Referenda may well have a place in the country’s democracy, but if the form of an electoral system can be referred to a referendum, why not capital punishment, abortion or LGBT rights?
The misfortunes experienced by Brian Molefe, the CEO of South Africa’s power utility Eskom, shows that the battle for the country’s public purse is not a one way bet.
Former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan flanked by Deputy Minister Mcebisi Jonas and Director General Lungile Fuzile.
GCIS
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.
South Africa’s cabinet reshuffle saw Malusi Gigaba become finance minister and Sifiso Buthelezi his deputy.
REUTERS/James Oatway
A captured South African Treasury is bad news for the country’s poor but the view that the capture is a natural enemy of the market economy is a myth.
Demonstrators protest outside South Africa’s Parliament in Cape Town against President Jacob Zuma’s firing of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Reuters/Mike Hutchings
Are those ANC members critical of Zuma willing to stand up and be counted? Will Pravin Gordhan, popular hero of the hour, provide one further great service to the nation?
South African President Jacob Zuma. He has survived a bid to have him removed and might strike back.
Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters
All eyes are on the next move from President Jacob Zuma after he survived a bid from senior ANC colleagues to remove him. The fallout is expected to be focused on the economic cluster of government.
South Africa’s deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa (L) and President Jacob Zuma. Ramaphosa has described the ANC government as being at war with itself.
EPA/Mike Hutchings
South Africa has reached a critical point. If patronage politicians win the battle within the ruling ANC and complete the capture of the state, the country will slip from stagnation into the abyss.
Allegations that President Jacob Zuma’s friends, the Gupta family, corruptly dictate cabinet appointments have plunged South Africa into a political crisis.
Shutterstock
Lobbying political actors to achieve particular outcomes is an acceptable practice in a democracy. But state capture, as is allegedly happening in South Africa, denotes holding the state to ransom.
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.