Reactions to Chrystia Freeland’s appointment as finance minister demonstrate how qualifications and arguments about merit are deployed to women’s disadvantage in politics.
The best chance South Africa has of recovering from sub-investment grade credit rating status is to have leaders who are prepared to break rank with the small-mindedness of the ruling party.
The decision to give former Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe, a seat in the country’s parliament comes with the potential to cause great economic pain for South Africa.
South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan spoke of protecting the economy from predators. This is commendable but not enough to build an inclusive economy.
The sudden expulsion of the finance minister makes it hard not to be pessimistic about the South African government’s ability to manage the difficult challenges it might face in 2016.
It is difficult to analyse political developments in South Africa. Decision-making does not fit any neat political science theory. President Zuma is unpredictable and his policy thinking is woolly.