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Mail & Guardian
william gumedelatest news & developments
Public commentary:  Many analysts are preferred by some media houses because they are dependable in their framing regardless of the issue under discussion, the analytical trajectory is often remarkably similar. Screen shot courtesy of SABC

Political analysts and the dearth of sound public discourse

Whenever a major political development occurs, audiences are often presented with a familiar cast of commentators. A relatively small group of commentators often appears across…

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Photographer: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Budget that did not happen becomes a crisis that should never happen

Analysts say the budget became a cliffhanger because it was written as though the ANC still governed on its own

ANC debate: Documents reveal a party filled with tensions

South Africa and Namibia: Why liberation movements fail when they come to power

The ruling elites have demonstrated that they are less interested in democracy than they are in pursuing self interests and the retention of power

Public enterprises minister, Pravin Gordhan. File photo by Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

SOE holding company: Mission-led or mission impossible?

Reforming governance has proved to be a Sisyphean task. If done right, a new state holding company could be the final push

Moonshot

Can coalitions stabilise the economy?

With the right amount of planning, political coalitions can work – and even create the environment for better economic solutions

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan proposed that state-owned entities transfer to a government-controlled holding firm. (Bongiwe Gumede/Gallo Images)

ANC resolution may stall Gordhan’s SOE plan

The ruling party’s economic transformation head Mmamokolo Kubayi said the resolution for state entities to be moved to line ministries remained intact

Battle: Sibongile Vilakazi, former chair of the development agency, has clashed with MEC Tasneem Motara. Photo: Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images

MEC’s iron fist flattens governance at Gauteng economic agencies

Tasneem Motara has dissolved two boards in as many months, leaving the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency and the Gauteng Gambling Board virtually rudderless

Trade, industry and competition minister Ebrahim Patel says the hope is that the next administration will be left with a well-organised, combined department, “that is not simply one plus one, but is a little bit more than that”. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)

What is hamstringing SA’s industrial growth?

Implementing the country’s many masterplans demands capacity and focus from a department that has been pulled in different directions

Brought to book: Students started protesting against tertiary education fees in 2015 with the Fees Must Fall movement. Nsfas funding still fails to cover the so-called missing middle students. Photo: Michele Spatari/AFP

University funding crisis: Economy crumbling under weighty student debt

Student debt is growing quickly and, if something doesn’t change, it could jeopardise the country’s already struggling economy

SONA2022: What comes first Mr President? The country, or the ANC?

Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung Southern Africa’s Rebone Tau and professor William Gumede talk to M&G about SONA 2022

Covid patrol: Soldiers with a homeless person in Yeoville, Johannesburg. The military health services plan to reinforce, regroup and strengthen its medical capacity in the wake of Covid-19. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

South Africa’s military is not suited for the fight against Covid-19. Here’s why

SANDF has been trained and equipped for precisely the opposite of what President Cyril Ramaphosa has asked of it – to save lives. Its purpose is to defend the country and its…

President Jacob Zuma has come under fire for not heeding his own call for a pay freeze.

Rise in ANC members in KZN a major boost for Zuma

While an increase in members in KZN may boost Zuma’s hopes for a second term, it may also make governing the party and the country very difficult.

Political analyst Stephen Friedman said Marikana should be a warning to Cosatu.

Shadow of Marikana hangs over Cosatu congress

Analysts are predicting that events at Lonmin’s mine in Marikana will heavily influence next week’s Cosatu national congress.

Writers: Penned in or breaking out?

Writers: Penned in or breaking out?

This year has particular significance for Africa’s connection with the written word. Percy Zvomuya reports.

Africas Wasted Years

Ruined by liberation aristocrats

Africa’s potential is curbed by the focus on personalities rather than policies, William Gumede tells Percy Zvomuya.

Political books go pop

South Africans search for bookish answers in a time of political doubt, writes Nosimilo Ndlovu.

Analysis paralysis?

Teenagers are notorious for giving their parents a hard time — so apparently are countries.

Buthelezi: Gender equality a priority for IFP

The Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) commitment to gender equality has never been tokenistic and remains a genuine priority, said party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Saturday.…

Ramaphosa joins ANC leadership race

Businessman Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the African National Congress (ANC) presidential succession race, according to weekend media reports. The ANC’s powerful OR Tambo district…