Tony Leon on what he’s learnt The former leader of the DA launches the three-city book tour of his latest title this week: a collection of political war stories called Being There: Backstories from the political front. Interview by Dominique Herman “I HAD a brief career as a lawyer, I had a brief career as an [...]
Backstories from Political Front In Being There, Leon reflects, too, on the nostalgia we often feel, through pain and pride, of childhood, school and the many ‘what ifs’ which inform a well-lived and varied life on the frontlines of South Africa and its history-in-the-making. And how a wrong turn, or too few votes, can change the [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9eEpGjsJkU
‘The metrics on which any embassy should be judged, in my opinion, is what have they done to the trade balance, has it improved on their watch,’ says the former ambassador and politician. https://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-podcasts/moneyweb-midday/tony-leon-on-trade-trump-and-diplomacy-what-hed-do-as-ambassador/
For many years, South Africa was seen as a poster child for peaceful reconciliation and the triumph of good over evil. The “Rainbow Nation” image brought tourism, international investment, and major global events such as the 2010 World Cup. But beneath the glitz, there was a darker side: grinding poverty, widespread corruption, violent xenophobia, and [...]
For 29 days in June, South Africa was gripped by a political drama. eNCA goes behind closed doors to uncover the make-or-break moments that forged the government of national unity. https://www.enca.com/shows/29-days-june-annika-larsen-special-report
Realpolitik - or the triumph of ruthless pragmatism in pursuit of national ends - is a word correctly associated with Germany's "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck, whose 19 years in office (1871-1890) forged the modern German state. Popularly, but apparently incorrectly, attributed to Bismarck is the aphorism: "Anyone who loves the law or sausages should never [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wa-IgRG4iA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WlTelEWlabo
