History Matters

How is it that the ANC – the same ANC which prides itself on discipline, the same ANC who fought for the right to protest freely – allows its supporters to run to ruin the name of the party? IOL reports on the recent disruptions at a rally organised in support of Lekota at Orange [...]

Zimbabwe’s parties are close to breaking a deadlock over a power-sharing deal and “history is being made” at talks between President Robert Mugabe and rival Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition MDC said on Wednesday. MDC chief negotiator Tendai Biti, asked by reporters when talks would be concluded, said: “If you pray hard, tomorrow. History is being [...]

If you were taken aback by Sunday’s news headlines of ‘Tutu won’t vote’ then please read the transcript of the full interview here. Newspapers thrive on sensationalism and enjoy cutting out half the story so that you can buy their paper to read the rest, so read the full interview here: tutu-transcript

Mark Gevisser – Businnes day 23 September 2008 IF THE goal of Thabo Mbeki’s resignation speech on Sunday night was to remind South Africans and the world at large what they will be missing when he goes, then he was successful. His is the type of leadership, he made clear, which is neither “gloomy” when [...]

the Constitution determines that a new President must be chosen within 30 days from among the members of the National Assembly, according to the blog Constitutionally Speaking. In the meantime the Deputy President will act as President. Or if she also resigns, a Minister designated by the other members of the Cabinet will act as [...]

President Mbeki made a dignified resignation speech. He used the opportunity to spell out the points of his Presidency for which he wishes to be remembered, and to differ with the opinion expressed by Judge Chris Nicholson in the judgment of 12 September 2008. This judgment gave the Jacob Zuma faction the reason it had [...]

How can the ANC push out Mbeki? A South African president can be removed if two-thirds of Parliament supports a vote outlining he was guilty of a serious violation of the constitution or laws. He can also be deposed through a vote of no-confidence which needs just a majority. But the process is more simple [...]

Fellow South Africans, I have no doubt that you are aware of the announcement made yesterday by the National Executive Committee of the ANC with regard to the position of the President of the Republic. Accordingly, I would like to take this opportunity to inform the nation that today I handed a letter to the [...]

The ousting of Mbeki as President of the ANC at Polokwane was the beginning of the end for Mbeki but it also heralded a turning point for the ANC. Since Polokwane the powerful faction supporting Zuma has been on a roll, axing its way through the ANC, ridding itself of those party bosses who were [...]