We’ve been told for some time that coalition politics will become the new normal for South Africa’s highly contested political battleground, and it would be easy to make the argument that coalition politics is already the status quo if we’re looking at the past two municipal elections in 2016 and 2021 respectively.
What would be new is a coalition government nationally, led by someone who is not part of the governing ANC – who has won every national election with over 50% of the vote since 1994.
It doesn’t take an election pollster to spot the trend, the ANC’s support nationally has been dipping in successive elections for some time now.
So, while John Steenhuisen’s recent trip to Ukraine as a pseudo war correspondent drew criticism and mockery in some corners it could be the opening salvo in his bid to become the first non-ANC president of the country.
Adriaan Basson writes the DA’s time and effort should be spent on its support bases where it desperately needs to sure up its support, increase its appeal to a broader coalition of voters and stop haemorrhaging black political leaders.
But Steenhuisen’s visit to Ukraine has also ensured his party is on the right side of history, contends Basson, adding that when voters head to the polls in 2024 they’ll take note that Steenhuisen stood with the people of Ukraine while Cyril Ramaphosa shook hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS event.
Meanwhile, on the business front, there has been some interest in the massive salaries that certain chief executive officers are earning for running some of SA’s largest companies.
But Steven Friedman argues that there is a limit to how much someone can spend, and it comes in at way below the levels that executives are paid in South Africa. Friedman breaks down the arguments justifying massive CEO paychecks while detailing what bloated salaries are doing to contribute to the ever-widening wealth gap and inequality in South Africa.
Here’s a round-up of opinions, editorials, and in-depth articles we’re reading:
Let’s be brave like Johnnie… – The Citizen (for subscribers)
JUSTICE MALALA | What lies ahead? ANC is now so corrupt, it can’t even see it’s wrong – Sunday Times Daily (for subscribers)
EDITORIAL: Public-sector pay talks may take a long time – Business Day (for subscribers)
BUSISIWE MAVUSO: Pushing back financial close for renewable energy bids is fatal – Business Day (for subscribers)
SA tourism faces tough competition on its road to recovery – The Citizen (for subscribers)
After Zondo findings, what will ANC do about ‘Gupta Minister’ Mosebenzi Zwane? – Daily Maverick
