In today’s opinions, John Matisonn calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a modern-day Mandela and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin a Hendrik Verwoerd, Tim Cohen writes about his displeasure with the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), and Justice Malala writes about the killings in Diepsloot.
Malala writes about the inhumanity shown by a vigilante mob when they killed a Zimbabwean man, Mbodazwe Elvis Nyathi, after going door-to-door in Diepsloot demanding that residents produce identity documents.
Malala outlines how these mobs have been terrorising communities all over Gauteng for the past couple of months.
“Nothing has been done about mobs who now know the state is weak and they can do as they please, including murdering people, and so that is what they continue to do. They are aided and abetted by the police, who now issue statements about crimes that name suspects as being Zimbabweans or Pakistanis.”
Cohen writes about what he understands and doesn’t understand about the PIC’s recent outrage that Absa appointed a white man to the CEO position. Cohen pens that he understands the PIC has a transformative agenda and that he supports it but the outrage shown for Absa’s decision should be the same when one of the PIC’s clients fails.
“…where is that outrage when it comes to being stiffed by its own clients? Just one of many examples: the PIC lent Iqbal Survé about R1-billion to buy the Independent Newspapers Group, which by common acknowledgement hasn’t been paid back. So why has the PIC not perfected its claim? Why not reclaim the asset and let some other black investor give it a shot?”
Matisonn writes that Zelensky has successfully built a global reputation as an ardent defender of his country’s democracy and fighter against the oppression of the Russian state – a remodelling of Mandela. The Ukrainian president has also successfully painted Putin as the villain in this saga, a la Verwoerd.
“This kind of “soft power” was Mandela’s genius. It enabled South Africa to punch above its weight around the world. But these days we seem to have a tin ear. In three UN votes in a row we were unable to find a morally defensible position, and Zelensky will not forget it.”
Here’s a roundup of interesting opinions, analyses, and editorials:
South African banking and the national interest – Ed Herbst, Daily Friend
Time to turn SA’s unemployment nightmare into a bold dream – Mandisa Ndlovu, Mail & Guardian
It has taken just 5 years to steal R1.5 trillion’ – Editorial, The Citizen (for subscribers)
Global trend points to Reserve Bank MPC needing more members – Lukanyo Mnyanda, Business Day (for subscribers)
Mogajane’s competence should be the norm in government, not the exception – Busisiwe Mavuso, Business Day (for subscribers)
Magnitsky Acts kick in as sanctions against Russia echo apartheid boycott – Tony Leon, Business Day (for subscribers)
Operation Dudula: Where is the leadership from our police and politicians? – Mpumelelo Mkhabela, News24 (for subscribers)
