insert_link South Africa In S.A, the ANC in Gauteng has hailed the removal of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink In S.A, the ANC in Gauteng has hailed the removal of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink as the beginning of a rebuilding process for the city after years of instability under DA-led governance. The party accused Brink of mismanagement, poor service delivery, and financial mismanagement. Briefing the media after the council meeting, ANC provincial secretary, Thembinkosi Nciza claims Brink’s ousting will help restore stability and prioritise the needs of marginalised communities […] todaySeptember 27, 2024 6
insert_link Africa Steve Biko, the South African liberation struggle hero who considered dishonour worse than death By Jacob Dlamini, Princeton University What happens when death becomes the ultimate marker of one’s commitment to one’s freedom? Jacob Dlamini explores this and other questions in his new book, Dying for Freedom: Political Martyrdom in South Africa. This edited extract, from the chapter Dead and Proud, focuses on Steve Biko’s attitude to martyrdom and to the political uses of death (30). Steve Biko’s death on 12 September […] todaySeptember 10, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s 400 parliamentarians are about to get down to business: 4 essential reads By Caroline Southey, The Conversation; Jabulani Sikhakhane, The Conversation, and Thabo Leshilo, The Conversation On 29 May 2024 South Africans went to the polls and delivered a strong message to their political leaders: we’re tired of the “same old same old”. They slashed the governing African National Congress’s share of the vote to just over 40%. And put their crosses next to a host of […] todayJuly 17, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s new parliament needs to do a better job of holding cabinet to account: legal scholar weighs the chances By Hugh Corder, University of Cape Town South Africa has entered new territory with a government of national unity after the May elections. The parties representing more than 70% of the electorate will now be the dominant force in parliament. The parties that are not part of the unity government will doubtless continue to demand accountability by the executive. A particular challenge arises, however, for […] todayJuly 17, 2024 11
insert_link Entertainment Brenda Fassie’s 1997 hit song Vulindlela still raises questions about South Africa as a nation By Mbali Mazibuko, University of Johannesburg In 1997, South Africa’s most famous music star had a huge hit. Brenda Fassie’s Vulindlela became a national pop anthem, played especially at weddings and celebrations. Vulindlela can be loosely translated from the Zulu language as an instruction to “make way” or, if you like, “clear the path”. The song is about making way for the groom (and […] todayJuly 12, 2024 41
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new agricultural leadership should focus on getting things done, not designing new policies By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa’s primary agriculture sector accounts for nearly 3% of GDP and about 8% when considering the value of agro-processing. But it can contribute even more to economic growth that delivers benefits fairly across society and creates jobs. This can’t happen, however, if new policies and plans keep getting introduced. Fortunately, the views of the new agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, may […] todayJuly 3, 2024 27
insert_link South Africa How democracy can work at community level: 3 lessons from a South African protest movement By Luke Sinwell, University of Johannesburg Popular protests have surged around the world over the last decade. But do they work? And what lessons can be learnt from communities who have a history of militant protests? When the African National Congress (ANC) was elected to power in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994, many believed that popular protests, which were the […] todayJuly 2, 2024 22
insert_link South Africa S.Africa’s new centre-right government promises unity, action South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's new coalition government heralds a pragmatic centre-right shift as opposition parties take control of more than a third of ministries, bringing hope for better governance but also cohesion fears. The African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the advent of democracy in 1994, keeps 20 of the 32 cabinet positions, including foreign affairs, finance, defence, justice and police. The historied party […] todayJuly 1, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa DA Assumes Major Role in National Government And Promises Governance Excellence The DA says it is proud to rise to the challenge and take its place at the seat of national government for the first time. The party has secured six ministries and six deputy ministers in the new cabinet. These include leader John Steenhuisen as minister of Agriculture, Siviwe Gwarube as Basic Education minister and Leon Schreiber as the minister of Home Affairs. Steenhuisen says they are ready to introduce […] todayJuly 1, 2024 17
