Unscrupulous politicians are adept at using regressive story lines that feed insecurities. That could be dangerous ahead of South Africa’s hotly-contested municipal elections.
A woman cheers during Freedom Day celebrations in South Africa.
Reuters/Mujahid Safodien
South Africa’s transition to democracy was based on the values of inclusive politics, reconciliation, human rights and constitutionalism. Twenty-two years on, how has the country fared?
As South Africa celebrates 22 years since the end of apartheid this month, a new survey by Afrobarometer suggests the country still has a long way to go in fulfilling the promises of freedom.
South African president Jacob Zuma in the country’s parliament, the one formal structure that could remove him from office.
EPA/Sumaya Hisham
Ironically, the only feasible way of removing President Zuma lies outside the prescribed formal structures of the constitutional processes – at the head office of the governing ANC.
If South Africans are to make the radical changes they must to become truly great, the new generation will have to find a way of understanding the country’s past in its profound complexity.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that President Jacob Zuma failed in his duty to ‘uphold, defend and respect’ the Constitution.
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The Constitutional Court judgment in the opposition’s case against President Jacob Zuma represents the exercise of judicial authority and expertise at the highest level by international standards.
South African and ANC President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
A gripping soap opera is unfolding in South Africa. The two protagonists are Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the President Jacob Zuma. The jury’s out on when the curtain will fall.
AIDS activists protest outside South Africa’s parliament in Cape Town.
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Seasoned social rights activist Mark Heywood argues that the constitution provides South Africans with more rights and entitlements than they may be aware of.
Finance minister Pravin Gordhan’s budget speech has put the ANC government’s plan to fight poverty and reduce inequality back in the spotlight.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
Finance minister Pravin Gordhan would need President Zuma’s undivided support to drive bold economic reforms. But, signs suggest that he does not have such support and is undermined by the president.
South African finance minister Pravin Gordhan had to tread carefully to please many competing interests in his budget.
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South Africa’s finance minister means well, especially in his bid to cut public sector expenditure. But his success requires strong leadership and strategic alignment across the entire public sector.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan speaks to President Jacob Zuma
REUTERS/Rogan Ward
South Africa’s finance minister delivered a good mix of macro and micro-economic strategies to ensure the country survives economic uncertainty, restores confidence and achieves some growth.
President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation address.
Reuters/Schalk van Zuydam
Jacob Zuma tried to cover everything under the sun in his State of the Nation address. The speech was not pivoted on an anchor. It was a collection of inputs from various government departments.
South Africa’s strategic direction around health policy has deteriorated to almost nothing.
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In a bid to improve health care in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma has made several promises in the last three years. Some have materialised faster than others.
South Africa’s Jacob Zuma is president of the country as well as the African National Congress. He is under pressure on all fronts.
Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko
It is unlikely President Zuma will announce a structural changes in his State of the Nation Address. This, despite education being in dire need of fundamental restructuring and an economy in decline.
Environmental activists demand a fair climate change deal outside the United Nations Climate Change conference in South Africa recently.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
The 2016 State of the Nation Address provides President Zuma with the ideal opportunity to be statesman-like. That would require bold action of his part, something that he is unlikely to do.