Opinion
14.12.2018 06:21 pm
Why the ANC itself is Ramaphosa’s biggest problem
The reality is that South Africa has a systemic ANC problem, not a Zuma problem.
Even his detractors would concede that Cyril Ramaphosa has greatly improved the political atmosphere in South Africa since assuming the presidency in February 2018. True, the scope for any further deterioration was minimal. So squalid was his predecessor’s rule that virtually any new leader from outside the Zuma patronage machine would have offered some respite and improvement.
Why the ANC itself is Ramaphosa’s biggest problem
The reality is that South Africa has a systemic ANC problem, not a Zuma problem.
Talking Point
What the Ramaphosa economy needs to do after cleaning up the Zuma stench
The new government hasn’t yet formulated a clear plan for fixing the economy.
Talking Point
Honey bees face a new threat from the world’s most common herbicide
Honey bees are essential pollinators in the agricultural environments in which the herbicide glyphosate is so heavily used.
Talking Point
Southern Africa must brace itself for more tropical cyclones in future
Based on the progressive trend of larger tropical storms over the past three decades, their frequency is likely to keep increasing, and Southern African governments must respond proactively.
Africa
Study sheds light on scourge of ‘fake’ news in Africa
Disinformation in Africa often takes the form of extreme speech inciting violence and spreading racist, misogynous, xenophobic messages.
Opinion
Why EFF leaders have become the nastiest versions of themselves again
The fight against corruption has shades of Brazil, where the people ostensibly opposed to corruption are far more corrupt themselves.
South Africa
After Herzlia, SA Jewish community must look inward on Israel
A former Herzlia student feels the school should be a reflection of the diversity of South African Jews.
South Africa
The Concourt has reset the power balance between villagers, mines and chiefs
South Africa has made progress towards interrupting the looting of land by chiefs, state officials and mining capital.
South Africa
Pets and writing – two smart ways to stop SA prisoners from reoffending
We have a very high recidivism rate, primarily because of old-fashioned ideas about punishment.
Talking Point
Why the ANC will probably squeak through with more than 50%
Despite years of misrule, neither the DA nor populists like Malema have been able create the impression that they’re ready to govern.
Talking Point
How the colonial past of botanical gardens can be put to good use
By learning about successful gardening initiatives, these insights can be applied to regions lagging behind in terms of developing and using botanic gardens.
Talking Point
#MeToo arrival in India marks change in how tech is used to fight injustice
Recently, the Indian state attempted to use smart technologies to deliver safe cities for women. The strategies used to address both online and offline violence.
Talking Point
Why ‘legal highs’ may be more dangerous than traditional drugs of abuse
Adding the relative ignorance among users and healthcare professionals about how to take these new drugs safely and how to treat overdoses, it’s clear that “legal highs” are anything but a safe substitute for traditional drugs of abuse.
Talking Point
Why blind loyalty to the ANC among voters is on its way out
Recent survey data suggest that voters are beginning to care more about service delivery than about which party is doing it.
Opinion
In the next election, Ramaphosa will have to be bigger than the ANC
Amid the stench of corruption, the ruling party’s new leader is its one hope of retaining power, and he’s likely to use it.
Talking Point
How the apartheid regime burnt books – in their tens of thousands
South Africa has a history of burning books, and there is every reason to believe it can happen again.
Talking Point
E-cigarettes and the new threat of how to dispose of them
E-cigarettes contain hazardous substances which, if not disposed of properly, can lead to serious damage to environmental and human health.
Africa
Why Mnangagwa needs to get the money back from the Mugabes
This would be just the start of numerous reforms needed to reverse the country’s inevitable slide into economic hell.
Talking Point
South African policies need to recognise the diversity of informal economies
Informal employment makes up roughly a third or 5 million of total non-agricultural employment in South Africa’s workforce.
Africa
Why Mnangagwa has wooed Zimbabwe’s white sports heroes
Zimbabwe’s president may have pulled of a masterstroke by roping in Kirsty Coventry and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Opinion
Ramaphosa has the edge over Zuma faction when it comes to economic policy
However, it’s clear that power in the ANC remains finely balanced.
Africa
Will Kgalema Motlanthe’s Zimbabwe killings inquiry be credible?
Critics fear Mnangagwa’s aim is to pin the blame for election-related violence on opposition leaders.
Talking Point
Victim surveys show that crime in SA may be dropping, yet fear is rising
Data from victim and crime perception surveys help make sense of crime statistics.
Talking Point
‘Timetables have become decorations on the Metrorail boards’
An open letter to Prasa and the department of transport about the steady decline of urban train services.
Talking Point
SA’s white right, the alt-right and the alternative
The pressure group AfriForum and its allies want to be the only voices speaking on behalf of Afrikaners.
South Africa
Cosatu is no longer the ANC’s elections trump card
The labour federation used to ensure millions of votes for the governing party – that is now far from guaranteed.
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