Real Politics: the rise of South Africa’s political middlemen
Coalitions have opened a back-room market where unelected negotiators and donors lobby over who runs South Africa’s cities…
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Treasury draws a line on failing municipalities
Treasury freezes July funding to 69 municipalities, including Joburg, in its toughest push yet for fiscal discipline…
Real Politics: as new DA leader, Hill-Lewis faces an old dilemma
Geordin Hill-Lewis leads the DA at a pivotal moment. Can he turn anti-ANC anger into DA votes where his predecessors couldn’t?…
Real Politics: Vaal result shows voters are harder to keep
A by-election in Emfuleni, in which the DA seized control of an ANC stronghold, is evidence that voters are demanding delivery over loyalty or…
Masuku in Wonderland over Joburg’s crisis
The metro has finally released its annual financial statements for 2024/25. They’re no pretty picture…
Who wants to be Joburg mayor?
Joburg is failing badly. A new mayor needs to come to the party with a crack plan to turn things around…
Real Politics: voters want service delivery, not ideology
Zille’s Joburg campaign is a bet that voters want working taps and lit streets – not foreign-policy fights. The 2026 local polls will test…
Real Politics: how much longer can MK lean on Zuma’s charm?
Zuma remains the MK’s biggest asset, but endless internal shuffles and weak structures may limit its reach in the 2026 municipal elections.…
Real Politics: identity politics threatens DA’s Western Cape grip
PA wins by-elections in George and may flip Saldanha Bay as identity politics threatens to end DA dominance in its Western Cape stronghold…
Local polls, the GNU and Trump shocks: politics in 2026
Local government elections, a DA electoral conference, the all-important annual budget and global headwinds. Here’s your political year ahead…
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Beneficiation is not a spell
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Africa is blockchain’s most mispriced market
Africa is generating record blockchain deal activity, but its share…
US, Iran trade claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
US and Iran have each asserted that they control the…
De Beers mothballs Venetia as diamond crisis deepens
The decision comes at an awful time for Anglo CEO…
