The 30th of August – 30 BC – is the day on which Cleopatra the famous seventh queen of Egypt committed suicide. Apparently, she deliberately poked an Egyptian cobra until it was so angry it bit her. In Shakespeare’s version of the story – Anthony and Cleopatra – Cleopatra died holding the snake that bit […]
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Zuma needs a democratic Zimbabwe to gain credibility over Libya
The continued claim by South African President Jacob Zuma that the approach of the international community to Libya is just one more example of their lack of respect for Africa is not only misplaced but fails to factor in historical considerations relating to the end of apartheid and this country’s woeful efforts to bring lasting […]
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Zuma nomination fair on process, foul on substance
President Jacob Zuma has nominated Constitutional Court Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng to replace outgoing Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo as provided for in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution. The section sets out that the president as head of the national executive, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the leaders of parties represented in […]
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ANCYL: Zuma’s uthini baba moment
Jacob Zuma was made to wait for three hours because the start of the ANCYL’s elective conference (Midrand, June 16 2011) was delayed by, among others, the late arrival of ANCYL president Julius Malema. Once the conference began, Zuma had to listen to Malema‘s wide-ranging, 90-minute speech — a speech that was not all that […]
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Why Zuma’s Rolled Out Big Mac
Despite being prone to regular attacks of the giggles, President-by-Omission Jacob Zuma is an astute guy. In fact, the giggles are all part of the show. The appointment of Mac Maharaj as his spokesperson shows he’s still on top of his game. The media speculate that this move is all about former presidential spokesperson Zizi […]
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The lone vulture circles Zuma
While five years is a short time in power, 18 months is a long time in politics.
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Zuma, Gaddafi and the Libyans
What did South Africa expect after voting in support of the UN resolution to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya? That the UN would issue a press statement that would cause Gaddafi immediately to cease all fire and halt all fighter jets? I fail to understand why, having sanctioned a vote in favour at the […]
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What Zuma did not say on Human Rights Day
Rather than regurgitate what his Excellency said at Athlone Stadium on occasion of the celebration of Human Rights Day on March 21, I would rather focus on what he did not say. What attracts me is the eloquence with which he did not say what he did not say. I stand in awe at the […]
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With friends like Schabir Shaik, does Zuma need enemies?
President Jacob Zuma must be feeling pretty miffed right about now. I certainly would be if I was in his place. Even accepting — as our legal system has and we certainly must respect their decision not to proceed — that the president was not in any way involved in corrupt activities with Schabir Shaik, […]
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The DA-Zuma judgment: An administrative criminal-law cocktail?
In April 2009, shortly before the general elections, the then acting director of the NPA, Mokotedi Mpshe, and his deputy, Willie Hofmeyr, decided to enter a nolle prosequi in the pending criminal prosecution of Jacob Zuma, the president of the ANC. The DA then brought a lawsuit to review the legality of the dropping of […]
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Zuma, Zille flunk the Church vs State test
By Kevin Forster President Zuma’s recent comments suggesting Jesus’s preference for the ANC should not be seen as an analogy taken out of context. It is an attempt to abuse the religious belief of the South African public. If the analogy ended after “when you vote for the ANC, you are also choosing to go […]
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Zuma makes a joke of justice (again)
The rush. The people asking you questions like you’re someone important. The small glass of water for your gentle sipping between questions. The cameras on you. The lights. The news coverage. Is our president addicted to court? I can’t see any other explanation for his decision to once again waste taxpayers’ money on suing someone […]