Vol 59 No 13 | BOTSWANA Masisi steps out of Khama's shadow 20th June 2018 Sacking a spy chief, ending the alcohol levy and promising to open up the economy, the new President is junking his predecessor's policies As if determined to disavow Ian Khama's description of him as a 'bootlicker', new President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been breaking with the past, pushing more pro-business policies, cracking...
Vol 59 No 12 | ZIMBABWE How to fix a coalition 15th June 2018 With an independent opinion poll forecasting a surprisingly close result, talk of a power-sharing deal gains ground Many questions that could determine the credibility of the national elections, now due on 30 July, remain unresolved in what is set to be the most important vote... READ FOR FREE
Vol 59 No 12 | SOUTH AFRICA The tail that wags the dog 15th June 2018 In KwaZulu-Natal and other key provinces, the ANC’s divisions are deepening ahead of the 2019 elections Making his second appearance in a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) court at a short hearing on 8 June to face 16 charges of fraud and corruption, former President Jacob Zuma...
Vol 59 No 12 | ZAMBIA Squeaking in and cutting back 15th June 2018 The Patriotic Front is crowing over its narrow defeat of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in a by-election in the swing constituency of Chilanga, just outside...
Vol 59 No 11 | ZAMBIA Debt spike threatens reserves 1st June 2018 The uncontrolled borrowing by the Lungu circle is growing too large to cover up Having said it was certain of its figures, Zambia's Ministry of Finance has once again revised its external debt upwards, from US$8.7 billion to $9.1 bn. While its...
Vol 59 No 11 | MOZAMBIQUE An untimely death 1st June 2018 The Renamo leader’s demise is an opportunity for the party to re-invent itself but Frelimo could still abandon reconciliation The opposition Resistencia Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo) is going through a difficult rebalancing act in the wake of the death of its leader, Afonso Dhlakama, on 3 May. In...
Vol 59 No 11 | SOUTH AFRICA This land may be your land 1st June 2018 The President may be carrying all before him, despite resistance from his predecessor, but the land issue could derail him President Cyril Ramaphosa's personal approval ratings are at 76% and his handling of the economy has the nod from 82% of South Africans. The Democratic Alliance leader, Mmusi...
Vol 59 No 11 | SOUTH AFRICA Moyane spoiling for a fight 1st June 2018 Tom Moyane, the controversial former head of the South African Revenue Service, is pushing back against his suspension by President Cyril Ramaphosa by employing some of the country's...
Vol 59 No 10 | ZAMBIA A swirling fog of debt 18th May 2018 The government is suspected of dishonestly reporting its debts, as it chases every last ounce of credit Creditors, investors and the opposition believe President Edgar Lungu's management of national finances is plunging the country into a debt crisis. The Ministry of Finance issues desperate-sounding statements...
Vol 59 No 10 | MALAWI Short walk to freedom 18th May 2018 Lawyers and legal experts are still seeking answers as to why, for the first time in Malawi – and possibly for every legal system based on English common...