Headlines in South African media of Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe having announced his retirement appear to be exaggerated. The 92-year-old did talk about retirement this weekend, and hinted that he one day would retire “properly”, but he did not declare any retirement date. Reports of his so-called retirement, and even his death, frequently make headlines. And […]

The Presidency has responded to a tweet by Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba alleging that President Jacob Zuma’s convoy was involved in a fatal car accident on Friday 18 November 2016. (Please see Update below.) Mashaba’s tweet yesterday states: “I have just received the terrible news that President Zuma’s blue lights brigades killed a friend Solly Moutlana […]

President Jacob Zuma addressed an enthusiastic ANC Cadres Forum Friday in Pietermaritzburg, announcing – amongst other things – that he will volunteer for the ANC when his term of office ends, that the people who accuse him of stealing “are the ones who steal”, and that the West are unhappy with BRICS. Zuma admitted that the ANC […]

PRETORIA – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says decisive action is needed to steer the country from despair to hope, from a narrative of lack to a story of opportunity, from a chronicle of deprivation to a testament of prosperity. “We need greater collaboration among our social partners, capable leadership and a common vision. “We need a […]

South African comedian Trevor Noah has compared SA’s President Jacob Zuma with America’s soon to be President Donald Trump, saying: “When you look at Zuma and Trump, it seems like they’re brothers from another mother.” Speaking on his The Daily Show on Tuesday night, Trevor noted the frightening similarities between Trump and South Africa’s “charismatic, anti-establishment president”; both […]

President Jacob Zuma has asked National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head, Advocate Shaun Abrahams, to provide reasons as to why he should not be suspended. This comes after Abrahams went after Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and two former SARS (SA Revenue Services) colleagues, issuing them with a summons (which came a day after Abrahams met with Zuma at ANC […]

(I wonder, can anyone anywhere be considered an outsider given the implications of the election results for the world at large?) The ongoing protests and occasional riot against Donald Trump’s election are growing tiresome. Imagine for a moment the reaction had Clinton won and Trump’s supporters staged protests or, God forbid, riots. This election confirms the […]

PRETORIA – Eskom CEO – and chief creator of the #SaxonwoldShebeen hashtag that went viral in South Africa – Brian Molefe, has announced that he will voluntarily step down from his position with effect from 1 January 2017. “I have, in the interest of good corporate governance, decided to leave my employ at Eskom from 1 January 2017,” […]

South Africans have taken to social media to support former Public Protector (PP) Thuli Madonsela after the President lashed out at her for a speech given in Stellenbosch yesterday, labelling it “unbecoming” and accusing her of “leaking” audio recordings of her discussions with President Jacob Zuma. The Presidency said on Friday that it was concerned by “continuing […]

Watch below as members of Parliament debate a Motion of No Confidence in Jacob Zuma, brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA). DA Leader Mmusi Maimane has spoken, asking members to work together and put the South African flag first rather than caring about who is yellow, red or blue. The ANC has complained that the […]

The DA announced Wednesday that they have written to the President requesting that he suspend Shaun Abrahams as National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss as it’s “clear” he is “highly questionable and not fit for office”. The DA also said it plans to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill which would make the process for the appointment of […]

If President Jacob Zuma is recalled tomorrow, there will be no immediate general elections, and the African National Congress (ANC) will remain in power. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has set the record straight that it is not asking for a change of regime, but only the removal of the ruling party’s leader. The opposition party recommends that the […]

The South African Rand (ZAR) has taken over, from Mexico’s Peso as the world’s most political currency, according to Bloomberg. Now that the American election campaign has finished, the Rand is the currency most likely to have “the biggest politically driven price swings”. Bloomberg says the Rand is expected to be volatile over the following […]

Reuters) – Republican Donald Trump stunned the world on Tuesday by defeating heavily favoured Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House, ending eight years of Democratic rule and sending the United States on a new, uncertain path. A wealthy real-estate developer and former reality TV host, Trump rode a wave of anger toward […]

South Africans have been celebrating the ‘brilliance’ of former President Thabo Mbeki’s speech Tuesday night, delivered at the Sunday Times Business Top 100 Companies Awards (where Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was named Business Leader of the Year). In a speech in which Mbeki recalled his speeches from 1999 and 2006, he said South Africa has moved from […]

EFF leader Julius Malema remains unapologetic for his racist comments yesterday, posting a tweet today saying “We want our Land now” and sharing a shocking video that appears to show a white farmer pushing a black worker into a coffin. On Monday, Malema told a crowd of hundreds of EFF followers in Newcastle that the land […]

The Motion of No Confidence (in the President) debate will go ahead in Parliament on Thursday, according to the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA said, in breaking news this evening in South Africa, that the secretary of the National Assembly has confirmed the debate will take place on Thursday 10 November 2016. “ANC MPs will […]

GAUTENG – The Presidency has lodged a complaint with the Office of the Public Protector (PP) regarding the leaking of an audio recording of the discussions between President Jacob Zuma and former PP, Advocate Thuli Madonsela. Zuma had initially claimed, on 25 October, that he never met with Madonsela, but was caught out when the […]

NEWCASTLE – EFF leader Julius Malema did not hold back on his feelings for white people today, saying no white person rightfully owns any land in South Africa and hinting that if the land is not given to black people, they may call for ‘slaughter’. Addressing hundreds of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Malema said: “We are not […]

Following the release of the Public Protector’s “State of Capture” report earlier this week, many South Africans from different walks of life have united in their rejection of what the DA refers to as “corruption and plunder by Jacob Zuma and his ruling mafia”. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane lashed out at Zuma and the […]

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma made light Saturday morning of the uncertain future that hangs over his head, saying “I’m not scared to go to prison”. Zuma was referring to allegations of his wrongdoings in the Public Protector’s recently released State Capture Report, which calls for a Judicial Inquiry. Thousands took to the streets of Pretoria […]

South African President Jacob Zuma is running out of options fast. A number of legal missiles are hurtling towards him, in what may have been one of his worst weeks since taking office in 2009. At the same time, the party he is heading, the African National Congress (ANC) is fast unravelling. The processes – […]

Okay, thanks to a massive demand, here are ten more fantastic #SaxonwoldShebeen jokes and memes doing the rounds on social media, and showing South African resilience and humour at its best… For info on the background to this incredible hashtag that just keeps on giving – please see SAPeople’s first Saxonwold Shebeen jokes / meme article (basically, […]

With typical South African humour, social media has presented NPA boss Shaun Abrahams’ explanation in Parliament Friday for why he was at a meeting at Luthuli House – the day before he issued a controversial summons to Pravin Gordhan – into “performance poetry”. Abrahams presence at the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg, at a meeting also attended […]

South Africa’s Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has issued a moving letter of gratitude to his fellow South Africans for all their support following his summons – and withdrawal thereof – by the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority). Here is Gordhan’s letter, in full: On behalf of my family and myself, I wish to thank fellow South Africans from all […]