SOUTH AFRICA: Who will be the biggest winner of the municipal elections?
The African National Congress (ANC) will likely be the biggest loser of the 1 November municipal elections, but its loss will not be the gain of the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). Smaller parties, not only the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), will make inroads, … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
SOUTH AFRICA: ANC improves candidate registration but election troubles remain
The African National Congress (ANC) appears to have largely closed its self-inflicted candidate registration gap this week, but the party’s electoral troubles do not end here. With just under six weeks to go to the 1 November municipal elections, several factors could cons… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Stumbling towards the 1 Nov local elections
While the Electoral Commission (IEC) should be able to pull off the organization of local elections now set for 1 November, the process threatens to be politically messy and legally contested. Unless the ruling African National Congress (ANC) manages to complete missing ca… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Tito’s departure a blow, replacement may prove acceptable
Late on 5 August, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his long-awaited cabinet reshuffle. The replacement of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni should not have been Ramaphosa’s priority, even if his successor, Enoch Godongwana, is a well-known and pragmatic ANC policy heavyweig… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Spending for social peace
To keep the peace, the government has announced fiscal support for the poor and business in the wake of recent unrest; it has also averted a potentially disruptive public-sector strike by finalizing a wage deal. The government has been at pains to stress the fiscally neutr… Become a member to read the rest of […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Ripple effects of unrest
President Cyril Ramaphosa is under massive pressure to tackle the fallout from nine days of unprecedented unrest and looting by cleaning up the party and cabinet. Although the government’s initial security response to the mayhem was too little too late, the deployment of m… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: License to loot or higher degree of coordination?
The #FreeZuma unrest has wreaked widespread destruction, first and foremost in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. For now, KZN remains in critical condition, though in Gauteng and elsewhere the unrest appears to be subsiding. Key signals to watch over the coming days will be… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Unrest is bigger than Zuma but when will it die down?
Unrest may continue at least for the next few days, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), after ex-president Jacob Zuma was remanded in custody for contempt of court. Zuma’s imprisonment was the spark that has ignited the #freeZuma and #shutdown unrest, but the disturbances… Become a member to read the rest of this article
SOUTH AFRICA: Beyond Zuma, Ramaphosa has a KZN problem
Ex-president Jacob Zuma topped the agenda at the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) on 5 July. Zuma has lodged a last-minute appeal against a 15-month prison sentence for failing to appear before the Zondo commission on state capture. The Constitutional Court will now hear a … Become a member to read the rest of […]
SOUTH AFRICA: Pandemic politics
On 27 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a return to “Level 4” lockdown restrictions for an initial 14 days in a bid to stem a third Covid-19 wave. While less restrictive than the severest lockdowns of 2020, the pandemic surge and lockdown measures raise concerns abou… Become a member to read the rest of […]