News/Politics

This week’s Talkback question on the Mail & Guardian Online: Was Motlanthe wrong in rebuffing calls for an arms-deal inquiry?

“The wind of change is blowing through this continent and, whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact and our national policies must take account of it. (Harold Macmillan – February3 1960) When I met with Mbhazima Shilowa he advised […]

The Polokwane Gang of Four, and their trailing Average Student, have had a far greater impact than even they realise. Zuma, Vavi, Mantashe, Nzimande and Malema have influenced the manner in which South Africans deal with conflict. Gone are the years of consultation, consensus and dialogue, and political dignity. The very stuff which made us […]

“ANC President, Jacob Zuma, says high levels of corruption in government remains a worrying factor. Zuma says corruption is tainting the image of his party, adding that they have to root out corruption within their ranks in order to preserve the dignity of the ruling party.” (SABC) While the message from Windhoek during the ANC […]

(Note: I wrote this two weeks ago, before the story about mad right-wingers abducting teenagers for “hate camps” emerged. Christmas came early for the ANC this year.) Another year, another collection of South African insults. The third and final book is out in around April, but the act of compiling the chapters inevitably brings up […]

The 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is as good a time as any to discuss Africa’s standing with respect to those rights. Koffi Annan once noted that human rights are often treated as some “rich man’s luxury for which Africa is not ready”. Our problems started right […]

While parliament still has to verify the factors justifying National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli’s dismissal and thereafter approve the same, there can be little doubt that that is simply a formality which will be overcome shortly. The true impact of president Motlanthe’s decision to ignore the recommendations of the Ginwala Commission may however endure […]

“President” Kgalema Motlanthe (or perhaps acting on instructions from Luthuli House) decided to fire the suspended national director of public prosecutions, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, even though the Ginwala Commission of Inquiry absolved him of any wrongdoing and further recommended that he be reinstated to his position. He believes it is illogical to reinstate Pikoli but […]

While aid agencies are confirming that thousands of unreported Zimbabwean deaths are taking place as a result of the collapse of the country’s healthcare in tandem with a breakdown of communications, the Times of London are leading with ANC president Jacob Zuma’s view that mediation offers the best solution to the current crisis. This comes […]