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Cape Town deserves a Council that is functional, transparent, and accountable. Instead, yesterday’s sitting revealed a shocking failure of governance. 50 councillors’ votes simply vanished during one of the most important decisions on the agenda.
The post CAPE TOWN COUNCIL: DEMOCRACY UNDERMINED BY ONLINE PLATFORM AS 50 COUNCILLORS’ VOTES GO MISSING appeared first on For Good.
The GOOD Party has formally submitted a Motion of No Confidence in Cape Town Speaker, Alderman Felicity Purchase, in terms of Rule 18 of the Rules of Order Regulating Council Meetings, Section 160(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and Sections 36 to 40 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998).
The post CAPE TOWN COUNCIL SPEAKER MUST GO, GOOD TABLES MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE appeared first on For Good.
Working class communities in South Africa are continuing the tradition of shutting down their neighbourhood in protest against high electricity prices.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) supported a motion of no confidence in the ANC Mayor, Dada Morero, during a Johannesburg Metro Council meeting. One of the reasons the Freedom Front Plus backed the motion is that the Mayor and the Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Margaret Arnolds, failed to consider the party’s proposal for […]
The post Freedom Front Plus supports motion of no confidence in Johannesburg Mayor appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
GOOD Statement by Chad Davids,GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor 27 June 2025 The amendments to the City of Cape Town’s Municipal Planning By-Law (MPBL) and its annexed zoning map represent an apartheid spatial planner’s dream. During a special sitting of Council yesterday, several amendments to the MPBL were approved. The GOOD Party in the […]
The post CAPE TOWN’S PLANNING AMENDMENTS ECHO APARTHEID-ERA THINKING appeared first on For Good.
Rot set in straight after the 2021 local government elections
African Leadership Magazine (www.AfricanLeadershipMagazine.co.uk) proudly unveils the distinguished list of nominees for the 17 categories of the 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA)—a premier recognition platform celebrating excellence in corporate governance, impactful leadership, and trailblazing contributions to the growth and sustainability of Africa's dynamic business and economic ecosystem. The public voting process is now officially open and will run until 29 May 2025, offering stakeholders across Africa and the globe the opportunity to celebrate and affirm exemplary leadership in the African business space.
The ongoing public voting marks the third phase in a rigorous four-step, points-based selection process for the African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA). The process begins with open nominations, followed by a shortlist of top contenders curated by the African Leadership Magazine editorial board. In this third phase, the public is invited to vote, adding stakeholder voices to the evaluation process. The final stage involves a detailed editorial assessment of votes and supporting evidence to determine winners, ensuring a transparent, merit-based outcome that reflects both public sentiment and proven impact.
Public votes in this phase contribute 65% of the final decision, with the remaining 35% based on supporting evidence for each nominee. This ensures a fair and credible process that values both public opinion and verifiable impact. Winners and first runners-up will be honoured at the 15th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA), a special highlight of the Africa Summit–London, scheduled for 9–10 July 2025 at the House of Lords, London, United Kingdom.
To cast your vote, visit:
The 2025 African Business Leadership Awards (BLA Nominee Highlights
African Business Leader of the Year
African Female Business Leader of the Year
African Regulator of the Year
Business-Friendly Governor of the Year
African Finance Minister of the Year
Trade & Investment Promotion Agency of the Year
Central Bank Governor of the Year
Trade & Investment Minister of the Year
African CEO of the Year
Young Business Leader of the Year
Africa CSR & Community Development Impact Award
African Brand of the Year
African Company of the Year
Industry Personality of the Year
Africa Business Integrity Leader Award
African Tech & Digital Economy Leader of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Leadership Magazine.
Media Enquiries:
Ehis Ayere
T: +44 (0) 20 3051 1883
E: ehis@africanleadership.co.uk
About African Leadership Magazine:
African Leadership Magazine is the flagship publication of the African Leadership Organisation (UK) Limited. For over 19 years, it has championed impactful leadership across Africa and amplified African opportunities on the global stage. Through its platforms—including Afro-positive content, trade facilitation, market entry solutions, public sector consulting, and business networking events—the magazine plays a pivotal role in fostering sustainable development and positive change across the continent.
The South African ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, is no longer welcome in the US, several news publications reported on Saturday. The Guardian states: “South Africa’s ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country,” [US Secretary of State Marco] Rubio posted on X on Friday. Rubio accused ambassador …
IEC CEO calls for responsible, inclusive approach to e-voting in South Africa
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, has underscored the need for a responsible and inclusive approach to adopting new voting technologies.
The CEO was delivering remarks at the e-Voting Conference in Cape Town on Monday. The IEC is hosting a groundbreaking national dialogue on the future of voting in South Africa from 10 - 12 March 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
This three-day conference will launch South Africa's first Green Paper on e-Voting, bringing together voices from across society to shape how South Africans might vote in future elections.
“While digitalisation is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives, we must acknowledge that some portions of our country continue to have limited access to broadband connectivity, particularly in rural areas. In our discussion here, let us not be oblivious that a significant number of South Africans still have limited access to technology.
“Having said so, it is evident that the adoption of new technologies is apposite and necessary. We cannot be oblivious to the ever-present force that drives innovation and exposes us to new possibilities,” Mamabolo said.
The conference, which seeks to shape public policy on e-voting, comes at a time when South Africa is undergoing a digital transformation across various sectors. The Vision 2030 roadmap of South Africa emphasises incorporating technology into business, education and governance.
The country's burgeoning digital ecosystem is distinguished by developments in technology infrastructure driven by public and private sector partnerships.
Mamabolo said the rapid growth of data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure has transformed how most industries do business today and how ordinary folk converse.
Global and African E-Voting Experiences
The CEO highlighted that countries such as Estonia, Switzerland, Brazil and India have implemented or tested e-voting systems, while others have paused or abandoned such initiatives due to concerns related to security, costs and reliability.
In Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have explored e-voting, but challenges have hindered widespread implementation.
Mamabolo noted that some of the common delays or factors halting the implementation of e-voting in many countries are largely related to security concerns and affordability.
As a result, many countries have focused on digitalising aspects of the voting process (such as registration or information access) rather than implementing full-scale electronic voting systems and related technologies for their elections.
“As much as the prospects for experimenting with e-voting systems and technologies can be exciting, we must also approach it with open minds and a sense of responsibility.
“At the forefront of these challenges are questions of security and trust. We remain committed to our mandate to deliver uncompromised elections with utmost integrity, impartiality and accountability,” he said.
Addressing security concerns and digital divide
Mamabolo further stressed that in an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent, ensuring the safety and security of an electronic voting system is paramount.
“We must build systems that are resilient, secure, and able to withstand the threats of today and the future,” he said.
Moreover, he urged that the digital divide must be urgently addressed.
“As we indicate, South Africa is a country with varying levels of technological access. While urban areas may have reliable internet and a high rate of technological literacy, rural communities, and impoverished areas still face significant barriers to digital inclusion,” the CEO said.
IEC's Preparedness and Public Engagement
The IEC has already integrated technology into its processes through initiatives such as an online voter registration system, which allows citizens to register or update their details remotely.
“The Electoral Commission is already ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing the advent of technology. The Commission has implemented an online voter registration system that enables new voters to register and existing voters to update or alter their registration from the comfort of their own homes or anywhere. This online registration portal is not constrained by time and space,” the CEO said.
The commission believes that engaging with the public and key stakeholders is essential to ensuring that any transition to e-voting is both transparent and widely accepted.
“As the Commission, we encourage conversations, discussions, and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life on this matter, as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently. Such national conversation is essential because elections are a public enterprise that belong to all citizens of our country,” he said.
Prior work conducted on e-voting
As part of its commitment to facilitating informed decision-making, Mamabolo said the Commission always had e-voting in its line of sight, with electronic voting discussions having commenced back in 2013.
The Electoral Commission has carried out several investigations into this subject, aiming to learn from the global experiences of countries that have either successfully or unsuccessfully tried to implement e-voting.
It has explored issues such as available technologies, costs, security/reliability, public trust, existing tech infrastructure in SA and policy options, among others.
It has identified the need for thorough public dialogue/discussions on the feasibility/potential benefits and risks.
The IEC has compiled a Discussion Document based on findings from its 2023 research study on electronic voting, which explored prospects and potential challenges for e-voting in SA.
“The way forward for e-voting to be a viable solution [is that] it must be accessible to all South Africans regardless of their location or socio-economic status. That is why our discussions here must be comprehensive, aiming to address all blind spots and ultimately provide fit-for-purpose solutions for all South Africans,” Mamabolo said.
Looking ahead
The IEC has not yet determined whether e-voting will be proposed to Parliament but aims to lead a comprehensive discussion on its feasibility.
To this end, the commission will launch a series of nationwide workshops and public consultations, gathering insights from citizens and stakeholders. Mamabolo said the feedback will be used to refine the Discussion Document, which could eventually inform a National Green Paper on e-voting.
South Africans are encouraged to participate in the conversation through various platforms, including email submissions, social media engagements, and public discussions.
The public can review the discussion document and provide informed commentary to info@elections.org.za. You can also share your views and experiences through the IEC’s social media @IECSouthAfrica using the #SAeVoting2025. - SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 03/10/2025 - 13:31
232 views
Commission opens dialogue on viability of electronic voting in SA
The Electoral Commission is expected to start a public conversation about the prospect of electronic voting, or e-voting, during South African elections.
To launch the public debate and discussion on the subject, the commission will host a three-day e-voting conference in Cape Town from 10-12 March 2024.
This conference will serve as a pivotal platform for initiating a public conversation about the possibility of introducing electronic voting sometime in the future.
The conference is based on research commissioned by the Commission and undertaken by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
The research study produced a discussion document which navigates all crucial aspects related to electronic voting and implications for South Africa. The discussion document will be launched at the conference.
The key components of the discussion documents include the following:
• A country review of electronic voting including those countries currently using poll-site technologies as well as those who use internet voting. This includes countries that introduced electronic voting but subsequently abandoned it.
• Key insights from the legislative review indicate that in the event electronic voting is adopted then there would a necessity for legislative amendments.
• Lessons from two roundtables, which were conducted with academics and representatives of blind persons.
• Lessons from key informant interviews that were conducted with civil society organisations and election management bodies.
• Views which were solicited through a public opinion survey.
• An overall outline of the findings of the studies conducted.
IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo said the conference will serve as a significant opportunity for South Africans to shape the future of voting in the digital world.
“It is part of the statutory purview of the commission to conduct research with a view to improving the quality of elections. We must investigate new approaches to improve the electoral process, voter experience, accessibility and enable cost savings," Mamabolo said.
“Some of the research findings indicate that there is no common understanding of what e-voting entails. This conference aims not only to reflect on possibilities for implementing e-voting but also to drive common understanding and knowledge of the subject among South Africans.
“We encourage further conversations and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently,” he said.
The conference will bring together political parties, members of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, corporates in the ICT sphere, government officials, research and development institutions.
Representatives of some countries which have implemented electronic voting are also confirmed for participation in this conference. This includes Estonia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Namibia.
Telecommunications and network connectivity service providers will share current and future developments in the digital ecosystem space.
Furthermore, the conference will include an expo where technology companies will display and demonstrate some of the available e-voting technologies and provide participants with a sense of how these technologies can be intuitively operated.
After the launch of the discussion document at the conference, it will be posted on the Electoral Commission digital platforms including on the website. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Wed, 03/05/2025 - 12:34
85 views
Residents from Dutywa informal settlements dating back to the 1990s demand services and houses
Anant Singh appointed to WEF Global Arts and Culture Council
South African film producer, Anant Singh, has been appointed to the Global Arts and Culture Council (GACC).
This, at the GACC's inaugural meeting held at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
The GACC was established in the context of the shifting world from an industrial era to a more intelligent and interconnected society, where the arts and culture sector is uniquely positioned to lead the way toward a unified and prosperous future.
In this moment of transformation, the GACC was launched with a distinguished group of visionary cultural leaders committed to harnessing creativity to shape the new age.
“Artists and the creative community around the world are the voice of the people and the custodians of humanity’s storytelling. The Global Arts and Culture Council is vitally important in a fractious world where the voice and expressions of artists need to be heard in order to contribute to the dialogues of the journeys of millions of people.
“It was also a pleasure to attend the first plenary session of President Cyril Ramaphosa where he addressed the delegates in advance of the G20 Summit in South Africa in November. The G20 Summit presents an exceptional opportunity for us to showcase our remarkable country and its people to the world,” Videovision Entertainment said on Monday.
On 23 January, Singh participated in a panel entitled “An Artist’s Path Out of Injustice”.
Singh is known for using the medium of film to speak out against the injustices of apartheid as well as significant social issues like HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.
This year marks Singh’s 25th consecutive attendance of the Annual Meeting since receiving the WEF’s Crystal Award in 2001. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Mon, 01/27/2025 - 11:47
South Africa calls for calm amid post-election tensions in Mozambique
South Africa has reiterated its call for calm and restraint following post-election protests in Mozambique.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, told a media briefing on Tuesday, that on 6 November 2024, he had spoken with his Mozambican counterpart, Minister Verónica Macamo, and discussed the current security situation in Mozambique following the recent general elections.
“South Africa expresses concern at the outbreak of incidents of post-electoral violence and regrets the loss of lives and destruction of property. We once again reiterate the call made by various leaders in Mozambique to the law enforcement agencies to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice speedily.
“We reiterate our calls for calm and restraint, to allow the electoral process to conclude successfully, and to give the Constitutional Court of Mozambique time and space to address the concerns raised by all parties and validate the election results in accordance with its mandate,” Lamola said.
As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa played a key role in the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM), which monitored Mozambique’s presidential, legislative, and provincial elections on 9 October 2024.
The SEOM, led by former President of Zanzibar, Dr Amani Abeid Karume, was composed of 53 observers from 10 SADC countries.
A total of 17 169 239 Mozambicans were registered to vote, including 333 839 in the diaspora, yet only 7464,822 turned out on election day, yielding a voter turnout of 43%.
In a preliminary statement, Dr Karume noted the late amendment to Mozambique's Electoral Law, which impacted voter education.
Despite this, the SEOM Preliminary Statement concluded that, “the SEOM observed that the pre-election and voting phases of the 2024 Presidential, Legislative, and Provincial Elections were professionally organized, conducted in an orderly, peaceful, and free atmosphere”.
The Preliminary Statement further identified areas for improvement following the Mozambican elections.
Following the announcement of the preliminary results, President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need for calm, urging respect for legal procedures in resolving election disputes.
“South Africa, therefore, believes that the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections remain the viable set of norms to support the delivery of regular, free, fair, and credible elections in the SADC Member States,” the Minister said.
Looking ahead, South Africa welcomes the upcoming SADC Extraordinary Organ Troika Summit and SADC Extraordinary Summit on November 20, 2024, in Zimbabwe.
These meetings, preceded by sessions of senior officials and ministers starting on 15 November, will focus on recent political developments in the region, including elections in Mozambique, Botswana and Mauritius. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Wed, 11/13/2024 - 10:33
In a world often divided by differences, the Sounds of Celebration concert stands as a testament to the power of music to unite and inspire. This extraordinary event, featuring a diverse array of talented musicians from across South Africa, will take place on 10th September at the WITS Linder Auditorium. The concert will feature a …
Eager to learn who’ll be the best of the best? That decision is up to you… Between now and midnight on 11 September 2024, you can cast your vote for your favourite store or restaurant in the V&A Waterfront People’s Choice Awards. By doing so, you could win a R3 500 V&A voucher to celebrate …
An impressive 21 used car searches took place every second in South Africa during the first half of 2024. This is one of many fascinating insights to emerge from the 2024 AutoTrader Mid-Year Car Industry Report. The theme of this year’s report is #RethinkAutoSales, and – as George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, explains – traditional …
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has raised concerns about the insufficient attention to complaints it has made to the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) about municipal demarcation and ward delimitation processes and decisions. The committee this week conducted a two-day workshop for its members where the Department of COGTA and its entities presented information about their work methods.
During the presentation about the MDB's progress towards implementing its 2020 – 2025 strategic plan, the MDB said that to ensure well-defined municipal spaces, 4 468 wards were delimited for the 2021 local government elections and the municipal boundary redetermination process was concluded in March 2024. The board also said that it conducted 52 education and awareness consultations and 213 technical consultations on ward delimitation. These processes are undertaken ahead of local government elections, to determine the number of voters in a ward and the number of councillors in each municipality based on a gazetted formula that guides the Board.
The committee raised public concerns about the frequency of the delimitation, involving the shifting of voters and relocation of voting districts to different wards and its impact on the stability of communities. The committee highlighted ineffective communication and inadequate consultation with affected communities.
The board also raised the challenge of budgetary constraints, which limit its ability to conduct consultations directly with the affected communities, causing it to rely on the various municipalities for communication with affected communities. The committee urged the board to relook at this matter since communities complain about lack of consultation, and this affects the acceptability and legitimacy of the board's decisions.
Lack of attention to issues, such as when a community is living harmoniously together in a culturally and socially cohesive unit but has been demarcated into separate wards, leading to fractured social structure, unequal development due to one neighbour receiving better municipal services than the other because they belong to different wards despite their close proximity, poses risks to the MDB's credibility. There were instances cited where communities living under one traditional authority were divided in a manner that made daily lives harder, voting districts relocated to parts that were much further away from centres of social amenities, coherent communities divided into different districts and farms divided across different provinces.
The committee also believes that ward delimitation decisions that do not take sufficient account of geographical barriers, such as mountains, and transport routes create an impression that authorities are insensitive to the concerns of the public. A specific concern was raised regarding specific wards in the Northern Cape province that are vast with a radius of up to 120km as being problematic and unworkable, desiring to be given reconsideration.
The committee does not accept the board's emphasis on rigid compliance with pre-determined formulae when these are causing frustration, confusion, conflict and instability in an otherwise settled and stable community. The committee urged the MDB to review its approach, consider the formula's impact and revert to the committee with a considered view. The committee will also be engaging with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on this matter.
The committee further expressed interest in the extent to which politics has influenced recent demarcation decisions, noting that in the early years of the country's democracy, demarcation was used to achieve legitimate political ends, such as the economic development of previously marginalised areas. The committee noted that the sustainability, economic viability and impact of recent municipal amalgamations on the lives of affected communities are matters of concern across all political lines. This is particularly pertinent considering the findings made by the South African Local Government Association to the effect that over 70 percent of the municipal amalgamations formed in the wake of the 2016 local government elections have not achieved their intended purpose.
The committee is also concerned about the non-viability of some amalgamated municipalities as a result of political considerations and assumptions, which have failed to yield the expected benefits, such as raising revenue for their communities. There are a number of municipalities that are not viable, even after they are amalgamated with others, and this raises the issue of reviewing funding of municipalities, which the committee will look at and discuss with the relevant Minister. The committee believes that discussions in this area are necessary in order to strengthen the local government system.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
To bring this new activation to life, World Champion and net-zero racing team Envision Racing, the greenest team on the grid of the world’s greenest motorsport championship, joins forces with Cartoon Network EMEA, Warner Bros. Discovery’s animated series network, to engage children in the race against climate change. Part of the Cartoon Network Climate Champions …
The Beach Palace Ramsgate, a luxurious 5-star guesthouse with stunning views over the Indian Ocean, has been nominated for the prestigious Golden Tree International Travel Award, representing South Africa on the global stage. This nomination is a testament to The Beach Palace’s commitment to excellence, sustainability, and unparalleled guest experiences. As a premier guesthouse, The …
At the water’s edge, where visitors from near and far gather for an unparalleled retail experience, public opinion is paramount. The V&A Waterfront would not be the inclusive, accessible neighbourhood it is without the support of its visitors, which is why this year’s new Neighbourhood Retail Tenant Awards are turning to the people who matter …
City Power technicians removed over 18,000 kilogrammes of illegal wiring on Wednesday. But minutes after they left, people were seen making new electricity connections
Cartoon Network Africa, the leading kids’ TV channel in South Africa, is partnering with the local E-Waste Recycling Authority (ERA) as part of its Climate Champions initiative. The collaboration aims to educate and empower children about the increasing challenge of electronic waste. As a registered Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), ERA is dedicated to improving e-waste …
Afrika Tikkun calls for the Government of National Unity to ensure accountability and serve national interests. 03 July 2024, Johannesburg, South Africa: – Responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet announcement, South Africans are demanding that the newly established historic coalition government must close the door on exploitation, delivering tangible change to a nation crippled by …
GNU: A new era for SA
As the new Cabinet of the seventh administration gets to grips with the workings of their various portfolios - it has been advised to place ordinary South Africans at the heart of the administration.
“Show the ordinary South Africans that their well-being is the ultimate goal and at the heart of those running government and the administration,” Extraordinary Professor at the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pretoria, Henning Melber, told SAnews.
Melber’s comments follow on the announcement on Sunday, 30 June 2024, of the new National Executive of the seventh administration by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The much-anticipated announcement is the result of the National and Provincial Elections that were held on 29 May. For the first time in democratic South Africa’s history, that election did not result in an outright majority for a single party to lead the country for the next five years.
The will of the people
In those initial days following from the point where voting took place, up to the announcement of the results, ordinary citizens were wondering what would happen next. After all, we were accustomed to living in a country that since the advent of democracy, was led by a single majority party.
However, from the hotly contested elections themselves to the announcement of the election results, peace was the order of the day. This also extended to the period of the swearing in of Members of Parliament (MPs) and other MPs at a later stage, as well as the election of National Assembly (NA) Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane. The election and inauguration of Cyril Ramaphosa as President and head of government of the seventh administration was also peaceful.
An acceptance of the will of the people at the ballot box also played an important part in where the country finds itself today with the seventh administration’s Government of National Unity (GNU) starting to take shape.
This GNU, however, differs from the one that South Africa had, following the seminal elections of 1994 that saw the African National Congress (ANC) go into a GNU with two other political parties, despite having won an outright majority. The current GNU comprises 11parties across the political spectrum.
These parties are: the African National Congress (ANC), Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Good Party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Freedom Front Plus, United Democratic Movement, Al Jama-ah, Rise Mzansi and the United Africans Transformation.
Collaboration
In an interview with SAnews, Melber further advised parties involved in the GNU to “collaborate with members of other parties based on trust; seeking to improve efficiency in service delivery.”
With this rather eventful week drawing to a close, South Africans not only witnessed the announcement of the new Cabinet, but also the swearing in of the new executive, including Deputy President Paul Mashatile as well as the induction programme of new MPS in the Western Cape.
And yes, it did take some time to get to where we are now as a country, but we must remember that Rome was not built in a day.
In his address to the nation on Sunday, President Ramaphosa acknowledged the length of time it took to put together the administration.
Confidence vs Time
However, Melber points out that given the different elements at play, the process in truth did not take too much time.
He said that given the rather unusual, if not complicated blend of parties who needed to secure common ground, and agreeing on an acceptable power sharing arrangement in terms of portfolios -, this process had actually not taken that long.
“And it was a necessary investment in building a minimum degree of confidence and trust as a point of departure. There are democracies who for months (among others The Netherlands, Sweden) if not years (Belgium) had not a proper government and were neither less politically stable. Many observers at least in the Western democracies were hoping for such a power-sharing arrangement and did not expect this to happen much faster. Building a reliable collaboration between political parties so different in their programmes needs time,” Melber explained.
A new era
In his inauguration address on 19 June 2024, President Ramaphosa described the GNU as “the beginning of a new era” adding that it requires a common mission, which is anchored in safeguarding national unity, peace, stability, inclusive economic growth, non-racialism and non-sexism.
Asked about his thoughts on the GNU, Melber said: “Under the given circumstances of the election result, the decision to form a GNU seemed to be a wise and considerate move, aiming to accommodate a broad middle for political stability in a government, in which the ANC remains the major party.”
The announcement of the new Cabinet also came with changes in government departments that involve the merger of the Ministries of Electricity and Energy as well as the announcement of a separate Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. The President also announced the separation of the Ministry of Agriculture from the Ministry of Land Reform and Rural Development, among others.
“This is a necessary adjustment to accommodate divergent interests seeking influence in governance. If in the end - despite some further bloating of the structures - it provides a reliable operational structure to make improvements in delivery - it is a well justified investment,” said the Professor.
South Africa’s future under a GNU is now underway with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni having held the first media briefing of the seventh administration on Thursday, 4 July 2024.
At that briefing, the Minister outlined the process that would be followed to set government’s priorities and programme of action for the seventh administration. These said the Minister, will be articulated in the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), which is normally guided by the election manifesto of the governing party. However, in this case of the GNU, a unique case for government, this will be guided by the election manifestoes of the 11 parties to the GNU.
To give effect to the signed Statement of Intent as signed by parties to the GNU, the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD), chaired by the Director-General in The Presidency, has undertaken the work of analysing the manifestoes of parties to the GNU.
After thorough scrutiny, the Directors-General will then submit a proposal for consideration and adoption at the Cabinet Lekgotla scheduled for 11-12 July.
The two-day Lekgotla will deliberate on the proposals of the Directors-General, after which the programmes and priorities of government will be announced.
“The adopted programme of action (MTSF) will be announced by the President at the Opening of Parliament on Thursday, 18 July 2024. After the adoption of the MTSF, the individual departments will then develop their Strategic Plans linked to the MTSF and Annual Performance Plans for implementation of the MTSF targets,” explained Minister Ntshavheni.
Happiness trajectory
Following the elections and Sunday’s cabinet announcement, South Africa’s happiness trends have been on an upright trajectory.
This is according to the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. The index is the brainchild of Professor Talita Greyling of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Prof Stephanie Rossouw of the Auckland University of Technology, with the technical support of AFSTEREO (Pty) Ltd.
According to UJ, the GNH is the first index of its kind and measures the real-time sentiment of the country.
“The much-anticipated announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the new GNU Cabinet on 30 June 2024 is being experienced positively by the South African people, as shown by the near real-time Happiness Index of the GNH.today project.
“The happiness levels in South Africa have been trending upward since the election results were announced in June 2024, from 5.36 to 5.42,” the university said in a statement.
The GNH.today project measures happiness in near real-time based on specific emotion words used in Google searches.
“The GNU ensures a broad representation and a solid mandate to govern the country, contributing to higher levels of transparency, accountability, and trust in the government. It also explains the higher happiness levels, reflecting hope for a better future,” said the university.
In analysing the positive trend in the happiness index, the team found that positive emotion words used in South Africa increased, such as “hope”, “happiness”, and “joy”.
However, there was an increase in negative emotion words such as “bad” and “afraid”, but with a positive net effect.
“The increase in both positive and negative words is expected as it indicates the debate around the newly appointed cabinet. Different parties criticise the portfolio allocations and the ministers appointed. The increased size of the government is also critiqued. On the other hand, there is relief that the Cabinet was announced after almost a month of negotiations.
“This announcement implies an agreement about power-sharing,” said the university.
Asked about whether he thinks the GNU will stick, Professor Melber is hopeful.
“I’m afraid I have misplaced my crystal ball,” he chirps.
“More seriously [though,] one hopes for the sake of South African citizens that this GNU manages to operate and serve the best interest of the people. If this construction holds, it is a win-win situation for all the parties who were able to compromise for the sake of the people and the country’s stability,” he said. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Fri, 07/05/2024 - 12:54