Vol 54 No 25 | SOUTH AFRICA The time of Mandela 6th December 2013 People are together on the streets as they were in the 1994 liberation elections but this time, to celebrate the life of their globally venerated leader Nelson Mandela's face appeared magisterially on a tableau draped over the front of the Elysée Palace as African leaders and European bureaucrats walked across the courtyard for the...
Vol 54 No 23 | NIGERIASOUTH AFRICA Economic giants change places 14th November 2013 New trends in trade and finance will change political as well as economic ties on the continent In the coming weeks, some statisticians in Abuja could shake up Africa’s economic and diplomatic hierarchy. The boffins look set to chart the rise of Nigeria’s economy to... READ FOR FREE
Vol 54 No 23 | SOUTH AFRICA Self-inflicted wounds 14th November 2013 Many of South Africa’s difficulties are primarily internal, caused by policy paralysis and the governing African National Congress (ANC)’s intense disputes with its partners in organised labour. A...
Vol 54 No 20 | SOUTH AFRICA Political mould starts to break 3rd October 2013 The poorest people and the middle class are voicing growing doubts about the ANC – even though its rivals don’t look much more convincing The African National Congress approaches elections next April-May – and the 20th anniversary of majority rule – with party and country alike in poor shape. Social and economic...
Vol 54 No 20 | SOUTH AFRICA How the parties will go into 2014 3rd October 2013 If the Economic Freedom Fighters took just 5% of the national vote, that could be a significant and lasting breakthrough None of the opposition parties can seriously challenge the African National Congress for power at the centre in the next elections but growing political volatility gives them opportunities...
Vol 54 No 20 | SOUTH AFRICA Coming to the aid of the party 3rd October 2013 In New York, President Zuma sings Happy Birthday to ANC Chairwoman Baleka Mbete, who is currently at the centre of a major political row On the evening of 24 September in New York, President Jacob Zuma was in high spirits. Earlier that day, he had addressed the United Nations General Assembly debate...
Vol 54 No 17 | SOUTH AFRICA Sexual congress 22nd August 2013 The suspension of Congress of South African Trade Unions Secretary General Zwelinzima Vavi on 14 August, after he admitted to sexual misconduct with a Cosatu employee in his...
Vol 54 No 16 | SOUTH AFRICA Tilting at the ANC 30th July 2013 The EFF seeks to appeal to leftists disappointed by the ANC. Its main impact for now will be on the ANC’s internal politics The deposed leader of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) has staked a claim to political space well to the left of the governing party. Julius Malema...
Vol 54 No 15 | SOUTH AFRICA Zuma's axe falls 18th July 2013 The pace of President Jacob Zuma’s cull of his opponents in the African National Congress is picking up as he lays the groundwork for next year’s general elections...
Vol 54 No 9 | CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLICSOUTH AFRICA Pleas to go 26th April 2013 President Jacob Zuma puzzled his central African interlocutors and CAR politicians by claiming they had made a ‘passionate plea’ for South African troops to return to the troubled...