There are many reasons why you may have missed our new 'Blogs to bookmark' feature. You may have been on a solo expedition to the North Pole; you may have angered your significant other who in turn hid your computer in the broom cupboard; or you may have been temporarily blinded the glitz and glamour that was the State of the Nation address. Okay… that's about it, really.

The concept is a pretty simple one: we trawl the web for awesome, informative, witty and intellectual blogs and then we share them with you. Pretty cool, huh?

Thus far, we've featured Laurence Caromba's blog of political and social commentary and Professor Pierre de Vos's legal take on all things Constitutional. This week we give you the lowdown on Alex Matthews's Afrodissident.

What's it all about?

Short-listed for the SA Blog Awards in both 2008 and 2009 (Best SA Blog about Politics and Best Original Writing on an SA Blog), Afrodissident provides political commentary and analysis on Africa (largely) and beyond.

Written by Alex Matthews, a branding communications student with a lifelong passion for politics and a firm belief in the sanctity of human rights, the blog covers a range of topics from the plight of Zimbabweans in South Africa to the latest ANC squabble.

Why we like it

Although Matthews does occasionally come across as something of a DA sympathiser, his commentary is articulate and interesting. Strongly opinionated, he doesn't hold any punches in his criticism, which is biting and well-reasoned.

A clearly laid-out and visually-appealing blog, Afrodissident also includes relevant videos and pictures. For those looking for something positive, Matthews also includes mention of 'good news' projects and those who are attempting to make a difference.

A short snippet from the blog

"South Africa is at a crossroads. Now more than ever is it important to use our freedom to ensure that democracy prevails in South Africa — that it is strengthened and sustainable. Periodic elections are not enough. A democracy can only live and flourish if citizens actively engage with important issues.

"Freedom of speech — and utilising that vital right — stimulates democracy by ensuring that power structures — from government and corporations to trade unions and NGOs — are held accountable for their actions and policies.

"If we are silent and apathetic we are complicit in power abuse, in reinforcing mediocrity as a standard and in ensuring that an unsatisfactory status quo is maintained."

Read it if…

Are you writing or reading something interesting? Mail us your favourite blogs and, if we like them, we'll share them!

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