In today’s opinion pages, Qaanitah Hunter writes about the recent policy change by the ANC, which will see at least two of the party’s top six leaders be women while Joburg mayor Mpho Phalatse deserves a pat on the back for stepping in and resolving the school rate hike furore, at least in the interim.
Qaanitah Hunter | Women on top: ANC new gender policies can’t be about proxies – News24 (for subscribers)
Qaanitah Hunter writes that the recent decision by the ANC National Executive Committee to adopt rules requiring that at least two of the party’s top six leaders be women is a step towards gender parity for the party.
But Hunter fears that it may be little more than a quota-filling exercise and that women in leadership positions within the party will still be seen as a proxy for male power as has traditionally been the case in the ANC.
Hunter argues that the elections rules are a step in the right direction and will do much to bring gender parity but it cannot just be a gender proxy exercise and capable and deserving female leaders should be elected to lead the party. Not because they fit the quota or can advance male politicians’ interests but because they are more than able to do the job required. Read more here.
EDITORIAL | Hats off to Joburg mayor for taking charge, but how did it come to this? – Times LIVE (for subscribers)
Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse should be commended for stepping in and resolving the recent outrage from public and private schools after they were charged astronomically new rates when the new financial year started.
“The new law scrapped the education classification that applied to schools, reclassifying state schools as public service properties and private schools as businesses.”
The new laws meant that some state schools were billed up to six times higher while private schools were billed up to ten times higher leaving many schools simply unable to pay the rates with some on the brink of having to close their doors.
But Phalatse has announced that the rate increases will now be capped at 5% in the interim while the city renegotiates with Cogta to ensure that rate increases are fair and do not unduly burden ratepayers. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
South Africa’s spiralling social crisis – ‘act now or watch the powder keg explode’ – Daily Maverick
EUSEBIUS MCKAISER | We can reject the ANC and still demand an anti-racist, economically just society – Times LIVE (for subscribers)
EDITORIAL: Cash-flush Prosus keeps capital discipline – Business Day (for subscribers)
PAUL HOFFMAN: Exacting accountability from banks that coddled state capture – Business Day (for subscribers)
Carol Paton | Govt’s BEE procurement regime puts heavy tax on SA – Fin24
IN-DEPTH | Zondo Commission carries more legal weight than a typical inquiry – experts – News24
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