South Africa’s National Treasury now proposes to reduce salaries. On the face of it this seems sensible. But the fundamental issue is the structure of the public service.
Articles on Cyril Ramaphosa
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While restrictions on civil and political liberties may be necessary to protect lives, human rights law requires that they go no further than what’s strictly necessary to achieve this goal.
The bigger parties which contest elections at all three levels would benefit the most – but voters might split their votes.
The government was initially praised for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic but powerful interests could now be pushing its containment plans off course
President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised inclusive decision-making informed by scientific evidence. Such an approach would serve to depoliticise and rationalise decision-making.
South Africa’s lockdown rules started with high legitimacy. But it has been eroded and has now dissolved.
South Africa’s post-apartheid leaders have failed to properly prepare the military for secondary roles such as peacekeeping, let alone to a fight a virus.
Ramaphosa’s call for a new social compact will fall on deaf ears unless there are some fundamental changes to the way in which the pandemic is being managed.
Power is visibly draining away from Tom Thabane. But, even at 80 years old, he remains a wily operator, and seems determined to cause maximum trouble to secure his immunity from prosecution.
Borders in southern Africa – as on the entire continent – were arbitrarily imposed by former colonial powers, and aren’t respected.
The clock is ticking: in the absence of government support, not being able to work means waste reclaimers don’t have money to buy food.
To support precarious households that can’t access existing relief during lockdown and its aftermath, the government should implement a temporary increase in the value of the child support grant.
The notion that there is a binary choice between the economy and the medically optimal strategy is wrong.
Already, we have seen a range of responses globally - from countries that apparently reacted too late, to those who acted relatively early.
Reactions in South Africa give little reason for hope that the virus will bring people closer together or trigger more energetic action against poverty.
President Ramaphosa’s emphasis on fighting crime is well placed. Most categories of violent crimes have risen dramatically over the past eight years.
President Ramaphosa’s state of the nation speech showed his preference for less contentious matters that attract praise, rather than catalytic decisions.
The challenge to deliver a persuasive speech comes firstly in the context of intense doubts as to whether President Ramaphosa is truly in charge of the ANC.
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.
The deluge of opinions and proposed solutions to South Africa’s energy crisis reflects corporate and political interests.
Top contributors
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Professor of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of Political Studies, University of Johannesburg
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Professor in Political Science, University of South Africa
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Political Scientist, University of the Western Cape
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Emeritus Associate Professor in Public Law, UCT. Visiting Adjunct Professor, WITS School of Governance; Director, Africa Programme, University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge
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Professor of Public Affairs, Tshwane University of Technology
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Visiting Professor at the Business School, University of the Witwatersrand
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Senior Research Associate, University of Johannesburg
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Visiting Professor and Professor Emeritus, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of Urban Governance, University of the Witwatersrand
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Honorary Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand
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Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies, Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, University of South Africa
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Criminologist / Senior Lecturer, Stellenbosch University
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Associate professor, University of Cape Town
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Professor of Digital Society, University of Glasgow