As the African National Congress (ANC) prepares for its National General Council (NGC) in December, the party faces one of the most consequential moments of introspection since 1994. For party president Cyril Ramaphosa, the gathering is more than an internal review; it is a mid-term test of whether his ambitious “new dawn” reform agenda, unveiled…
read moreOn 9 September, during the quarterly oral question and answer session at the National Assembly, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the members of parliament (MPs) on the state of South Africa’s trade initiatives and strategies post the 30% tariffs imposed on South Africa by the United States. Ramaphosa underscored two critical strategies for enhancing economic resilience:…
read moreRecently a number of multinational corporations, such as ArcelorMittal South Africa, Glencore, Rio Tinto, and Goodyear have announced either exits or large-scale downsizing of their South African operations. While the reasons cited range from global restructuring to sector-specific challenges, common themes emerge: declining profitability in the local market, energy insecurity, infrastructure backlogs, and regulatory uncertainty.…
read moreOn 7 July 2025, the BRICS summit concluded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with 11 countries agreeing on a joint declaration encompassing 126 commitments covering global governance, finance, health, artificial intelligence, and climate change. The summit took place against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump having taken a hostile position against the bloc, firstly…
read moreThe allegations made at a Sunday 6 July 2025 press conference by KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi are nothing short of seismic; a no-holds-barred exposé accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of having ties to corrupt businessmen, meddling in criminal investigations, and suppressing prosecutions. Mkhwanazi claims that the work of the KZN’s Political…
read moreOn 22 May, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, stated that South Africa has submitted a revised framework proposal to the United States (U.S.), focusing on expanding trade and investment relations between the two countries. The proposal includes purchasing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from the US, provisions related to the African Growth and…
read moreOn 20 January, Donald Trump was sworn in for a second term as the U.S. President. In his inaugural address, Trump proclaimed his second term, “the golden age of America,” advocating for a “revolution of common sense” and promising to swiftly enact significant policy reforms that would place the interest of Americans above all others.…
read moreSouth Africa continues to navigate a complex landscape marked by economic challenges, demands for greater social transformation, and shifting political dynamics. As we gear up for the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) by Cyril Ramaphosa on 6 February 2025, there are a few key issues to keep in mind. Economic Overview 1. Growth…
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