South Africa’s political terrain has always had its fair share of critics — some well-meaning, others just bitter and bored. But it is the latter, masquerading as analysts, that have now become the loudest prophets of doom. Chief among them is Moeletsi Mbeki — the permanent pessimist, the serial slanderer, the man who has not met a Black President he would not crucify to satisfy his personal bitterness. Let us not forget: Moeletsi was the same man who cartoonishly predicted…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to jet off to the USA next week to meet with President Donald Trump in a bid to iron out a range of issues in the wake of a major diplomatic fallout between the two nations. According to the Presidency, Ramaphosa’s four-day official visit will take place between 19 and 22 May this year. “President Cyril Ramaphosa will embark on a working visit to the United States of America from 19 – 22…

ANC stalwart and former Chief Whip Tony Yengeni has come out to clarify that he is not joining the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party as widely alleged in a screenshot doing the rounds on social media and WhatsApp groups. The vocal Yengeni, who represented MKP leader and former President Jacob Zuma during his disciplinary hearing by the ANC, said the fake poster took words from a statement he made a few years ago about the MK, the military veterans of the…

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the former Deputy Minister of Finance, Mcebisi Jonas, as his special envoy to the US. The appointment of Jonas, who was also one of the whistleblowers that led to the establishment of the state capture commission, was announced by Ramaphosa today, 14 April 2025. The appointment comes as the relationship between South Africa and the US is at an all time low following last month’s expulsion of former ambassador Ibrahim Rasool “. This…

In a bold display of independence that is rattling traditional diplomatic circles, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has signaled a clear break with the United States, a move that has not only shocked Washington but also redefined the nation’s foreign policy.  This weekend, Washington expelled Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, giving him just 72 hours to leave the country, according to BBC reports. While Washington’s abrupt action might have been intended to assert American influence, it instead exposed the widening gulf between…

The Balobedu Traditional leaders, backing Prince Lekukela Hex Modjadji, have marched against the recognition of Queen Masalanabo by the government, as the next heir to the Modjadji dynasty. They took their displeasure to the Union Buildings in the capital Pretoria on Thursday, March 13 as Prince Lekukela filed court papers to challenge the South African government’s decision. Last year December, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially recognised Queen Masanalabo as a legitimate successor to her mother Makobo Modjadi VI, who died in…

Despite opposition from many quarters, including most opposition parties within the government of National Unity (GNU), the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana has announced a value-added tax (VAT) increase of 0.5 percentage point.  Godongwana announced the increase a short while ago while delivering the 2025-2026 budget in Cape Town today, March 12. He said there are several persistent spending pressures in health, education, transport and security. According to the South African finance minister, these have to do with the government…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa opened a meeting of finance ministers and heads of central banks (CBs) of the Group of Twenty (G20) states in Cape Town on 26 February. This is reported by the website of the South African Government. In his speech, the Head of State recalled that one of the key priorities of the South African presidency of the G20 is the adoption of measures to strengthen resilience to natural disasters. “The global community – including international…

Mphaphuli Consulting’s efforts to prevent the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) from recovering R76 million from a Limpopo municipality overpaid for electricity services have been dealt a severe blow.   The Constitutional Court has refused the engineering company direct access to apply for the reviewing and setting aside of the SIU report, which found Mphaphuli Consulting had overcharged the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality when it electrified Sekhukhune villages in 2013 as part of a transversal contract. The Apex Court’s ruling essentially prevents…

The G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting kicked off in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 20 February. Fifteen Foreign Ministers and four Deputy Foreign Ministers arrived for the meeting. The event was opened by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He emphasised that the G20 leaders’ summit will be held in Africa for the first time, which stresses the growing importance of the continent in global economic, political, and environmental discussions. The South African leader noted that countries need to achieve the UN Sustainable…