Curbing SONA Opulence Amid Poverty, Unemployment Crises

Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu|Published

SONA and SOPAs should be used to set the government’s agenda, not to demonstrate unnecessary opulence and extravagance, says the writer.

KwaZulu vs KwaZulu-Natal: the name change debate dividing South Africa

ZamaNtungwa Khumalo|Updated

The proposed renaming of KwaZulu-Natal to KwaZulu has sparked intense debate across South Africa. This analysis explores the four main positions that have emerged ...

2922 days of Ramaphosa's promises and economic stagnation

Sandile Mdadane|Published

President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2922 days in office have been marked by unfulfilled promises and economic decline. This critical analysis examines his leadership journey ...

Beyond the KZN name: recognising diverse ethnocultural communities in SA

Nqolokazi Nomvalo|Published

The debate over renaming KwaZulu-Natal isn't merely symbolic—it strikes at the heart of post-apartheid reconciliation. Attorney Nqolokazi Nomvalo examines how the ...

The Zulu nationalism myth: how political elites weaponise identity in South Africa

Nco Dube|Published

Zulu nationalism is resurging in South African politics, but is it a genuine expression of cultural identity or a calculated tool wielded by political elites? This ...

A Political Intervention To Restore The State's Institutional Credibility

Zamikhaya Maseti|Published

President Cyril Ramaphosa's SONA was an attempt to project authority, continuity, and resolve at a moment when both citizens and markets remain uncertain about the ...

World Radio Day 2026: How AI can enhance, not replace, South Africa's radio voices

Nco Dube|Published

As World Radio Day 2026 focuses on AI's role in broadcasting, Nco Dube explores how artificial intelligence can enhance South African radio without sacrificing its ...

The 81% crisis: Why early literacy and numeracy skills cannot wait

Amoré Pretorius|Updated

With 81% of Grade 4 South African students unable to read for meaning and youth unemployment exceeding 46%, strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy aren't ...

SONA 2026: will Ramaphosa choose courage over continuity?

Nco Dube|Published

As President Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his second SONA under the Government of National Unity, South Africa stands at a crossroads. While load shedding has ended, ...

Confronting the hard truths of post-Madiba South Africa

Published

As South Africa prepares to mark 36 years since Nelson Mandela's release from prison, this reflective piece examines the tension between his vision for the nation ...

Is renaming KwaZulu-Natal the right priority?

T Markandan|Published

King Misuzulu kaZwelithini's proposal to remove 'Natal' from KwaZulu-Natal has ignited a heated debate about colonial legacies, priorities, and progress. A reader ...

Public funds wasted on housing for removed MK Party MPs

SIMON T DEHAL|Published

A concerned reader calls for swift action to evict three former MK Party MPs who continue to occupy parliamentary accommodation despite no longer serving in Parliament, ...

Steenhuisen's Resignation Shatters DA's Facade of Leadership Superiority

Dr. Reneva Fourie|Published

John Steenhuisen's resignation as the federal leader of the Democratic Alliance raises questions about the party's internal conflicts and its ability to govern effectively ...

Beyond Steenhuisen's exit: the deeper problems facing the DA

Mbali Ntuli|Published

Former DA leader Mbali Ntuli offers a candid insider perspective on John Steenhuisen's departure from the Democratic Alliance leadership, exposing deeper systemic ...

Joburg's Delinquent Leaders' Pushing Residents to the Brink

Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu|Published

Johannesburg is facing a multifaceted crisis, from service delivery failures to political infighting. Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu explores the implications of invoking ...

Beyond Steenhuisen's exit: The deeper problems facing the DA

Mbali Ntuli|Updated

Former DA leader Mbali Ntuli offers a candid insider perspective on John Steenhuisen's departure from the Democratic Alliance leadership, exposing deeper systemic ...

The enemy within: SAPS integrity crisis and its threat to South African democracy

Chris Maxon|Published

South Africa's Police Service is facing more than just resource challenges—it's caught in a dangerous web of internal power struggles, corruption, and institutional ...

The significance of ilobolo: why reversing traditional roles threatens South African heritage

Prince Africa Zulu kaMxhegu|Published

Prince Africa Zulu argues that recent proposals to normalise women paying ilobolo to men fundamentally misunderstand African customs and threaten cultural order. ...

Overcoming Policy Wars A Crucial Test For GNU Ahead of SONA, Budget

Prof. Bheki Mngomezulu|Published

SONA is an important event in the government’s calendar. It sets the tone for what the government will focus on during the current year. As such, it must be devoid ...