President Jacob Zuma’s grounds for appeal are surreal. He invokes the meaning of a rule set by the apartheid context he ferociously fought against, to justify his executive action in a democracy.
Academics find themselves in a world filled with people who aren’t interested in facts.
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Populist movements are on the rise. Their supporters distrust the establishment, elites, authority and official sources. The post-truth world is a post-expert world.
Energy Minister Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi (R) being sworn in.
EPA
The South African government is not giving up on its push for a controversial nuclear power plan. But it’s chances of succeeding have been greatly reduced.
White South Africans own most companies and shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Reuters/Philimon Bulawayo.
The populism politics adopted by South Africa’s ruling party, African National Congress, mask a strategy to deflect attention from the party’s policy failures and to hide its many scandals.
The Cape High Court ruling which declared South Africa’s nuclear energy plan as illegal may have put paid President Jacob Zuma’s ambitions of clinching the deal while he is still in office.
South Africa celebrates Freedom Day this week amid growing discontent over misrule by President Zuma and the ANC. This has led to increased calls for ethical and caring leaders.
The face and character of protests in South Africa seems to be changing.
Reuters/Marius Bosch
The framing of the prevailing political protests in South Africa shows too much focus on the role of individuals. This is dangerous in hearkening back to the flawed Great Man Theory.
Democracy in South Africa is meaningless if it doesn’t improve the lives of the people. To do this, the governing ANC must be led by conscientious, competent and interested leaders.
South Africa’s cabinet reshuffle saw Malusi Gigaba become finance minister and Sifiso Buthelezi his deputy.
REUTERS/James Oatway
The promise of Easter, which Christians around the world celebrate, can be likened to the new struggle in South Africa for a new leadership and government that cares about the people.
Protesters hold banners during a mass protest in Pretoria calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down.
Kim Ludbrook/EPA
The militant talk and antics by the ANC’s ex-soldiers may seem like theatrics, but they are a chilling reminder of how Zimbabwe used armed militia to crash opponents and democracy.
Protesters call for the firing of South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma.
Reuters/Rogan Ward
The notion of South African exceptionalism runs deep. Many people in the country believe that in some cases they are superior to the rest of the continent.
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma in Parliament.
Nic Bothma/EPA