SOUTH AFRICA
The best aspect of South Africa’s sixth national election since democracy in 1994 was that it was extremely peaceful, virtually incident free, fair, and credible. The top marks go to the 16 million who cast their votes, many in difficult rural terrain and some in cold, rainy conditions. The downside was that this was the lowest turnout of registered voters since that first seminal democratic election. dailymaverick.co.za/
Lost in the so-called celebrations of democracy is the reality that, despite the passing of the political party funding legislation, voters are none the wiser about the moneybags that bankrolled their parties and what paybacks await the “party blessers” – by Dinga Sikwebu. mg.co.za/
The ANC received fewer votes in 2019 than ever before despite the population being nearly 1.7 times bigger than in 1994. For the leading opposition party, the number of votes the DA received is as dire. news24.com/
Investors all agree that despite the firm mandate from voters, President Cyril Ramaphosa will have to show that he is serious about instituting reform at struggling state-owned entities, Eskom most especially. city-press.news24.com/
The strikers are demanding a wage increase to R250 per day, an end to labour brokering, and the removal of single sex hostels. The employer says it is complying with the National Minimum Wage. groundup.org.za/
“The corruption in Durban had become so brazen, and supported with such brazen thuggery, that eventually the state had to act. For too long we have been saying our cities have now taken over by gangster politicians and mafia – Abahlali baseMjondolo press statement. facebook.com/abahlalibasemjondolo/
The Socialist Revolutionary Workers’ Party in the Western Cape mourns the loss of a founding member, Kevin John French, who lived a life committed to socialism despite the many organisational fractures he lived through, from the SWP to ISM to the Workers’ List, to lastly SRWP. facebook.com/OfficialSRWP/
According to Stats SA’s Labour Force Survey, the unemployment rate increased by 0.5% between the first quarter of 2019 and the last quarter of 2018. mg.co.za/ |
To: President Ramaphosa, the Ministers of Health and Labour, Members of Parliament, CEO’s of Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, Harmony Gold, African Rainbow Minerals, Sibanye Stillwater and TEBA,
