President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to fix South Africa are being undermined from within his own party, the ANC.
EFE-EPA/Kim Ludbrook
Ramaphosa’s detractors are unlikely to succeed in their rumoured bid. And, their failure will not be because they’ve suddenly become weak within the administration.
Most proposed solutions don’t address the systemic problems facing Eskom, in particular its parlous finances.
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The deluge of opinions and proposed solutions to South Africa’s energy crisis reflects corporate and political interests.
South African police minister Bheki Cele (left) claims success in the investigation of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. With him is the head of the police, Khehla Sithole.
GCIS
The task team established to investigate political killings in KwaZulu-Natal has had little impact on exposing those behind the violence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech failed to inspire confidence.
EFE-EPA/ANC handout
The year ahead promises to be a very difficult but also a very decisive year for South Africa. Is President Ramaphosa equal to the challenge?
Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and the governing African National Congress.
EPA/Nic Bothma
The most that may be hoped for from the party’s annual statement is evidence of a president who is confident, clear and courageous.
Epa/Udo Weitz
Distress is normally identified when a company is no longer profitable, when it’s not a going concern anymore, when it has major problems.
A main street of a poor neighbourhood in Cape Town during recent power cuts.
EPA/Nic Bothma
It’s not clear whether South Africa’s president can coordinate his ministers in a way that provides clarity about dealing with the country’s energy crisis.
South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivers the mid-term budget statement at parliament, Cape Town, South Africa, 24 October 2018.
EPA/Nic Bothma
President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Finance Minister Tito Mboweni appear to have good intentions for the economy. But that’s not enough.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (L) is congratulated by Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane after being elected president.
EPA/Nic Bothma
South Africa’s parliamentary system would make it difficult to achieve a fusion of parties.
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria (left) arriving at Waterkloof Airforce Base Airport in Pretoria. He is welcomed by Minister Naledi Pandor.
Katlholo Maifadi/EPA/DIRCO
South Africa and Nigeria have had a turbulent relationship dating back to the early 1990s.
One of the immediate outcomes of talks between Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Cyril Ramaphosa was the easing of tensions.
http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/
Although Nigeria and South Africa are often cast as rivals they have a strong bilateral relationship
South African civil society and private citizens march in protest against xenophobic violence in Johannesburg.
EPA-EFE/Yeshiel Panchia
Xenophobia negates the spirit of pan-Africanism, especially its ideal that Africans share a mutual bond, regardless of their geographical location.
Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo, right, with Dali Mpofu and Winnie Mandela in 1989.
Thobekile Maphumulo Family Papers, Author provided (No reuse)
Colonialism and apartheid sought to make traditional leaders accountable to white officials by tying them to land.
Cyril Ramaphosa led the African National Congress to victory in May. A new law on political funding covers parties, not politicians.
EPA-EFE/Yeshiel Panchia
Secrecy over who funds political parties should trigger fears that government decisions will reflect the wishes of large donors.
Community members in Zandspruit west of Johannesburg block roads after their illegal electricity connections were removed.
EPA/Kevin Sutherland
A clandestine system of transfer payment, with roots in apartheid-era boycotts, has developed into routine behaviour on which many family budgets now depend.
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The fossil fuel industry depends on massive government support, which makes the public foot the bill for a harmful and uncompetitive industry.
Cyril Ramaphosa takes the oath as his inauguration as President of South Africa.
EPA-EFE/Yeshiel Panchia
Politics is being reduced to personalities in South Africa. The real issue is whether the damage that’s been done can be undone.
Traditional leaders listen to a speech by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s in Makhanda, Eastern Cape.
EPA-EFE/Elmond Jiyane
The contested law also defines the jurisdiction of traditional leaders in terms of territory. But traditional community boundaries are actually set by personal relationships.
South Afriocan President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering his third state of the nation address.
EPA-EFE/Roger Bosch / Pool
Ramaphosa offered five simple yet bold goals for the next ten years that cut across the social and economic structural constraints that inhibit South Africa’s potential.
South Africa has struggled to get schooling right across the board.
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It’s easy to report on access and inputs, but much more difficult to achieve educational quality and meaningful outcomes.