The suggestion that Mandela single-handedly achieved democracy is as intellectually threadbare as the charge that he was centrally responsible for the failure to transform South Africa.
Human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist George Bizos at Freedom Park, Pretoria, in 2013.
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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.
FW de Klerk, the last president of apartheid South Africa.
Getty Images
In his new capacity as President of South Africa, FW de Klerk directly experienced for the first time how the international community had abandoned its support for minority white rule.
A victory at the polls might not be enough to give President Cyril Ramaphosa the leeway to fix South Africa’s economy.
EPA-EFE/Nic Bothma
A change in the ownership of the South African Reserve Bank from private shareholders to government shouldn’t impact the constitutional mandate of the central bank in any way.
South African President Jacob Zuma sings before his opening address at the 54th National Conference of the governing ANC.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Zuma’s last address to South Africa’s governing party, the ANC, as its president, betrayed his strange way of dealing with issues. He came across as delusional and self-indulgent.
There is a fallout between alliance partners the South African Communist Party and the governing ANC.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
The South African Communist Party’s decision to compete in an election against its alliance partner the ANC is a watershed moment for them, with important implications for the country.
Students from Wits University, in Johannesburg, during a protest for free education.
EPA/Kim Ludbrook
The South African oddity is that those who in other societies would be arguing against free passes for the affluent, argue for them.
South Africa’s Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa and former finance minister Trevor Manuel were instrumental to the making of the country’s National Development Plan.
GCIS
The twilight of Jacob Zuma’s ruinous presidency coincides with growing revulsion at his misrule of South Africa. But, it’s important that his erstwhile supporters acknowledge their complicity.
SACP’s Blade Nzimande, left, with Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
GCIS
After tiptoeing around the idea of contesting state power South Africa’s Communist Party is looking to strengthen its position now that the ANC is no longer the dominant force it used to be.
A protest in support of Raymond Suttner released from detention in 1988 by apartheid authorities.
Robert Botha/Times Media Group
In the new introduction to his prison memoir South African anti-apartheid stalwart Raymond Suttner uses the word ‘betrayal’ to explain his break from the ANC.
The fallout at the meeting of South Africa’s governing ANC clearly exposed how the party’s factionalism has spilled over into government. This is likely to paralyse governance even further.
#FeesMustFall, and its demands for zero university fee increases, is in a second cycle of mass resistance in South Africa.
Mike Hutchings/Reuters
Defects in political governance, especially President Jacob Zuma’s failure to provide leadership, have induced a crisis of confidence in South Africa’s economy.
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma (right) and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. The jury is out on whether Ramaphosa will break ranks.
Mike Hutchings/Reuters
The stakes have not been higher since the heady days of the early 1990s when South Africa also looked over the brink. Now it is less about brink and more about who will blink
Supporters of South Africa’s governing ANC during campaigning for upcoming local election.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
The Tripartite Alliance in South Africa has previously provided the governing African National Congress with diverse support, securing it victory at the polls. It is now riven with dissension.