The Lead: Tony Leon on the state of the GNU, the DA, and brown envelopes
https://www.news24.com/multimedia/podcasts/podcast-the-lead-tony-leon-on-the-state-of-the-gnu-the-da-and-brown-envelopes-20250806-1023
Missing ambassadors, mounting tariffs: SA leaders fail the perfect storm test GalleryMissing ambassadors, mounting tariffs: SA leaders fail the perfect storm test
African National Congress (ANC), Cabinet, Corruption, Cyril Ramaphosa, Democratic Alliance, EFF, Elections, GNU, Jacob Zuma, John Steenhuisen, Parliament, South African Politics
Missing ambassadors, mounting tariffs: SA leaders fail the perfect storm test
It is a case of every man, woman or party for themselves, and the country buckles in the absence of joined-up government, writes Tony Leon. In Zbig, a new and fascinating biography of the late hardline US National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Edward Luce writes, “figures in senior [government] roles have no time to replenish their stock [...]
Fiddling as Rome burns: Guinea-Bissau on the trade agenda, as Trump’s tariff bomb ticks GalleryFiddling as Rome burns: Guinea-Bissau on the trade agenda, as Trump’s tariff bomb ticks
African National Congress (ANC), American Politics, Democratic Alliance, Donald Trump, International Politics, South African Politics, tariffs, Technology, Trade, World Politics
Fiddling as Rome burns: Guinea-Bissau on the trade agenda, as Trump’s tariff bomb ticks
It is not easy or comfortable dealing with the mercurial US administration, but as the fate of lot of communities in many places in SA will soon realise, it is an obvious necessity, writes Tony Leon. The South African government can, with honour, award itself an OBE – in this case, diplomatic shorthand for “overtaken by [...]
Tony Leon on the GNU, Helen Zille, and the joy of dachshunds GalleryTony Leon on the GNU, Helen Zille, and the joy of dachshunds
African National Congress (ANC), Being There, Cyril Ramaphosa, Democratic Alliance, EFF, Elections, GNU, Helen Zille, Jacob Zuma, John Steenhuisen, South African Politics
Tony Leon on the GNU, Helen Zille, and the joy of dachshunds
https://www.news24.com/weekender/interview-tony-leon-on-the-gnu-helen-zille-and-the-joy-of-dachshunds-20250523-0441
Intieme blik op ’n besonderse loopbaan
https://www.netwerk24.com/netwerk24/kunste/boeke/intieme-blik-op-n-besonderse-loopbaan-20250525
The transformation agenda: Constitutional imperative or selective interpretation? GalleryThe transformation agenda: Constitutional imperative or selective interpretation?
African National Congress (ANC), American Politics, Cyril Ramaphosa, International Politics, South African Politics, Trump, World Politics
The transformation agenda: Constitutional imperative or selective interpretation?
Our constitutional promises and its premises have been flattened into a single unadorned and unqualified concept: the pursuit of “transformation”, writes Tony Leon. With debate raging and court challenges looming on the government’s version of “transformation”, you could be forgiven for thinking that the SA Constitution consists of just one section. On 9 June, President Cyril Ramaphosa [...]
Words over action: The costly illusion of the ‘National Dialogue’
Tony Leon critiques South Africa’s proposed R700-million “National Dialogue,” labeling it a costly diversion from meaningful action on the country’s deep-rooted economic and governance crises. The latest scene in the long-running tragicomedy of SA politics features a half-baked old hit called “a national dialogue”. Weary and depressed South Africans confront broken cities and violent farms and [...]
One year of GNU: Power-sharing or power struggle?
Tony Leon considers the first anniversary of South Africa’s coalition government, reflecting on the ANC’s political decline, the DA’s limited power in the partnership, and the challenges of restoring voter faith amid mounting dissatisfaction. On 11 June 2024, exactly one year ago, the DA presented its “framework agreement” for a coalition government to govern South Africa [...]
To BEE or not to BEE if there is no economic revolution
Tony Leon reflects on the ANC’s unwavering commitment to black economic empowerment (BEE) despite the stark contrast between its ideals and outcomes. Add two ANC faves, indigenisation and transformation, into a Shakespearean soliloquy and the result might be, “To BEE or not to BEE that is the question.” While Hamlet hemmed and hawed with deep-felt uncertainty [...]
Unintended ‘ambush’: Will it spark action on crime and economic ideology? GalleryUnintended ‘ambush’: Will it spark action on crime and economic ideology?
African National Congress (ANC), American Politics, Being There, Corruption, Cyril Ramaphosa, Democratic Alliance, Donald Trump, EFF, International Politics, John Steenhuisen, South African Politics, Trump, World Politics
Unintended ‘ambush’: Will it spark action on crime and economic ideology?
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent encounter at the White House revealed that South Africans have all succumbed to “Trump derangement syndrome” in varying different degrees, writes Tony Leon. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa went to the White House on a “working visit” to meet the US president and nothing much happened. No one in the world, least [...]