under way. Many have carried the baton. Leadership is not about who claims the finish, but who recognises the team that made it possible. Success will depend on resisting the temptation of opportunism.
Cornelius Monama is a communication specialist. He writes in his personal capacity (X: @cmonama).
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