Despite its vagueness, the RET has become central to the contemporary ANC. It is destined to remain a powerful bloc within the party, and a constant constraint on Ramaphosa leadership.
Ending violence against foreigners can only happen by first recognising – and addressing – the hazards of South Africa’s crumbling system of indirect rule.
Looters make off with supplies during the unrest that hit parts of two provinces in South Africa in July.
EFE-EPA/Stringer
The democratic transition in 1994 was the result of an ‘elite pact’ that changed the country’s politics, but did little to undermine the foundations of white economic power.
Miners fit a ventilation pipe in an underground platinum mine in South Africa.
Shutterstock
The new governing elite mistakenly believes that the goal of a democratic South Africa is simply to extend to everyone what whites enjoyed under apartheid.
A real problem for the Democratic Alliance is that it cannot hope to displace the dominant African National Congress.
EFE-EPA/Kevin Sutherland
The problem for the Democratic Alliance is not one of policy. There is real substance in its commitment to substituting racial criteria for overcoming historical disadvantage.
Small-scale farming creates more jobs in South Africa.This one is in Soweto, Johannesburg.
Sharon Seretlo/Gallo Images/Getty Images
The new initiative reproduces the core weaknesses of post-apartheid state land and agricultural policy. These have done little to improve the livelihoods of the poor.
A policeman stands guard during a protest by minibus taxi operators against a new bus service for Johannnesburg.
Alexander Joe/AFP via Getty Images
It is vital that the latest move by government towards restructuring succeeds in making the industry safe, reliable and viable, contributing to the country’s economy.
The Democratic Alliance wants an end to race-based affirmative action policies.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
His appearance on behalf of the families of mine workers shot by the police at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry was just one of his efforts to seek justice for the poor and marginalised.
Land reform can assist in creating more employment-intensive farming systems
Gunter Fischer/-Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
When South Africa eventually emerges from the fog of the COVID-19 crisis, structural reform, including land reform, will be high on the political agenda as never before.
Anti-corruption protesters march on Parliament in Cape Town in 2017.
shutterstock/Aqua Images
In South Africa, state corruption has taken hold with utter disregard for ethics and democratic norms in a cynical exploitation of the post-apartheid transformation agenda.
Former leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mmusi Maimane. The politics of race in the party ended his tenure.
EPA/Nic Bothma
South Africans may well be seduced by the prospect of Zuma appearing at the Zondo commission, but he was not alone in driving the state capture project.
A view of Sandton City, the richest square mile in Africa, towering over Alexandra township, in Johannesburg.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
In matters of policy-making and governing, understanding the systemic complexity of interrelated forces is crucial to avoiding failure.
Peter Marais, the Freedom Front Plus’ candidate for Western Cape premier, left, and party leader, Pieter Groenewald.
Brendan Magaar/African News Agency(ANA).